I can’t believe that he is so wasted again. Only this time the drastic change in his attitude was terrifying. Her skin began to crawl from repulsion. "I'm not fucking your partner, Logan! You promised me you'd change! I told you, I'm not into those games anymore. You swore to me that I was enough for you—like it was in the beginning! That's why I came back..." Her eyes were swimming with tears.
Shock clouded his face. Without warning, he burst out laughing. The grip on her shoulders softened. "You're not into games anymore!" he mimicked, between roars of laughter. "When did this happen? I go out of my way to make you happy, but what about me? What about your promise to make me happy? One last time you said, remember?" He stumbled backwards, then regained control, his eyes crazed with intoxication.
One last time? She searched those eyes, horrified by the emptiness she found in them.
"No, Logan, I never promised that! I told you I loved you and you were all I needed! That’s what I promised! I'm not playing your sick games anymore. Now get the FUCK off of me!"
She never saw his hand lashing out against her face. The sudden impact stung her skin, a loud ringing deafened her. Why is he doing this to me? How could he hurt me? A scream started to rage inside of her, unable to escape her lips. His hand was brutal upon her mouth, stifling any sound. He pinned her to the bed, his body shaking. "Shut up!" he snarled, unable to hide the hysteria flaring in his face.
Her eyes, huge with disbelief and terror, never left his face. She didn't dare move.
Logan let out a low gasp, a startled look flooding his eyes. "I didn't wanna do that—you know how much I love you. I just want you to keep your promise and come out and get high with us. You don't have to do anything else. Think you can do that—for me?"
She blinked. His eyes softened as he slowly lifted his hand from her mouth. "Good.” He bent down to kiss her. "Now get up and please don't embarrass me again.” He held her hand, pulling her up, his body hard against hers. "And stop crying. You know how it drives me crazy when you cry.”
She made a frantic effort to control her sobbing, attempting to brush the flood of tears away with her fingers. Sniffling, she touched her face as if it would quell the burning. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, a deep red imprint marked her check.
Logan's head was in a fog. Despite his efforts to focus on her face, the blurriness in his eyes prevented it. As his nose started to run profusely, he made futile attempts to wipe it with the back of his hand. She could see traces of cocaine left behind and shivered.
It was beginning to hit him hard. "You know I don't wanna be rough with you. Just be a good girl.” He caressed her hair, forcing a smile.
The indistinct image of her father's face, hot and angry as he screamed viscous obscenities at her mother flashed in her brain. She wouldn’t allow it to happen to her. In slow motion her hand crept down to the night table.
Logan's arms tightened around her, preventing her from reaching the drawer. Confusion overcame her, increased by the pounding of his heart against her chest.
I can try to fight him, with an outcome that would most likely turn out to be very bad, or I can take a chance and go along with him.
Without moving, she allowed him to hold her until her breathing began to slow down, then gently take her hand.
Nick jumped up from the couch and went rigid with astonishment when they walked into the room. Now that Kristen was standing in front of him, blushing and fragile, her copper hair tousled around her reddened face and delicate shoulders, she was even more beautiful than Logan had described her.
The minute Kristen saw Nick’s face, taking in the slicked-back dark hair, mustache, and sleazy grin, it infuriated her. He peered down at her with the arrogant confidence of a powerful predator preparing to devour his innocent prey. Although he was several inches shorter than Logan, his body was very toned and muscular. As her blood began to curdle, she glared up at Logan, trying to constrain her rage. He returned her burning gaze, but now his eyes were brimming with warmth and affection. His face looked so innocent and handsome; she longed to hate him.
"Nick, I want you to meet my wife, Kristen.” Logan’s eyes glistened as they moved with seductive elegance along her body.
Taking a large gulp of air, she straightened, extending her hand to meet Nick's.
CHAPTER 2
SATURDAY, WEEK 1
KRISTEN/LOGAN
The late morning sun streamed into the bedroom. Kristen stirred, the achy feeling increasing her reluctance to open her eyes and accept the new day.
"Relax, Ginger, it's Saturday.” Logan laughed, moving closer to her. Startled, by his voice, she jumped up, blinking at the harshness of the bright overhead light in her face.
With a boisterous laugh, he pushed her back and climbed on top of her. Holding onto her face, he brought his lips down to hers. Shocked by his actions, she attempted to pull out from under him. He held on.
"What's the matter, sweetie? Have a bad sleep?" Getting up, he fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. With confusion writ on his face, he looked down at her. "You're not mad at me, are you?" His fingers brushed her cheek.
Her jaw dropped, the words she wanted to say lost in her throat. As bits and pieces of the previous night invaded her thoughts, the awe she felt at his lack of compassion left her numb.
"Are you leaving?" she managed, holding back the impulse to slap him.
A sudden radiating pain brought tears to her eyes. Turning on her side, she winced as the memories rushed in—Nick, Logan, her. She shook her head in denial, trying to expel the images. But it was useless. Repulsed, self-hatred and loathing began to ravage her. When she looked up at him, her eyes blazed with anger and pain.
"You have a short memory. We're flying to Miami today. Sure you don't wanna come? I'm gonna miss you terribly.” His grin was dazzling.
She blinked back her astonishment then stared at his face. The details began to stain her mind—the drugs, the sex, the humiliation. The fuzzy image of Nick touching her. How could I let him? How could Logan betray me like that? What has happened to him? To our love?
Her mind drifted to the knife. He would deserve it if I slit his throat right now. With discretion, she let her eyes wander to the night table.
“Why don’t you want to go with me, Krissy? We’ll have fun. Just like before...” He winked at her, continuing to act like nothing had happened.
Then it all crashed down on her at once.
We are no longer the same and never will be again, no matter how much we lie about it, no matter how much I long for it. Both of us have changed in totally different ways. Staying with him will be a big mistake, but killing him would be a bigger one.
There had to be a better way.
"I'm sure.” Her voice was bitter. Getting up, she brushed past him, desperate to get away.
He grabbed her arm. She held her breath, expecting another episode. This time she wouldn’t allow him to persuade her with his powerful charm or overpower her with his strength.
His gaze held hers, then with reluctance he let her go. "I really want you to come with me. I need you.”