Page 2 of Embracing the Beat
“Thanks, Brad. I’m sure there are other things you want to do. I can take it from here,” I say, turning from my door to face him.
“I have other things I want to do,” he says with a creepy smile. “But I don’t need to go anywhere to do them.”
He presses close, surrounding me with his thick arms and body odor.
I’m trapped between the solid door at my back and the two-hundred-pound guy whose hands shift behind me to grab my ass. His fingers dig painfully into my flesh.
I yank my guitar case up between us to push him away, but he blocks it with his hip.
“Stop.”
“‘Stop,’” he mimics, chuckling. “Aren’t you cute?”
“I m-mean it.”
He slides his hand down my backside, his fingers reaching under the skirt.
“B-Brad. Stop.”
“You know you want this too, princess. Why else would you dress like you do?”
I squirm between him and the door, trying to dislodge his fingers from yanking at my panties. Turning my head, I search for someone to help me, but there’s no one.
I’m alone.
“I don’t. You t-told me I had to dress like this. Stop.” Freeing a hand, I shove at his chest.
He pushes more of his weight against me and slides one leg between mine. “You could have said no,” he says.
I could have. But I didn’t. Too caught up in wanting to be successful at this, I went along with most of his demands. But not this. My body is still mine, and I won’t sleep with him.
“I’m saying no now.”
He tugs at my underwear again, and the distinct ripping sound is echoed by him groaning in my ear. Then he licks it. Ice freezes in my veins as my heart thunders against my chest.
No!
I’m going to be sick. Air saws in and out of my lungs, but my vision still blurs with light-headedness.
I need to get away.
I push against Brad, but he only grunts.
“That eager for me, princess?”
Bile coats the back of my throat. If I don’t do something, I’m going to end up raped against my motel room door.
Deep breath, Mikey.
I recognize that voice.
West.
Breathe and think.
Brad moves one of his hands to the cup of my top, yanking it aside to pinch my nipple. The bolt of pain steals my breath.
Michaela, you need to breathe. Save yourself.
