The Stranger

Chapter 004

Reese

I was shocked, my eyes widened in surprise. I didn’t expect this man to pull me into a kiss. I was completely stunned, and it seemed like everything was moving in a slow motion as he kissed me. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but the raging sensation that I was experiencing inside manifested itself as a fire.

Thinking back about what happened earlier in the house when I had caught mom and Troy, made me move and taste back the man’s lips after closing my eyes. I felt his lips curve into a smile before he took control. He kissed me tenderly, and I enjoyed the sensation of his soft lips brushing against mine. Even the slightest contact with his lips caused waves of warmth to travel all the way down to my stomach.

When his hands started to travel from my shoulders down to my waist, I found myself encircling my arms around his neck, drawing him closer to me.

The corners of my mouth were explored by his tongue in a way that was both kind and demanding, causing me to gasp. I had the sensation that my entire body was on fire, and my heart was racing so quickly that I was scared that it might burst out of my chest.

A delicate kiss that started off as a gentle kiss quickly turned into something much more aggressive and frenetic, with his tongue exploring more, tasting and investigating inside. It was the sound of my moaning that caused me to stop, and I eventually succeeded in pushing him away from me with all of my might.

''You bastard!'' I hissed, trembling as I wiped my lips with the back of my hand.

''You need me. You shouldn't even try to deny it, baby...'' he smirked, and I was at a loss for words as I stared unbelievably at him with my mouth gaped open.

My heart was still trying to deny it, yet my mind and body were telling me that I should accept this stranger’s offer. He could see that I was really upset, and he just wanted to help me.

Well, it was better than what Troy had offered me—a sexless marriage. It was very hard to become his wife than I had ever imagined.

I felt the night air getting colder as I shuddered. And I looked up to see that the man was still standing there, with his arms crossed over his chest, and waiting for my answer patiently.

I swallowed, raking my eyes over his physique. He's not that bad, though. He looked like a model in a centerfold. Without seeing his eyes, he was already strikingly attractive, and I despised myself for the way that I responded when he kissed me.

But the appearance of his shoulders, which exuded an air of self-assurance, led me to the conclusion that he was a dangerous person.

But I want to reconsider his offer.

If that was the way to get even with those who have wronged me, then why the hell not?

I inhaled deeply, raised my chin, and opened my mouth to speak. ''Fine. I’m accepting your offer...''

He nodded, not exhibiting any signs of surprise after hearing that I had agreed to his proposal. ''Let’s go then...''

He grabbed my hand, dragging me to his car that was parked nearby.

''Get in…'' he said after opening the door of the passenger seat for me.

''Wait... Where are you taking me?'' I asked, looking at him, not moving to get in.

His shoulder muscles flexed, as if preparing himself to carry me if I resisted to come with him. ''You're going with me to my house...''

''Of course. Where else would we be going?'' I muttered, biting my lip as I climbed into his car.

Determinedly, I kept my gaze averted while the stranger began to drive. I avoided meeting his eyes, feeling their intensity scorching the side of my face, igniting my skin with an invisible flame.

After ten minutes on the road, anxiety crept in. Despite my attempts to disregard the man beside me, his presence managed to instill a deep sense of unease within me, which was profoundly disturbing.

What if he’s a criminal, and he’s planning to kill me?

Or he’d get my organs and sell them to the hospital?

What if he put me in jail and then used me as a sex slave?

''Relax, I’m not a bad guy…'' I heard him chuckle, making me flinch a little. Did he just read what was going through my head? ''And why are you afraid of death now? Were you not going to jump into the water earlier to end your life?''

''I wasn’t going to kill myself!'' I shot him an angry look, but his gaze was now straight ahead on the road.

''Yeah, yeah. Whatever…'' he turned serious, but I could still sense the mockery in his words. He wasn’t believing in me.

I rolled my eyes at him, took a deep breath, and leaned back against the seat. Deliberately, I banished the thought of him being a killer from my mind and focused on the city lights outside the window, finding pleasure in the nighttime view.

The car stopped in front of a two-story house. I opened the door and bolted out without waiting for him. Looking around, I realized there were no other houses in sight, sending a shiver up my spine.

What if it’s true that he was a killer?

A cold hand touched my elbow, and I yelped in fear.

''Hey…'' the man whispered, his warm breath fanned my ear, and I shuddered. ''You’re still scared of me?''

When I didn’t answer him, he shrugged his shoulders and walked past me, unlocking the front door by pressing the pin numbers.

''You’re getting in or not?'' he asked, holding the door open.

I slowly walked inside, and I felt him following suit. While I roamed my eyes around the living room, I could see in my peripheral vision that the man was walking towards the corner of the room, where a minibar was located.

I watched him as he filled the glasses with wine, then returned to me, offering the glass from his right hand. ''This may help you relax...'' he suggested.

My hand trembled as I reached for the wine glass. Our fingers brushed, and my breath hitched, and my pulse quickened as I finally took a sip of the burning liquid.

Tears formed as the fiery liquid scorched its way down my throat. I was familiar with the taste of wine, having sampled it on several occasions before. This, however, was much stronger; it could be vodka or whiskey, but I couldn't be certain, since Troy had never allowed me to try them.

The man shot me furtive glances as he walked back to the minibar. I took another sip, then fanned myself, exhaling softly as my throat adjusted to the strong drink.

A smile crept across my face, the alcohol's effects beginning to take hold. I was starting to feel relaxed.