Free Killer: A Bad Boy Romance by Heather West

they’ve never seen an ex-con before, I thought to myself with a giggle.
     
    “Lacey, it’s so nice to see you again!” I turned around at the familiar voice and saw Mark.
     
    “Hi, Mr. Simpson,” I said, still giggling. He grinned at me and I felt myself blush. For once, his attention didn’t seem annoying.
     
    “I hope you’re feeling better,” he continued. “Anne told me you were sick.”
     
    I watched as Shaunna and Peter ran up and wrapped themselves around their dad’s legs. He didn’t notice, but instead kept smiling at me.
     
    “I’m fine,” I lied. “But that was a rough couple of days.”
     
    “You should have called me,” Mark said, winking at me. “I would have taken great care of you.”
     
    “I’m sure,” I said politely. “How are you?”
     
    “Well, Lacey, I’m doing okay,” Mark drawled. He seemed to enjoy taking his time with me. “But I’m lonely, you know.”
     
    I nodded. “I get that,” I said. “I feel lonely too, sometimes.”
     
    “Lacey, someone as pretty as you shouldn’t ever feel that way!” Mark scolded me playfully, and I blushed again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Chase hulking in the corner. He glared at me and I felt my stomach lurch.
     
    “Mr. Simpson, if you’ll excuse me,” I babbled. “I have to go see about something over here.”
     
    Mark waved at me and waddled outside with his kids still clinging to his legs. I stalked over towards Chase and grabbed his arm, yanking him down the hall and into one of the storage rooms. It was cold in there, and I instantly felt goose bumps break out over my body. Flicking on the fluorescent light switch, I whirled around and stared Chase down.
     
    “You wanna tell me why you’re glaring at me?” I demanded, putting my hands on my hips and glaring at him.
     
    “You wanna tell me why you’re about to fuck that guy?” Chase snarled. He leaned into my face until he was so close that I could feel his damp breath. “You put on a show like that just to piss me off? You think you know anything about being lonely?”
     
    Anger boiled inside of me. “Fuck you!” I spat, blinking so tears wouldn’t come to my eyes. “You want me one minute, and then you don’t! I’m sick of trying to play your game!”
     
    Chase growled and closed the distance between us in one instant. He stepped forward and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close. I could feel his heartbeat thudding through my shirt and I shivered, looking into his face. The mix of anger and desire that he inspired in my body flooded every cell and I felt captivated by his glance. We were both breathing hard and I leaned forward, kissing him savagely.
     
    Chase groaned into my mouth and shoved me against the wall, hard. It felt cold through my thin sweater and I shivered, wrapping my legs around Chase’s waist clinging tightly. He shoved his hips against mine and I felt the familiar erection poking me through his jeans. Moaning, I reached down and undid the snap of his pants. Chase grunted into my ear as he shoved his hand up my sweater and savagely caressed my nipples. I shrieked loudly and he covered my mouth with his, sticking his tongue into mine and caressing my tongue.
     
    There was a slam in the hallway and Chase dropped me, stepping back as though he’d been burned. My heart was slamming against the walls of my chest and I raked my hands through my hair, trying to calm it. Chase shot me a dark look and threw open the door of the storage room. I watched breathlessly as he sauntered down the hall and out the front door of Dawning Center.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Eleven
     
    By the time we arrived at The Pink Diamond that night, I was exhausted. I sang my set like usual, powering through the songs with only minimal effort. There wasn’t as much applause as usual but I didn’t even care. All I could think about was going home and going to bed. The