She narrowed her eyes. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
I blew out a breath. “Look, I hate to break it to you, but Zack’s had opportunities to kiss me and hasn’t taken them. Now, since it’s my birthday, can we please change the subject?” Hoping she’d move on, I examined a bottle of Black Cherry nail polish. But my thoughts strayed back to Zack. He didn’t seem to hate me anymore. If he did, he wouldn’t be shielding me from Daniel. But did he like me?
“Ha! You do like him. I knew it.” A grin spread over Maya’s face. “I can totally tell by your expression.”
Busted. But I kept up the ruse and rolled my eyes. “Let’s get to class.” I headed out without waiting for her reply.
† † †
Zack wasn’t waiting for me after my last class. I stood outside the door and wondered how long he’d be delayed and whether I should stay put or meet him at his car. By the time I realized Zack wasn’t going to show, only a handful of people milled about. Being the last one in the hallway all alone didn’t seem smart.
Without warning, the energy around me shifted. The back of my neck tingled and I had the creeps in a big way. After one last scan for Zack, adrenaline pumping, I made a beeline for the exit. The urge to get far away from Daniel drove me as I focused on the double doors at the end of the corridor. Careful not to speed and attract attention, I kept a brisk pace.
The double doors loomed ahead a few yards. As I rushed past a classroom, a hand snaked out and clamped onto my arm, knocking me against the doorway and dragging me through. I knew it was Daniel by his scent, which was much stronger now, but different somehow.
My heart beat faster and my legs trembled with the certainty that something was really wrong. The kind of wrong that gave women nightmares and made them take self-defense lessons or buy mace.
With more force than I was prepared for, Daniel shoved me into the corner of the empty room, flattening my back against the wall and pressing his hand over my mouth. His lips curled and his face twisted into a sneer. Surprised by his iron grip, I turned mute. Not that I could talk anyway, since his hand worked well as a gag. When did he get so strong?
“Finally, we can talk in private. I’ve missed you, baby. God, you smell good.” He buried his nose in my hair and inhaled at my temple. “I’m going to remove my hand now, but if you try to scream, I’ll stop you before you even get started. Understand?”
“Mm-hm.”
Daniel exuded power, an unmistakable energy, very much like Zack. Why hadn’t I realized something was odd about Zack before? That was why I always knew when he was around. It was a particular energy he alone emitted. And now Daniel.
My breathing came in quick gasps when Daniel slowly freed my mouth. If I tried to escape, could I? Or should I wait for a better opportunity? I had no idea how strong Daniel was or if he could kill me.
“Don’t be scared, Autumn. I won’t hurt you unless I have to. Zack, on the other hand, well, that also depends on you.” His moist breath coated my cheek and ear lobes. “I love you so much, Autumn. We can be happy again if you just stop fighting me and let it happen.” He cupped my face, his eyes pooling.
He loved me? In a seriously twisted way, maybe. “Daniel, you don’t want to do this. You don’t want me.”
His chin quivered a moment and he smiled sadly. “You’re all I think about.”
“What you’re asking is impossible. I can’t give you what you want and you can’t make me happy. I’m sorry.”
“Then we’ll be miserable together.” He rested his forehead against mine. “I told you before, no one else can ever touch you again.”
Daniel was really scaring me now and not fighting wasn’t getting me anywhere. I clenched my fist and struck, aiming for his stomach. But at such a short distance, I couldn’t build up any real momentum. He grunted on impact and scrambled to capture my hand. When my limbs evaded him, one of his hands wrapped around my throat, cutting off my air, while his other hand snaked under my skirt and up my thigh.
My vision darkened and just when I thought I was close to passing out, he loosened his grip around my neck. I gasped as oxygen rushed into my lungs.
“Be a good girl now.” His lips descended toward mine.
“Daniel,” I heard Zack growl.
Oh, thank God. I’d never been so happy to see Zack.
“You need to leave.” Daniel scowled over his shoulder at the intruder. “Getting rid of me won’t be so easy this time.”
“Hang on a sec.” Zack held up his hands, palms out. “You’re right. Things aren’t like they were before.”