Romance Me: A Collection Of Standalone & First In Series Books Read online

  Finally, sleep found him.

  In the morning, when the sun shone through the window, Anthony found his arm stretched over her midsection. He carefully moved it but woke Cassandra. She jumped the instant she realized he had been holding her. "Were you spooning me?"

  Anthony stood and put his serious face back on. "I was not spooning you. It was fucking cold in here and if you haven't noticed, there aren't any blankets. Haven't you ever heard of body heat to keep us warm?"

  Cassandra shook her head at him and he knew he sounded stupid. Anthony returned to the table. He opened the flip phone but there weren't any missed calls. He flopped in the chair and hoped the boss would call soon.

  Chapter 5

  CASSANDRA SAT ON THE mattress and followed Anthony with her eyes. He seemed frustrated and she wondered why. She recalled him complaining about their location, heard him on the phone with someone else, and thought he wasn't the one in charge.

  "Are you doing this for someone else?" She couldn't believe how brave she acted but needed to know who was out to hurt her.

  "Shut up," he snapped again. Cassandra figured out those were his go-to words when he didn't have an answer for her.

  She slid closer to the edge of the bed but didn't get off in fear of making him angry. "If you let me go, I swear I won't say a thing." Anthony turned and faced her, and she thought she saw the wheels in his head spin. "Please Anthony," she continued to plead. "You know it's the right thing to do."

  Anthony rushed across the room and pushed her back onto the mattress. "I said, shut the fuck up."

  Cassandra crawled to the other side and covered her face. She didn't understand her raging emotions. He'd been mean to her, yet Cassandra longed to feel his hands on her again. She wondered what would have happened if she didn't freak out when she woke with him wrapped around her?

  She imagined him trailing his hand up her abdomen, resting beneath her swollen breasts before moving up to pinch her nipple between his fingers. Cassandra could feel her panties moisten at the thought. She rolled over and looked at him, slouched in his chair. An image of her straddling him and running her fingers through his hair burned in the back of her eyes, and she couldn't help but grin.

  "What the hell are you smiling for?" His harsh words freed Cassandra of her thoughts.

  She realized it had been a couple of days without her medication and assumed it caused her hormones to act up. "I will go crazy without my medication. Can I have it?"

  Anthony snickered but didn't answer. She fussed on the bed and stood to walk toward him. One way or the other, Cassandra wanted an answer. "You're better off without them," he finally replied.

  "No, I'm not." She choked on her words. She couldn't figure out why he'd keep her from something she needed. Cassandra sat back down and cried.

  "Go ahead," he instructed. "Cry it out, get it out of your system. Soon you'll realize I'm right about them."

  Cassandra didn't have time to argue with him. The flip phone vibrated, and he jumped to answer it. His thumbs maneuvered around the keypad and she knew he received a text. Saying nothing to her, he shoved the phone in his pocket and unlocked the door.

  By the time she realized he was leaving, it was too late. Cassandra jumped up and tried to get out the opened door, but Anthony slammed it shut and locked it from the other side. She heard his footsteps walking down the hall and she wondered how long he'd leave her there alone.

  Maybe that was his plan, she wondered— to leave her there to rot and die. Cassandra looked to the broken window and grabbed his chair. She placed the chair up against the wall and then climbed on top. Someone had to be nearby who could hear her cries for help. Just as she was about to press on the glass, a leg on the chair snapped and Cassandra came crashing down on her ass. Her arm also felt the blunt of the fall and got scraped. It hurt when she tried to move it.

  She cried again in defeat. Cassandra knew she couldn't let a sore arm keep her from trying to get help. She attempted to stand again, but the sound of the door opening stopped her.

  "What the fuck?" Anthony screamed and raced to her. "I can't leave you for a freaking minute, can I?" He reached down and yanked her off the floor. His fingers wrapped around her sore arm and she winced in pain.

  "I'm sorry," she told him. Cassandra knew better than to make an excuse. It didn't matter anyway, she thought, because it had been obvious what she tried to do.

