Hidden Moon (Nightcreature 7)

God, I sounded like every other date rape victim on the planet. I hated myself.

"Why didn't you file a report?"

"I couldn't. "

"Of course you could. You want him out there doing that to someone else?"

My gaze lifted. "He isn't like that. "

"Sounds to me as if he's exactly like that. "

"He was moving up in the governor's office. There was talk he might even be the next governor. " I took a deep breath. "I didn't think anyone would believe me. I figured they'd chalk my story up as one more scum ex-girlfriend scamming for her few minutes of fame. "

"You don't think this will come back to bite you on the ass later?"

"How? I never told anyone but you and a therapist. I doubt she'll say anything. You plan on going to the tabloids with this, Grace?"

"You didn't see a doctor?"

"Why? A couple of bruises. I lived. "

"Diseases. Pregnancy. You moron. "

"Thanks. That helps. "

"You need to see a doctor. "

"He used a condom. "

"In other words, he planned it. "

"Men carry condoms in their wallets. It's what they do. "

Of course Josh's condom hadn't been in his wallet; it had been on his cock. Talk about being prepared.

"It's behind me now," I said. "I want to forget. "

"Which is why you ran home. "

"I didn't run anywhere. My father died. Lake Bluff needed a mayor. I accepted. "

"You are so full of shit I'm surprised you don't smell. "

"And once again. . . thank you. That helps so much. "

"You haven't forgotten, Claire. I saw you tonight with Cartwright. You were scared half to death. " Her face darkened, and she stroked the butt of her gun. "Did he try to do more than kiss you?"

"No. Not really. "

He'd grabbed me, made me feel trapped. That's what had started the flashback. Until then, I'd been enjoying myself. A lot.

"Cartwright's out of your league. "

I stiffened, insulted, but she continued.

"Guys like him pick a woman in every town. They have their fun, then leave at the end of the week. "

Sounded good to me. No commitments. No need to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Just a little horizontal mambo and away they went, never to be seen or heard from again. I wondered if I could find that kind of deal more than once a year.