The Stranger In the Guest Room by V. K. Lockwood

Author:V. K. Lockwood
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romantic suspense, Psychological thriller, Small town crime, Domestic thriller, Dark fiction
Publisher: Kaestes Publishing
Published: 2021-03-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The feelings hit after two hours in the bedroom with Brooks. I knew in my mind that this would be the last time I’d ever see him again. And it hurt like hell, so I cried. He thought it was because I missed him and looking forward to all the years we’d be sharing.

It was the same secret—the silence. And again, only I knew what would happen. I felt horrible. I hated myself for everything.

I had to put my thoughts in their place and make myself understand that what was happening wasn’t my fault. Brooks was different. I wanted to believe he was the same man I fell in love with years ago, but he wasn’t that man.

His arms wrapped around me in bed and the way he held me close to him—his scent, his smile, laughter—I tried like hell to stay strong enough and not get pulled back in.

All the while we made love, I listened for Easton or someone to ring the bell or pound on the door. The red lights had been on for over two hours, and no one had noticed. No one had come to my rescue yet. It was like a pit in my stomach when I had to come to the grim reality I was on my own.

I was a nervous wreck and tried my best to hide the feelings. The dark evenings made it easier to hide my face, because had Brooks been able to see my expressions, I may not have been so lucky this time.

“I missed this,” he whispered as he pulled me close to him and kissed me on the neck. “I missed this...”

I smiled even though I knew he couldn’t see. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. 7:23. “We should make some dinner. I’m kinda starving,” I lied to him. I wasn’t starving at all. In fact, I wasn’t even hungry. I was putting the first step of my escape plan into play.

“I could go for some dinner,” he replied. “What do you have in mind?”

“I have some chicken. No. Wait. The chicken is still frozen. Don’t have time for that,” I laughed.

“Agreed,” he said.

“Wraps? How does that sound? I think I have some turkey thawed in the fridge and some bacon. Turkey bacon wraps. Those are easy.” I shrugged, hoping he’d agree with me so we could leave the guest room.

“Let’s do it.”

I could hear him smile through his response, and I felt the guilt wash over me as we got out of bed and put on our clothes. We walked downstairs, and I tried to glance at Easton’s cabin to see if he was even home. Although I didn’t want to draw attention to it, I casually walked towards the patio door and pulled the placemats from the small cabinet I kept near the corner of the kitchen.

Brooks noticed but didn’t appear to connect the pieces as I set each placemat on the island. I then grabbed some plates and silverware while he grabbed the food from the fridge and set it out.

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