  Anthony ignored her, locked the door, and then punched the wall in anger. Cassandra froze where he left her, too scared to move. His face turned crimson, and she knew he was about to blow. Just then, Anthony's expression changed, and she could see his ear turning toward the ceiling.

  She heard it too, a footstep. Before she could mutter a sound, Anthony flew across the room and covered her mouth. Cassandra tried to squirm herself free. Her attempt to open the window failed, but perhaps her attempt to get help didn't. Someone was above them, and she had to let them know.

  Anthony held her tight and pulled her over to the mattress. He dove onto it with her in his arms. His grip on her mouth was so tight it caused his fingers to dig deep into her cheeks. She wanted more than ever to scream, but she couldn't.

  Cassandra wiggled beneath him, and he wrapped his leg over her body to try and hold her still. When he realized she could still move, he completely enveloped her and put all his body weight onto her.

  Trapped beneath him, Cassandra felt her tears run down into her ears. Dust sprinkled down from the ceiling as footsteps shook the floor boards above them. Part of her was scared to death, the other part was relieved there was a search for her. She might not die after all, she told herself.

  Sweat from Anthony's brow dripped down on her face. At first it grossed her out. But, by the second drop her hormones had changed again. He was hot, sweaty, and on top of her. Anthony was rough, she was gentle, but the two of them would have burning sex if the opportunity arose.

  A few minutes later, they heard the footsteps fade and a vehicle start outside the building. "Thought for sure I heard something," they heard a man's voice state. "Nothing inside though."

  Cassandra looked to Anthony and for the first time since the footsteps started, she didn't want to scream. He eased up on his grip but remained on top of her. She knew if she'd ever have the chance to make a move, it couldn't wait. She reached up and cupped the back of his head with her hand, then raised her head until her mouth reached his.

  Their lips touched, soft at first, but harder as the seconds ticked away. He pressed into her and bit her lip. She knew he'd been just as hungry for her as she'd been for him. Cassandra opened her mouth and Anthony slid his tongue inside. Lust filled her as he explored the depths of her mouth.

  As Cassandra slid her other hand under his shirt and touched his bare skin, he jerked himself away. "What are you doing?" he screamed. Anthony jumped off the mattress and left her lying there, rejected.

  She watched him tuck the gun into the back of his jeans and then unlocked the door one more time. Cassandra didn't move. All she could think about was the way he made her feel unwanted. This time she didn't cry, she felt too many emotions to know what to do. So, she stared at the ceiling and thought about what she'd done wrong.

  Chapter 6

  THE MORNING AIR HIT Anthony in the face as he stepped outside to check the perimeter and make sure the coast was clear. He knew whoever searched the building was looking for him. Cassandra wanted to scream for help, but he knew they weren't there to look for her. He was the one the state wanted.

  Sweeping the property for any signs of law enforcement was just an excuse for Anthony. He needed a moment away from her to think about what happened. As much as he wanted her to, Anthony never expected Cassandra to kiss him, not to mention a kiss that burned so much desire between them.

  He shook his head and told himself it didn't happen. The boss demanded Anthony to be polite to her, and to keep her safe. He would do that, but he couldn't let Cassandra know. She needed to believe everything that happened
or else all hell would break loose.

  There was no sign of anyone on the property. Anthony slid along the building and kept silent. He almost let out a sigh of relief but heard someone around the corner. He slouched down behind the unkept bushes.

  "I could have sworn I heard something, a crash inside," someone called out.

  Anthony detected at least two people remaining nearby. He held his breath and prayed they wouldn't re-enter the building. He couldn't get to Cassandra fast enough and she would scream if she thought there was hope.

  "We checked," someone with a voice of authority replied. "Probably just an animal that got inside and knocked something over. We're wasting time, let's go."

  Car doors slammed, and tires squealed, telling Anthony they had left. He remained behind the bushes in case it was a trick. A few minutes went by before he crawled to the edge of the building and took a peek, and found the coast clear.

