“What?” I almost growl the world because I’m seriously losing my temper with this jerk.
“That blondes are dumb.” The sneer on his face deepens, only making him look more arrogant.
As if that’s possible.
Having had enough of this creep, I try to pry his fingers away from my arm with my right hand, and when it doesn’t work, only making him chuckle, I dig my nails into his skin.
“Fuck,” he snaps, but at least his fingers spring loose, and I use the moment to put as much distance between us as I can. Sprinting down the trail, I’m only aware of the fact that I have to get back to the campus, not having any time to think about my emotions or what just happened.
I’m so freaking focused on running as fast as I can that I let out a scream when Grayson plows into me from behind.
Shit, he’s faster than me.
Wrapping his arms around me from behind, he drags me off the trail. Being dragged backward, it feels as if the woods are swallowing me whole as the trees close in around me.
Oh, God. This is bad. Really bad.
I start to struggle in his hold, doing my best to throw my body forward to where the trail is. I can’t let him drag me into the woods. God only knows what will happen then.
While struggling, I accidentally slam the back of my head against his chin, but it works because his arms slacken their hold on me and I manage to dart forward.
My breaths explode over my dry lips, burning down my throat while my heart is pounding like crazy in my chest.
Run, Layla!
My panicked inner-voice spurs me on as I rush over the unsteady ground while dodging trees.
Roots slow me down, and feeling frantic and distressed, a cry escapes me when Grayson grabs hold of my ponytail.
“You’re asking for trouble,” he growls while hauling me back.
I lose my footing and crash into the hard ground. Within seconds, Grayson is on top of me, making fear explode through my body. Pinning me down with his weight, he grabs hold of t-shirt and rips it in the front which exposes some of my sports bra. His mouth comes brutally down on mine and not thinking twice, I sink my teeth into his bottom lip. I get the desired reaction as he pulls away.
Brushing his thumb over the broken skin, he glares down at the blood on his finger.
“Bitch, you actually bit me?”
“You’re sick,” I scream angrily as I crawl away from him. I climb to my feet when he grips hold of my shoulder. Fear and anger swirl inside of me, creating a dizzying storm of emotions. He raises his hand, and before I realize what’s happening, the clammy skin of his palm connects with my cheek.
I hear the slap, but it takes a stunned moment before I feel the sting spread over the side of my face.
A stunned moment in which he grabs hold of the front of my torn t-shirt while raising his hand again.
But it’s only a moment that’s quickly shoved aside by a rage I’ve never felt before.
He slapped me.
Seeing red, I bring my knee up between us. When it connects with his groin, I feel some of the vulnerability he made me endure, give way to courage and determination to save myself.
Bending over with his hands cupping his groin, he lets out a pain-filled groan.
“Don’t ever touch me again,” I hiss enraged before turning around and quickly making my way back to the trail.
As I reach the trail, I hear his footsteps crunching right behind me, and it only spurs me on to push harder. Just before the bridge which leads to the back of the restaurant on campus, I hear Grayson roar, “You’re going to pay for that!”
His hand smacks the back of my head, and as I lose my footing, he shoves me forward, making me fall onto my knees. The impact shudders through my body, and it burns where the skin has been scraped off my kneecaps.
Before I can manage to get up, Grayson grabs hold of my ponytail and yanking me to the side, his fist connects with my jaw, right beneath my ear. A buzzing sound fills my hearing, and a sharp pain shoots through my head.
Dazed, a desperate feeling bleeds into my soul.
Get up and run away.
The words lend strength to my legs, and as I push up, I blindly lash out, scratching every surface of exposed skin I can find. Halfway up, I somehow manage to head butt, Grayson. The impact only dazes me more, but I refuse to give in to the frenzied terror whirling in my chest.
As I repeatedly lunge forward, hitting and clawing at Grayson, I feel animalistic. I feel the need to inflict as much pain on him, as he has inflicted on me. I want him to feel the same fear and vulnerability he made me feel by trying to use his strength as a man against me.