Chapter 2

How did Hank find out?

My scalp prickled, and my whole body went stiff. My face burned so hot it felt like my skin might peel off, and my lips trembled as I tried to say something, but no words came out.

The way he looked at me, as if he were enjoying a show, left me embarrassed, angry, and completely flustered all at once.

Before I could even think, I lifted my foot and stomped down on his. While he was distracted, I shoved him hard and bolted out of the bathroom as fast as I could.

I did not stop until I reached my room, where I collapsed onto the bed, gasping for air. Just as I was beginning to calm down, a hand suddenly reached out from behind me.

I nearly screamed.

"Suzanna, what are you doing up in the middle of the night? Have you lost your mind or something?"

I turned and saw Luis, his face still heavy with sleep. For a second, I honestly wanted to punch him.

Gritting my teeth, I told him it was nothing and that he should go back to sleep since he had work tomorrow. Luis only muttered that the construction site had an off day the next day, then rolled over and fell right back asleep.

Only when I heard his snoring again did my pounding heart finally begin to settle.

The next morning, I opened the door and stepped out, then froze on the spot.

Hank was in the living room, doing push-ups. His arms were thicker than my thighs, and the muscles in his back shifted in smooth, powerful lines with every movement.

At once, the scene from the night before flashed through my mind, and heat rushed back to my face.

Hearing the door, Hank turned his head. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up, and then he grinned. My heart jumped, and without thinking, I slammed the door shut.

Luis lifted his head from the bed and frowned at me. "What's wrong with you? Why aren't you cooking? I'm starving."

His words hit me like cold water, killing my mood instantly as irritation flared inside me.

Good. Let him starve! All he ever did was eat, eat, eat, yet he still could not satisfy his own wife. I kept my thoughts to myself as I fumed.

When I did not move, Luis began urging me again and again. By the fourth time, impatience had already crept into his voice.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to calm down and opened the door again.

The living room was empty. Hank was gone.

Relief washed over me, but there was also a strange, quiet disappointment that I could not quite explain.

Letting out a soft sigh, I rolled up my sleeves and headed into the kitchen to throw something simple together.

I placed the ingredients on the counter, only to realize the stove was not powered. The plug had been pulled. I bent down to take the plug, then stood on my tiptoes to reach the high outlet on the wall and plug it in.

However, it was too high. I tried again and again, stretching as far as I could, but I still could not reach it. Finally, I gave up and turned to grab a chair from the living room.

Just then, a shadow fell over me from behind.

Before I could react, a pair of strong arms lifted me.

Click.

The plug slid into the socket.

As my feet touched the ground again, something solid pressed against my lower back.

A strong body.

My mind went blank, a loud buzzing filling my ears. I tried to struggle, but my body would not listen.

"You…"

"Suzanna, you smell so good, and you're so soft. I really like it." That familiar voice sent my heart shooting straight into my throat. Shock, panic, and something else I did not dare name all crashed together inside me.

"Hank, d-don't. Stop it… Luis is still in the bedroom…" Before I could finish, the man behind me suddenly pressed forward. My legs went weak instantly. I nearly collapsed on the spot.