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The microwave dinged. I pulled out my fragrant noodles and stuck a fork in. I was determined to enjoy my life. That’s what my mom had done, before her life had been cut short. She hadn’t done half the things on her bucket list, but she’d had a long and varied list. I admired her for that. My mom had lived life as a free spirit. Entirely her way. I was trying to do the same, and I wasn’t letting anything, or anyone, get in the way of that.
And that included my gruff, sexy boss.
My overprotective boss, who was the king of mixed signals.
I chewed on a mouthful of noodles. Right, time for some extreme self-care and relaxation. Maybe I’d have a bubble bath and a glass of wine tonight? Maybe a movie? I ate another mouthful. Or read a sexy romance book in bed?
Swiveling, I pulled a bottle of white wine out of the fridge and set it on the table. A fun song came on the radio, and I boogied across the kitchen to the cabinet to get a wineglass. I’d decorated my wineglasses with these cute little tropical charms around the bases. My favorite was a hot pink flamingo, although the yellow flip flop was a close second.
Then I heard something. A thump?
I turned. It had come from the back of my house. Maybe I was imagining things?
I reached for my cellphone, then flicked off the music.
That’s when I heard more noises. At my back door.
My heart exploded into action, thumping hard. I grabbed the wine bottle off the table and lifted it.
Okay, not the best weapon, but it was something. I clutched my phone in my other hand.
I walked down the hall, staring at the back door.
There was a panel of glass in the center of the wood, and I saw a shadow through it.
“Hey!” I yelled. “I see you. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Suddenly, an arm smashed through the glass. I watched in horror as a hand reached through the gap, heading for the door handle.
Three things hit me at once. First, I couldn’t breathe. Panic and fear shot through me like sludge to my system.
Second, the arm was encased entirely in black.
Three, I knew I should run, but my legs were frozen to the floor.
He pushed the handle and the door started to open. I saw a man wearing a black ski mask.
Finally, my brain and body unlocked. Pulse racing at the speed of light, I screamed and threw the wine bottle.
I heard him grunt and duck. As the bottle smashed, I whirled and ran.
I sprinted through the kitchen. I hit the corner of the cabinet with my hip, and pain burst along my side.
Get somewhere safe.That was all I could think.
I heard footsteps. He was coming after me.
My heart was in my throat as I raced into my bedroom and slammed the door shut. I flipped the lock, but I was very conscious that it was flimsy. I sucked in some harsh breaths.
Not enough. Not enough.
I moved to my lovely wooden dresser that I’d found in a great little secondhand store. I heaved. It moved several inches across the floor.
The door handle rattled.
Fuck a duck. I bit my lip and tasted blood. I shoved with everything I had.
I didn’t want to die.
