Read Hell Bent for Free Online Page B

opens two inches, and I can see the chain still in place. “What the hell do you want? Is something wrong with Milly?” her voice turns from angry to fearful.
    “No, no…Milly is fine. She’s snuggled up against Cam at this very minute.”
    “How do you know?”
    “I…well…never mind. I just do.”
    “What’s wrong with you? Are you drunk?” she asks.
    “Me? No. Not drunk at all.”
    “Then what are you doing here? It’s the middle of the night, and I don’t have time for games.”
    “Would you let me in?”
    “What? Why would I do that? I don’t even know you!”
    “Sure you do. I’m Bryce. The best man. The guy who is going to walk you down the aisle?”
    “What?”
    “Well, okay, not in that way, but I will as best man.”
    “Go away.”
    “Hey, c’mon. It’s okay. Cam will vouch for me.”
    “I’ll ask him next time I see him.”
    “What? No, no…really, Susie…Susie…”
    “Don’t call me that.”
    “Susie? Why not?”
    “Only my friends call me that.”
    “Oh. I see. Well, I thought maybe you’d make an exception this once.”
    “No.”
    “Susie…c’mon, I know it’s the middle of the night and I know you’re pissed and I know I’m sounding like an asshole idiot, but I drove all the way over here to see you.”
    “I didn’t invite you.”
    “No, I know you didn’t. But, hey…” I say louder, and the dogs start barking again.
    “Go away. You’re waking up the neighborhood. Are you drunk or stoned or what?”
    “No, no, absolutely straight and sober. I am here to talk to you. Let me in, Susie, and the dogs will stop barking.”
    There is a long pause…at least twenty seconds pass, and then the door closes an inch so the chain can be unfastened. The door opens then, and she pulls me in by the sleeve. It shuts firmly behind me.
    The cream-puff is standing before me in a sleep shirt, the hem barely skimming her thighs. I remember the thighs from earlier in the evening, and they are a very big part of why I’m standing here right now. The chemistry in the tiny entry hall is palpable, making me feel almost intoxicated, but her frowning face sobers me right up.
    “So?” she says in a challenging tone. “What do you want?”
    I consider the best opening lines I didn’t have time to rehearse and decide to wing it. “I want to talk to you.” Jesus, genius…is this the best you can do?
    “You already said that once.” There is disdain on her face, but I think I can see a glimmer of interest as well.
    “Would you happen to have a soda?” I lamely begin.
    “You drove all the way over here…and how you know where I live remains a mystery that I will get to shortly, but to ask for a soda? What’s going on?”
    I just smile.
    “Well, you may as well come in and sit down. You look silly standing there with that stupid grin on your face.” She is turning her back to me as she heads toward what must be her kitchen, and I can see the curve of her butt cheeks as she walks. I feel myself growing hard again.
    She is coming back toward me, a can in her hand and her eyes lock onto my crotch.
    “Oh, so that’s it,” she says, feigning annoyance, but the bottom lip pouts a bit, and I fear I may lose it as I stand there. “Sit down and…take a load off…” she says, smirking.
    I take the proffered can from her hand and sit on the sofa, not all the way to the end but not in the middle either. I try to look casual, but in my current state, this is a pretty hard look to pull off.
    The cream-puff sits down on the sofa next to me and then turns sideways, folding one leg beneath herself. The sleep shirt is so short, I can see everything…and nothing. She is wearing nothing beneath. Oh, God she has my ticket. I literally cannot think of a single thing to say. She realizes what I can see and pulls her t-shirt down between her legs. Please don’t!
    “So?” she says in a questioning voice.
    I sort of cock my head, not understanding her gist.
    “Shall we just do it now and