  Cassandra collapsed on the bed when Anthony walked in. She almost hyperventilated from crying. It would have been easy for him to comfort her, but he kept his distance. Five minutes of pleasure wasn't worth all the hell he'd catch if he touched her. Anthony knew he wouldn't be able to just embrace her, not after knowing how she affected him. She needed to know who was in charge, and that was him.

  "Here," he griped as he tossed a cold sandwich her way. "If you didn't act like a nutcase, you could have eaten this when it was hot."

  Cassandra caught the egg and sausage sandwich and unwrapped it. Her mouth was full when she said, "Where did you get this?"

  Anthony recalled the text he received stating someone would drop off the food and a few supplies. He wondered if the searchers saw the accomplice's car and followed it? He made a mental note to tell the boss his goons needed to be more careful. "The box," Anthony answered as he looked down. "Duh."

  Cassandra smirked. He knew what she really meant, but he wouldn't tell her. The less she knew, the better.

  "Thank you."

  Antony felt his cock harden when she spoke. He didn't want her to be sweet to him. His life depended on the operation and didn't want his desires for her to interfere. He reached into the box and pulled out a lukewarm cup. As Antony handed it to her, she looked shocked. She took it and gulped it down. Anthony felt bad. There should have been more food and drinks with them. The boss wanted her taken care of, but did a lousy job supplying them with the things they needed.

  "This is perfect," she said. "Not hot, but I guess that's my fault, too." Cassandra smiled and turned her head away. "How did you know what I like to drink?"

  "I didn't. He did. He knows everything about you."

  "He?" She sat up straight when he mentioned someone else.

  Anthony knew he shouldn't have, but something inside of him didn't want her to hate him. He fired his gun on the concrete ground to let her know he was through with the conversation, and was glad the gun was equipped with a silencer. The bullet landed nowhere near her, but it scared the shit out of Cassandra. "Didn't I already tell you to stop asking questions?" She finished her breakfast with more tears racing down her cheeks.

  ANTHONY WAS AS BORED as Cassandra. He didn't like being caged up and wouldn't have been there if he did. Like the days before, she slept on and off throughout the day. The thought of talking to her for something to do had crossed his mind. The thought of getting to know her scared him.

  A stack of boxes along the wall grabbed his attention. Anthony's curiosity got the better of him and he snooped. Old ledger papers, from when the shit hole building was an actual business, filled most of the boxes. He tossed them aside and continued to open boxes.

  Cassandra heard the noise and woke up. She watched him but said nothing. Anthony thought she finally learned to keep her mouth shut. The bottom of a box gave out and she giggled. It made her cute, but Anthony ignored her. His muscles bulged while moving the box, but Anthony set it on the table to get a better look inside. "Jackpot," he shouted.

  He reached in and pulled out stacks of books. They looked girly to Anthony, and he wondered who would have them in an office. He picked one up and tossed it onto the mattress. Cassandra leaned forward and picked it up.

  "Wow," she sounded happy for the first time. "This is one of my favorites."

  Anthony wasn't surprised. She looked like a bookworm to him. He stood there and watched her expression. He realized she didn't look like a nerdy bookworm, but someone with a good education. "What's it about?" he asked.

  Cassandra told him, but he only pretended to listen. "My father didn't like me reading this when I was younger. I had a copy with me at boarding school until someone ratted me out."

  Anthony paused his search through the boxes and looked at her. "He sent you away to school? Is that why you lived in Europe?"

  Cassandra looked down as if shamed by her father's actions. "Yes. He said it was because I didn't have a mother to watch over me, and he worked a lot."

  Anthony knew she didn't believe the lie any more than he did. Cassandra read, and he dug deeper into the boxes. They were filled with junk, but it gave him something to do. Cassandra screamed. Anthony glanced up and found her tossing the book onto the floor. A spider ran out from beneath it. He laughed at her and continued snooping.

