Paul laughs, but it holds something other than humour which causes me to stand up straight and face him. “Sorry, Brooke. I just had to come back and grab a bit of work to take home over the weekend.”
There is something off about him. His eyes are wide but focused and his stance is tense but determined. The hair on the back of my neck stands up as I glance around the parking lot. I don’t see his car.
My breathing is laboured as my heart speeds up even faster. My throat goes tight and I know, with every fibre in my being, that I have to get the hell out of here.
“No worries. Be quick though, because security will be here soon to lock the building up,” I tell him as I make my way to my car. I know this isn’t true, and hope he can’t hear the tremor in my voice. I pray it’s the warning he needs.
Why didn’t I accept Saxon’s offer of a reserved parking spot closer to the elevators? It’s never been a thought for me as I’ve always had Saxon work late with me. Even when he stayed late, he would always walk me to my car. Why did I stay late by myself?
I’m feet away from my car, and I’m pulled to a stop. Paul has a tight grip on my wrist, and I know I’m in trouble. My legs are numb and it takes all my strength to stay standing.
“What’s the rush, Brooke? Maybe we can go somewhere? Get a drink?” His words are laced with innuendo, and his eyes speak volumes of what he’s not saying.
Straightening my shoulders, I pull every bit of bravery in me together and meet his gaze with determination. “Maybe another time, Paul. It’s been a long week, and I’m really very tired. I just really want to head home for an early night.” I can do this. Be strong, Brooke.
I try to pull myself from his hold, but Paul only tightens his grip on my wrist. “How will I ever get you alone another time, Brooke? Saxon never leaves your fucking side.” The disgust in his tone and his nails digging into my wrist tell me this isn’t going to be as easy as I’d thought.
All my bravado drains away as I sway back into my passenger door. “Please,” I plead. I don’t know exactly what I’m begging for, but I know I want mercy.
“Do you think I don’t know what’s going on between you two? You’re fucking him, aren’t you?” he seethes.
Tears fall down my cheeks and my body relaxes as resignation resonates through me. I know no one is in the building. I know security won’t be coming. I know no one is going to be looking for me, and I know how this is going to end.
Paul leans in, only inches between our faces. “You’re fucking him, aren’t you?” he spits, saliva spraying my face.
“N … N … No” I say, leaning back, flattening my body against the car.
Pain shoots through me as Paul’s hand comes down hard across my face. “Don’t fucking lie to me,” he says through clenched teeth. I scream out and grab my cheek in shock.
Staring at Paul wide-eyed, I know this is going to be worse than I thought, worse than I could possibly imagine. But I can’t go down without a fight. After everything I’ve been through and everything I’ve fought for I can get through this.
Paul leans into me, pushing his hard-on into my stomach and I still.
“I want you, Brooke. I have wanted you since the first day I saw you,” he whispers into my ear.
Revulsion flows through me. Using all my strength I bring my knee up and make contact, causing him to release his grip on my wrist. Trying to escape, I swing my handbag across his face, dropping it to the floor before turning to run.
I only make it a few paces before Paul latches onto my hair, pulling it hard and dragging me to the ground. I scream out in pain as I hit the concrete headfirst. Before I know it, Paul is straddling me and backhands my face once more, sending it to the side.
“Don’t fucking try that again.” Tears blur my vision as they fill my eyes quicker than they fall. Paul leans down into my face. “I will have you, Brooke. If you would’ve cooperated we could’ve gone somewhere nicer, at least in the back of your car. I know how you like fucking in a car.”
What? How does he know that? Has he been watching us? Blood pools in my mouth and before I can think better of it I spit it straight in his face. He rears back, and I know instantly it wasn’t a smart move.
He wiggles down my body and starts pulling at my pants, struggling with the button and zipper. With his focus on undoing my pants his hold loosens on me and with a strength I didn’t know I possessed, and know comes only from the adrenaline of my fear, I begin kicking my legs. I kick with everything I have in me, thrashing about like a wild animal. Paul’s eyes go wide in shock, and he grabs at my legs, trying to still them.