Yes, it is, pretty little thing. Yes, it is.
They headed down the sidewalk, passing not a soul, just closed storefronts and empty lots. The Asian chick was asking him questions, making small talk out of skittishness. Billy responded, but automatically, barely even hearing his own words, the bourbon buzzing in his brain. All he could think about was how dark the park would be. How deserted.
And then there it was, just ahead, so still, so perfect. There was a sudden hush as they crossed inside; even the crunch of their footfalls on pavement vanished, replaced by the soft, stealthy squish of grass. There were no lights anywhere, just weak moonlight and shadows under the trees. The Asian chick wasn’t talking anymore. Billy watched her out of the corner of his eye. A warm hit of adrenaline snaked out through his torso at the realization of where they were, how helpless she was now, how he could do anything he wanted.
“It’s getting chilly,” the Asian chick said, maybe just to hear the sound of her own voice.
They were almost halfway across. Dead center. Even the interstate trucks were barely audible now. There was a small copse of trees ahead. That would be the place. Billy could feel himself stiffening at the thought.
“Oh, I don’t know. Feels all right to me.”
“I guess you’re warmer-blooded than I am. Could I have my sweatshirt now?”
“Sure you can. No problem.” But he kept walking. The trees were just thirty feet away now.
“My sweatshirt,” the Asian chick said. “I’m cold.”
Billy didn’t answer. Twenty feet to the trees now. Ten.
“Hey,” the Asian chick said. “Did you hear me?”
He stopped and turned to her. Nothing but shadows here, and the trees would soak up sound. If she made any.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, smiling. “Lost in thought.”
She stopped and looked at him. “I said I’m cold.”
God, she looked so fucking tasty in the faint light. So vulnerable. His heart was thudding hard. He could feel it in his chest, his throat.
He took a step toward her. “Well, shit, honey, I can take care of that. Warm you right up.”
She flinched and shook her head. “What? No. I just want my sweatshirt.”
“Sure, we’ll spread it out right here on the grass. It’ll be fine.”
He tossed the sweatshirt on the ground next to her. He was going to follow her down when she knelt to retrieve it, but she didn’t. She just stood there, looking at him. Well, that was all right. Lot of ways to skin a cat.
“Come on, now,” he said, moving closer to her. “I’ll make you feel good. You’ll see.”
She stepped back. “Look,” she said, with a little quaver. “I just want to go home. Okay?”
God, he liked the fear in her voice. Loved it.
“I told you I’d get you home, didn’t I? You doubting me now?”
“What? No. I just—”
“Don’t you give me a hard time. I was nice to you tonight. Bought you all those drinks, didn’t I?”
“Yes, it was nice of you, but—”
“Then don’t you think you should be nice back?”
“That’s not the point. I mean, it’s just, I don’t want—”
He stepped in suddenly and seized her by the shoulders. He squeezed hard, letting her feel how strong he was, how in control. How much damage he could do if she gave him a reason.
“Stop,” he said, giving her a single brisk shake. “Just stop now. Stop your talking and listen to me.”
He could feel the tension in her body. The growing panic. Fuck, he was so hard.
“I’ve been nice to you,” he said, keeping his grip tight. “All night. And all I want is for you to be nice back now. Are you telling me you won’t? Is that it?”
“Come on, stop,” she said, her voice high now, like a child’s. “You’re hurting me. Stop.”
It was such a turn-on, the way she was talking. He relaxed his grip and eased the backpack off her shoulder, letting it drop to the ground. It was heavier than he’d expected. Must have had some weights inside, something like that.
He caressed her neck for a moment, then let his hands drift to her elbows, his thumbs brushing the edges of her breasts along the way. He squeezed her arms to her sides and brought her closer. “Come on now. Just a kiss. Is that so much to ask, after I’ve been so nice to you?”
“Don’t,” she said, again in that high voice. “I don’t want this.”