  After moving the boxes, Anthony found a tarp that covered more items. He assumed there were more boxes but was wrong. He found a safe, an old refrigerator, and a television. Bingo, he thought.

  He picked up the TV and walked it to an outlet near the bed. Cassandra looked bewildered. "If this works," he said, "we'll have something to do."

  The television turned on but without cable, it didn't pick up any channels. Anthony left it on and rechecked the unopened boxes for an antenna. Cassandra stared at the snowy screen and covered her ears. He didn't mind when she stood up and lowered the volume. A few minutes later, Anthony found an old-fashioned rabbit ear antenna and hoped it would work.

  Cassandra smiled when a picture appeared. It wasn't the greatest reception, but it worked. Anthony changed the channel to search for something better but couldn't find another. He put it back on the only channel it received but frowned when he realized it aired a daytime soap opera.

  She watched the show, but Anthony could tell she wasn't into it. Cassandra picked the book up again but shook it over the side of the mattress before reading it. Anthony thought about turning the TV off. They weren't watching it and he thought it could be a risk if someone walked by the building. An urgent news report interrupted the show and changed his thoughts.

  "Police are still on the lookout for 32-year-old, Anthony Flint, who escaped from the state penitentiary early on Tuesday morning." Cassandra snapped her head upright and her jaw dropped. Anthony's mug shot appeared on the screen. "The suspect is reported to be armed and dangerous. He was last spotted-"

  He ran to the other side of the room and pulled the plug. His foot came up and kicked the TV until it fell over, shattering the screen. Cassandra jumped up and backed herself into the corner.

  He didn't mean to scare her, although, he was sure the newscast scared her more. The boss would kill him if he found out. "You don't need to see that," he said to her.

  She sat on the bed, pulled her knees into her chest and shivered. "What did you do?"

  "I broke the television." He played dumb to avoid the question.

  "I meant, why were you in prison." She rocked back and forth but didn't take her eyes off him. He wanted her to trust him, but the truth would alarm her.

  "Murder." Was all he could say.

  Cassandra curled up into a ball and squeezed her eyes shut.

  Chapter 7

  "THERE WAS NOBODY THERE. I didn't see anyone," Cassandra chanted, over and over. She ran her fingers through her hair and held her head as she rocked back and forth. She took her pulse. There wasn't a clock around, but Cassandra knew her heart beat right out of her chest and her anxiety levels rose fast. "There was nobody there. I didn't see anyone."

  Anthony had left with a small plastic bag. S
he heard the door lock behind him but this time she felt relieved to be left alone. He killed someone, and she feared she would be next.

  Her face flushed in the hot basement. "There was nobody there. I didn't see anyone," she continued to convince herself.

  "What the fuck are you mumbling over there?" Anthony barged into the room and questioned her.

  He stood by the door and looked up. He had bleached his hair, and she wondered how he did it without running water. Cassandra didn't notice the white washed-out marks on the shirt until he pulled it off his body.

  She couldn't help but stare at the ripples in his abdomen and the trail of hair leading down into his low-cut jeans. The sight of his half naked, toned body produced moisture in her panties. He's a killer, Cassandra cursed herself. She wished she could control her hormones and eased when he put on another T-shirt.

  "I asked you a question," he howled.

  She shook her head. Cassandra thought it was none of his business and didn't want to tell him. Anthony dragged his chair toward her and straddled it. He waited for an answer, but she wouldn't give him one. Cassandra's body trembled, and she knew what would still her. Finally, she replied to him, "If I had my pills, I would be calmer."

  "Fuck, no." Anthony answered. She snapped her head up and listened to him. "I'll tell you why you can't have them, if you tell me what you've been mumbling."

  "There was nobody there. I didn't see anyone," Cassandra repeated, loud enough for him to hear.

  Anthony leaned toward her and grinned. "That's why you can't have those pills."

  Cassandra was confused and protested. "What?" she squeaked.

  "I was there, Cassandra." Anthony spoke to her with a straight face and she realized he knew what she meant by her words.