Page 76 of One Killer Night

“Is your name Townie?” she offered as coldly as the others said it.

He never bristled or looked away. Instead, he walked toward her. Her heart ticked up a beat, and she felt the stock shelves at her back.

“He doesn’t even like you,” he said quietly, so focused on her that she wanted to squeeze her eyes closed. It was too intense. “He fucks a new girl every summer. It’s his thing, and then he never speaks to them.”

The crudeness in the way he spoke made her uncomfortable. Even though that was a truth she’d already considered.

When she met Davis, she’d decided that this summer was for exploration. Which wasn’t something typical for her, but the motto of the camp was “Adventure Awaits,” so she’d figured,Why not.

She knew this wasn’t something the townie considered about her, and having one up on him made her feel something new.

“Who says I want him to speak to me after the summer?”

They were standing face-to-face now. And even though she still felt scared, she never showed it, facing him with strong shoulders. Because her response was the truth, which was the only thing she appreciated about this conversation.Maybe not the only thing,she thought.

“You don’t care to be discarded? So, you’re a whore?”

She smirked, feeling much less afraid because it was then she realized he was jealous. And that was less frightening than the idea that he watched them to hurt her.

“And what if I am, Townie? What are you going to do about it? Call me names in the hopes I’ll stop my errant ways and choose you?”

He swallowed. She’d hit the right nerve, and she wasn’t sure if that elated her to know or brought her relief because now she could find a way to end this conversation.

She decided on the former. He’d confirmed the feeling that was fueling her bravery. She was in control. He liked her.

“I think you should stick to sweeping and stop being weird and creepy. Or I’ll tell my boyfriend ...beforethe end of the summer.”

She started past him, but he crossed the broom’s handle in front of her, forcing her to take a step back.

“Get off me,” she ground out.

He encased her with his body, letting the broom drop to the floor as he whispered in her ear, “Icould treat you like one if you want ... like a whore.”

He didn’t back away, crowding her in the stockroom, and she hadn’t realized how large his body was. Her chest rose and fell against his navy blue janitor uniform as their breaths mingled.

His fingers touched her throat, and it sent shivers down her spine.

“I’ll scream,” she rushed out insincerely.

But he never backed up, his mouth still close to her ear.

“I could hurt you before anyone comes.”

She turned her face, not away, but toward his cheek to ensure he heard every word.

“They’ll still come. So, make sure you kill me because I will tell them about everything you do to me.”

He laughed an empty laugh before he drew back, their eyes connecting.

“You think you’re so fucking perfect and that I’m trash. You’re too good for me, right? Is that it? Perfect Davis can treat you like a slut, but I’d have to rape you in order to touch your pussy?”

Her breath caught at his lewdness. She should have been disgusted, but it made her feel things she hadn’t before.

A slow smirk tipped his crooked mouth.

“You like being spoken to that way. My own virgin whore.”

At that, she spat in his face. He only blinked.