Haley's Cabin

kitchen.

“The phone’s over there.” She indicated the wall next to the back door and politely went on. “Help

yourself, really.” She looked at the coffee pot and forced a smile. “Can I get you anything to drink?

Coffee’s still fresh.”

The man answered for them both. “Thank you, coffee sounds great right about now. Even though we’re

nearing summer, it still gets a touch chilly at night.” He rubbed his hands together, but made no move

toward the phone. Instead, he seated himself and his lady friend at the table. Haley didn’t have the heart

to tell them she didn’t want guests. She just wanted to get back to her book and her self-imposed

isolation. Sighing, she reached for two mugs up in the pinewood cabinet.

As she poured the coffee, she asked how they took it and both spoke in unison, saying, "Black.” She

handed them their cups and sat at the table, opposite the man and next to the woman.

“Oh, my name is Haley, by the way. Haley Thorne.” She said, attempting to be friendly, even though she

felt anything but.

“I’m Jay and this is Marissa.” When he smiled, she nearly melted. Dear God, the man was a looker.

“Pleased to meet you, Haley.”

He seemed affectionate and warm when he held out his hand for her to shake. She took it willingly, a

little too eager to touch him.

It was strong and callused, a working man’s hand, most likely. Everything about him spoke of hard work

and long hours. She stared at their entwined fingers and thought of how fragile her small, pale hand

looked against his stronger one. As she gazed back at Jay, his expression changed from friendly to lustful.

Haley was both startled and excited. She hadn’t had a single spark of sexual desire in much too long, and

now her body seemed to come alive.

Without the slightest hint of warning, she found herself being tugged to her feet and led into the living

room by the man who called himself, simply, Jay. Marissa followed close behind.

Haley felt as if someone had taken over her body and was guiding her every move. She should have

been afraid, or terrified, as this stranger controlled her every action and assumed entirely too much. Just

the fact she was in a cabin, miles away from everyone and everything, should have sent off warning

signals in her head. Nevertheless, she was perfectly calm and even smiled right back at the handsome

Jay.

What was the matter with her? She was a responsible, twenty-five-year-old woman. She was not