There aren’t many places to run on this boat. My choices are to jump overboard or head down into the below decks. I decide to head down, knowing he’ll catch me if I jump into the water.
There are six steps down that lead down to a short hallway and one door. I pop the door open and then throw it shut, slamming my body against the door as I flip the lock. I press my ear against the door, listening carefully.
I listen for his footsteps down the stairs or in the hallway, but I hear nothing.
Strange.
I hold my breath, thinking the sound of my breathing is affecting my ability to hear, but I still hear nothing. Then again, Langston can move silently.
I expect him to start kicking down the door any second now, but he doesn’t.
He’s messing with my head; I think, after twenty minutes have passed, and he hasn’t made any attempt to come after me.
I slink to the floor and pull my knees to my chest as I continue to rest my ear against the door, waiting.
“Waiting for me?” Langston says from behind me.
I jump.
It’s too late—Langston has me pinned to the door.
“How did you get in here?”
“I have to have some secrets,” he winks at me as he growls and pins my hands above my head. My hips are trapped against the door with his.
“Don’t even think about trying to knee me again.”
He leans in close, and I bite at his lip. “How about if I bite?”
“I can handle the biting,” he gruff.
Kiss me, I think.
Our naked bodies are pressed against each other, and even though we fucked all night and again this morning, I can’t get enough. Maybe it’s because I know our time is running out, or maybe it’s because it’s him.
He possesses my body as he breathes into me. His nostrils flare—maybe in anger, or maybe in preparation for another attack.
I feel the familiar wetness drip between my legs. I can’t believe I’m getting turned on from him manhandling me, even knowing that what he’s doing now is just the tip of what’s to come.
He steps back and yanks me away from the door before he kicks once hard against the door. The door falls easily. If only our hearts broke as easily.
He grabs my wrists, but I’m able to slip one out.
He pulls.
I pound on his back with my free fist and dig my heels into the ground, making it almost impossible for him to drag me out of the room.
He murmurs something in a gruff voice I can’t make out.
Then he yanks me to him in one jolt.
I move my punches to his head, determined not to let him tie me up. If he wants to hurt me, he’s going to have to do it while I’m free.
He shakes his head. “You’ll never learn. You’re mine, huntress. You hunt while I go in for the kill. Tonight, you’re the one I kill.”
He lets go of my wrist, and I know what he’s going to do. It’s too late, though. He’s faster than me.
I try to run back into the room, but he grabs my calves and flips me over his shoulder.