Marry Screw Kill(42)

What does Sin expect to do for me anyway? A sad, depressing sigh leaves my lips. He has his entire life ahead of him. Medical school in New York City and possibly a beautiful girlfriend waiting for him there. I have to be realistic for the first time in months.

Other than a few old clothes and books, I have nothing in my possession from my previous life. He had everything in the apartment I shared with my mother put into a storage unit somewhere in Rochester. He’s never even told me the location of the unit. If I knew where my things were stored, I could possibly sell them for a small amount of money. I need the cash to move out of here. Without it, I’m stuck at square one.

Who can I ask to help me leave this house? My mother never told me about her family or my father’s—hell, I don’t even know their names or where they live. I have no way to get beyond the borders of Rochester.

Emma, and my new friend, Sin, have offered their support, but I can’t burden them with my troubles. I need a job, a place to live … and a car. I have no idea what became of the beat-up piece of junk I used to drive. James said he found it inadequate for me. My wallet contains one twenty-dollar bill. I’m not even sure that would be enough for cab fare downtown.

After deciding to properly clean away all the remnants of dinner, I flip the light off over the sink and stand like a statue alone in the darkness. Lost in my thoughts and the dilemma I find myself in, I peer out the large window in front of me and gaze up into the dark sky. James’ house is far from the city’s brightness, so the twinkling stars light up against an inky black. The vastness of the universe stares back at me and I imagine myself as the smallest speck of dust in the cosmos.

I am nothing. I am no one. But there’s someone new who believes the opposite. Sin’s sudden arrival into my life gives me a glimmer of hope that someone is watching out for me after all. I close my eyes and pray the hope will dispel the fear churning inside me.

I grabbed a rope when I was drowning with nowhere else to turn. At the time, the person on the other end seemed to save my life, but now … that lifeline is nothing more than a tangled web entrapping me to a man I am beginning to despise.

But how do I make an escape from James and our wedding that is set to take place in four weeks? And where do I escape to? Since he practically owns this town with his prestige and money, I have nowhere to hide from his reach. Even though the roof over my head is worth millions and the cost of my wardrobe could buy a sports car, I’m more broke than when my mother was alive.

I wipe my fingers under my eyes and will myself not to shed another tear, even though I know it’s futile. I should focus my energy on finding a way out of this labyrinth James has made of my life. Each and every turn seems to lead me back to where I begin.

I place my hands on the sink and my bracelet clinks on the stainless steel. I look down and a diamond’s twinkle catches my eye. James gave me this bracelet a month ago. I cringe when I think of that night.

James came home from the hospital after being on call for over a day. He greeted me in the kitchen with a smile from ear to ear. He never smiled like that, especially after a long shift. I tried to step away from him as he closed the space between us. A spark in his eye worked as a warning that something was afoot.

He pulled me into his arms, but my muscles didn’t relax in his hold. I was waiting for the next shoe to drop and it did when he leaned down, and whispered, “Meet me upstairs in fifteen minutes. I have a present for you.”

He pressed his lips against mine and ravished my mouth with his tongue. When he pulled away and left the kitchen to go upstairs, I caught my breath and worried my lip. I glanced at the clock and watched the minutes go by slowly, my stomach a knotted mess.

I started up the stairs after fifteen minutes and paused outside the open bedroom door. My legs refused to move, but James saw me and called to me. He was lying on the bed naked, propped up on one elbow. Though James was the first man I had seen up close and unclothed, he had the appearance of a man in his prime. Toned arms, defined abs, and long, firm legs made for running. His hair appeared to be wet, so he must have taken a quick shower before I came up. But one item on his body stood out to me, literally—I couldn’t miss his erection as he stroked himself with one hand.

“Come lie down next to me,” James said as he eyed the open space on the bed beside him. “I have something special to give you.”

I buried a laugh as I walked forward. It seemed pretty clear what he was going to give me. I made it to the edge of the bed before he spoke again.

“Now, take off your clothes and come here.” He spoke with an undertone of impatience as he let go of himself and patted the comforter.

I obeyed his command and removed my clothes. His heated stare made me squirm in search of being safe from his eyes. I considered turning around and hiding myself, but James wouldn’t have liked that one bit. I chose to do as he asked to keep him happy. I laid the clothes on the upholstered bench at the foot of the bed and my hands remained at my sides as I fought the urge to cover all my exposed areas.

“Harlow,” James’ stern voice filled the room, causing me to jump, “I will not ask you again.”

I nodded and lowered my head, cowering before him. I climbed on the bed and scooted myself beside him. Bending my knees up, I brought my long hair over my breasts to hide myself from him.

“I don’t understand you being so shy. We’ve been f*cking for weeks now.” I flinched at his words. The reality of them shook me. Fucking. Not making love or even having sex. The hardcore term didn’t set well with me. “Aren’t you the least bit curious about your present?”