Several Weeks Later
Her mind buried in thoughts about various plot lines for her game, Cassidy walked through the front door to her apartment building, which was being held open for her by a tenant she’d never met before.
The story draft was nearly completed, and it was time to start sketches of the characters. She’d never been more excited about anything in her life, and her boss was, if possible, just as excited as she was. He kept hounding her, wanting to know how the story would end.
The only problem was, she didn’t know how the story would end. She’d encountered her first case of writer’s block since the very beginning of this process when she’d been hesitant to use Gage as research.
Luckily, his vehement reassurance that he didn’t care what people thought about his job or him had taken care of that problem.
She tugged at her lip as she hoofed it to her apartment. Gage would be getting off work soon, and he’d be at her place in a matter of minutes. She only had a small window of opportunity to try to pound out the ending to the game before he arrived and there would be a different type of pounding.
Her lips curved against her fingers. Damn, that man was spoiling her. She sure hoped this arrangement of theirs never ended, because she was confident no one else would ever live up to Gage in the bedroom. She’d hate to live the rest of her life disappointed and unsatisfied. Or worse: disappointed, unsatisfied, and in a relationship.
Her fingers shook a little as she put the key into her front door, which made her frown. She focused and was able to unlock it after a couple of unsuccessful tries. Shutting the door behind her, she tossed her keys into the bowl and toed off her Converse, kicking them over by the table.
With a sigh, she shoved her hair back from her face with both hands. Time to get back to work.
The door behind her opened, and Cassidy spun, a smile already on her face. Gage must have gotten home from work early.
Her smile immediately fell.
It wasn’t Gage standing in the open door but a complete stranger. Dressed all in black. Wearing gloves.
They stared at each other for a moment before the intruder leapt at her. She had just enough time to scream before his gloved hand clapped over her mouth.