Two steps is as far as I get before he grabs me by the arm and spins me back to him. His cheshire smile is deceptive, intentionally bright under the attention of the restaurant. Eyes dark and bloodshot, he leans in. “Let’s not let the night end like this.”
I discreetly remove myself from his hold and step back, sucking in a long, slow breath. “No,” I grit out, tone venomous.
The sound of his sinister chuckle sends waves of discomfort coiling in my belly. He stumbles then rights himself on his feet. If I had to guess, he probably had a drink before I got here. Make thatFour-Drinks-Deep Daniel.
He lifts both hands in surrender. “Whatever you say. Nightcap forone, I guess. Have a good night.” He makes for the back of the restaurant where the restrooms are, and I dash out the front door.
I pass through the alley, ready to put this date behind me.
Well past sunset, the sky is dark, leaving the parking lot only sparsely illuminated by towering light poles. On instinct, I check my surroundings and keep a steady pace toward my car. With my keys slotted between my knuckles, I press the unlock button. My SUV’s headlights blink up ahead.
CRASH!
The sound from somewhere behind me pierces the night like a crack of lightning. My heart pounds. I look over my shoulder and see the restaurant’s emergency exit door bouncing off the building’s brick exterior. Daniel appears in the space between two cars.
I pick up my pace. Praying the shadows conceal me enough to make it to my vehicle, I try to move on quiet feet though my stilettos make it difficult.
“Hannah! Wait!”
His heavy footsteps gain speed and I launch into a run. Panic and adrenaline propel me forward, but he closes in too quickly.
“Would you just stop?!” he shouts.
I squeeze my hand into a fist around my keys and dart between my SUV and the sedan parked beside me. My free hand reaches for my door handle when he hauls me back by the elbow. My clutch flies off my wrist, landing somewhere at my feet.
My entire body whirls on him, and I put all my weight into the punch I throw at his face. Keys scrape down his cheek. He grunts in frustration as I attempt to deck him again, but he catches my wrist and shoves me against my car with athud.
“So, it’s gonna be like that, huh?” he spews.
My wrist locked in his grip next to my head, my other hand pushes at his chest. But I’m not strong enough.
I yell. I scream. His hand covers my mouth, and I bite the flesh between his thumb and forefinger. He yanks his hand away, eyes blazing. I shout for help again, fighting relentlessly to push him back, but he’s so heavy against me my toes barely touch the ground.
He’s too close, reeking of alcohol, face and hands clammy withsweat. I feel his erection grinding into my hip, and tears well behind my eyes.
“Stop! Please!” I beg. “Help!” I can’t hear my own voice. My throat is dry, vocal cords fractured under the pressure.
Stay calm. Don’t panic.
I growl, scraping my teeth together as I put all my strength into shoving him off me, but I can’t. He’s too strong. His hand locked around my wrist is merciless, and my attempts to fight back only make him squeeze harder.
He shifts his position just for a moment and my foot finds the ground. I jerk my body to the side, take the opening, and swiftly knee him in the groin.
Finally, he stumbles back. Air rushes into my lungs as I move to rip off my shoes so I can run. I only get one removed before Daniel’s moved past the injury I inflicted. Like a bull ready to charge, his terrifying eyes lock with mine a beat before he launches at me.
Keep fighting.
He pins me to the car and I scream again. Metal digs into my skin around my keys. I swing my fist but he catches it and slams it against the window at my back. My ankle buckles under the pressure of only wearing one heel, but I don’t even register the pain.
I brace my forearm against his neck to try and shove him off. It doesn’t work. I claw at his eyes, but he only locks my wrist in his grasp and slams it against the window along with my other hand.
He presses his chest into me, panting gin-soaked breaths on my neck. Sweaty grunts and groans stain my skin as he bucks his hips. I turn my head away, crying out for someone, anyone to hear me.
It’s so dark here.Why the hell did I park so far from one of the parking lot lights?
Sensation wanes in my fingers from the pressure of his grip on my wrists. His knees force my legs apart, his erection pressing into the flesh of my upper thigh.
Thisfuckingdress. I hate it.