Falling Stars (Shooting Stars 5)

"Why? You said you weren't in any rush to get back. Your girlfriends aren't going to be there. They're all having some fun. It's not against the rules for you to have s

ome fun, too, is it?"

"I don't really like this drink," I said, putting the glass on the table. "I'm sorry. It's just not for me. I guess."

"Not for you? What do you drink on the farm, homemade corn whiskey?"

"No. I don't drink whiskey," I said. I didn't like the ridicule in his voice.

"It's just a little vodka, for God's sake. What's the big deal?"

"It's not what I like." I said. "That's the big deal," I added and started to stand.

"Take it easy," he said, pulling me back. "I'm just trying to get to know you better. Honey."

"I don't have to drink vodka to get to know someone." I said.

He stared at me, his eyes suddenly so dark, a stream of pure anger running through them. It put a cold finger on my heart, and I looked longingly now at the door.

"I've got to find my way back," I said softly.

"It's no problem. I'll call you a cab and it will come right to the front of the building. You'll be back in ten minutes, believe me," he said, putting his glass down and moving closer to me.

His arm slipped behind me and his hand popped up like a snake in the grass. His fingers closed tightly on my shoulder and he turned me toward him so he could plant his lips on mine, this time pushing his tongue into my mouth and moving his left hand up the side of my body and over my breast.

I put my hands against his chest and pushed him away. "Hey!" he cried. "Don't be so unfriendly."

"I don't want to do this."

"Then why did you come up here?"

"To listen to the music," I said. "To see the view you talked about so much."

"Sure."

"Well, that's what you asked me to do, isn't it?" He tilted his head and smiled.

"What are you, a tease? Is that what they teach you on the farm?"

I started to stand and he reached up, grabbed my arm, and pulled me down roughly.

"Stop it!" I cried, but he was over me, his mouth on my face, down my neck, his fingers fumbling with the zipper on my jeans. I squirmed and pushed and even pounded his shoulder with my fist, but he kept his weight over me. 'Tony, stop!" I screamed. "You're hurting me."

His hands went under my blouse and over my bra, the thumbs lifting it roughly away from my breasts so he could strum my nipples. I reached out, seized the glass containing the Bloody Mary, and splashed it into his face. He fell back, cursing. and I jumped up.

"Damn it!" he cried, rubbing at his eyes. "That burns."

"It serves you right," I said. "You tricked me into coming up here. You had no intention of just listening to music."

I hurried to the door. At first. I thought I was locked in until I realized how to open the second lock. He was up and calling to me. but I hurried out and into the hallway, slamming the door behind ine.

"Hey, you come back, you tease," he screamed through the closed door and then opened it to follow,

"Stay away from me," I shouted and stopped at the elevator. He was coming down the hallway, still rubbing his eves.

"Come on back. I was just fooling around. Well just listen to the music, if you want. Come on."

"No." I said. "Thank you. but I want to go."