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My eyes bulged, and fear swirled in the form of stomach cramps. God, the way he was towering over me. It made me want to shrink into nothing. Curl away from his menacing glare. I wouldn’t. I was done being a doormat for men.
“Exactly. We’re no good for you, Thea. Get your shit packed up in that piece of shit van and drive far away. Don’t look back,” he said.
No.
He growled it.
It made my spine fucking shiver. I was trembling like a leaf, but wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of cowering. I squared my shoulders, steeling myself for a fight. Then, I jabbed him in the chest with a single finger.
“You think I’m the one that can’t handle this, Calder. But it’s you. You’re the one too scared to let anyone in. I’m not going anywhere. This is my home,” I said.
Then, I stormed off toward my house to get away before I did something stupid, like kiss the oaf. What was wrong with me? Did other people get off on fear? Did they become aroused by the idea of danger looking at them through the rearview mirror?
I needed a cold shower. Stat.
Hendrix: Good morning, kitten. Make sure you’re drinking enough water today. It’s going to be a hot one out there.
Thea: Hey Hendrix. Thanks for waking me up. I really needed a five am text.
Hendrix: Shit, sorry. I’ll make sure it’s later tomorrow. When do you normally wake up?
Thea: ….
Thea: ….
Thea: Why? Do you plan to send me more wake-up texts?
Hendrix: Parker doesn’t wake up early enough to do it. Just making sure you’ve got the attention you need to start your day.
Thea: Wow. You’re such a good friend.
Hendrix: Thank you, kitten. You coming over for dinner tonight? Parker is grilling.
Thea: Maybe. Thanks for the invite.
Hendrix: Most welcome. See you later, alligator.
Chapter Seventeen
Thea
I scratched at the bug bite on my elbow. I still hadn’t gotten around to looking at the air conditioning unit, so the bar was basically like a giant sauna in here.
I was baking, my skin practically melting off as sweat dripped from me in every place imaginable. I smelled like a mixture of a sub shop and musky air.
The electrician who came yesterday fixed my wiring issues. I now had full working lights, and I was going to go home and watch youtube videos to figure out the A.C. By this time tomorrow, we’d be standing in an icebox.
My earbuds were in, and I was rocking out to some music when a hand gripped my wrist. My skin prickled with dread and I let out a screech as I was pulled back into a hard chest. My heart pounded so hard that I couldn’t concentrate on anything other than trying to get free from whoever was holding me.
My fight response was in full mode. I hated to be startled, and this was pulling fear from the pit of my stomach. I screamed, helpless and afraid, but no sound came out. My throat ached as I tried to get words out.
I’d been on edge ever since Calder drove me home two nights ago. When he left, I’d showered, climbed into bed, and came to thoughts of him dominating me. The shame I felt for touching myself, for being turned on by him. Was I cheating on the arrangement I had with Parker and Hendrix for thinking of Calder while I pleasured myself? And why the fuck was my sex drive so high?
Strong arms wrapped around my stomach and my headphones fell to the ground, scattering and bouncing on the wood. They chimed like pennies, and I focused on the sound.
“It’s just me, baby. It’s Hendrix.”
His voice was soothing, and it helped my beating heart calm. I inhaled a large breath of air and my body instantly relaxed against Hendrix’s chest.
