Total pages in book: 8
Estimated words: 7181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 36(@200wpm)___ 29(@250wpm)___ 24(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 7181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 36(@200wpm)___ 29(@250wpm)___ 24(@300wpm)
***Taboo
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
1
VICTORIA
I knew my daddy was going to be pissed if he knew I was sneaking out… again. But here I was creeping through the darkened house and making sure my he was asleep.
The house was silent, except for my daddy’s heavy breathing that could be heard clearly down the hall.
I was dressed with my shoes on, ready to make my break, but waited to make sure he wouldn’t wake. My father–although kind and sweet and I was an all-around daddy’s girl–could be scary as hell when he was pissed.
I stood perfectly still right outside of his bedroom door and held my breath. But he was in a deep sleep, probably exhausted from working overtime at his body shop.
My heart pounded, and my pulse thrummed in my ears, but I couldn’t help the excitement bubbling inside me. I’d been talking with Connor, one of the new boys at the university, and he’d invited me to hang out at the lake right down the street from my house.
I moved away from my father’s door and avoided the creaky spot on the floor. My window was cracked from when I planned for tonight, and I pushed it up further and slipped outside.
I held my breath as the cool night air hit my face. I closed the window until an inch remained open and then ran toward the lake, casting one last glance back at my dark house.
My father wouldn’t find out. I’d be back before he ever woke up. That’s what I told myself, anyway. Clearly, I was trying to convince myself this was a good idea.
The path to the lake wasn’t far. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the trees as I reached the clearing. And then I saw him. Connor leaned against a tree, his arms crossed, his gaze focused on the water until he heard a twig snap under my foot.
He glanced at me and smiled. “Hey,” he said and pushed away from the tree to face me. “You made it. I didn't think you would.”
“I always keep my promises.” My voice was barely a whisper. I was excited, but it wasn’t because I was meeting with Connor. If I truly admitted to anyone–let alone myself–what caused anticipation to thrum through me, I’d be deemed as a sick fuck.
We stood by the lake, the water calm in the middle of the night. Neither of us spoke, but I could feel this awkwardness from Connor. Was he… nervous?
The thrill of sneaking out, the knowledge that my father could wake up and find me–that he’d be furious–made me feel electric.
He moved closer to me, and I felt his fingers brushing mine. But it didn’t feel right if I was being honest.
“Your dad would lose it if he knew,” Connor teased, his voice low.
My heart raced at his words, and I laughed softly, nodding. “He’d kill me.” I looked at him. “And you.”
He laughed, but I was being serious. My father was very protective of me. I was a daddy’s girl through and through.
But just as the words left my mouth, I heard it. The unmistakable sound of footsteps crashing through the woods. Fast and furious and with clear intent.
Oh God.
My heart raced as I turned and faced the trees. But it was so dark I couldn’t see much of anything. I heard him coming, though.
“What is that?” Connor asked.
“Victoria!” My father’s voice boomed in the darkness, and I snapped my head to look at Connor. Realization covered his face instantly.
“Oh, shit.”
Yeah. My thoughts exactly.
“Victoria!” my father roared, his deep voice cutting through the quiet night like a knife.
I froze, but fear didn’t hold me hostage. I felt… anticipation and excitement.
Connor didn’t move, but his eyes were wide. There was no time to think or react as my father stormed into the clearing, his face twisted with fury, and his focus scanning the area until it landed on me.
Then he slowly looked at Connor and growled. Literally growled. I could see how his already big body was growing larger, his muscles looking frighteningly massive in the moonlight.
“I know my baby girl didn’t fucking sneak out of the house in the middle of the night to meet some little douche bag.” Daddy’s voice was like thunder as he breathed fast and hard and stomped up to us. I noticed Connor took a step back, his survival instincts kicking in.
My father’s gaze darted to Connor, his anger burning in them. “If you want to live to see tomorrow, I you get the fuck out of here, asshole.”
“Daddy,” I said in a breathless tone, not sure what to say because I was transfixed at how big and strong… and fierce my father looked.
He didn’t let me say anything, not that I could get the words out, as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward him so he could place me behind his hulking form. His grip was tight and unforgiving.