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Chapter 1

I had never noticed Lucas before that night It was as though he didn’t exist, and then suddenly, he was everywhere

I’d just bailed on the Halloween party still in full swing behindlot behind my ex’s frat house, I tapped out a text to ht was beautiful and warm—a typical Southern-style Indian summer From the wide-open s of the house, music blared across the pavehter, drunken challenges and calls for more shots

As tonight’s designated driver, it was et Erin back to our dorled piece, whether or not I could stand another e told her to call or text when she was ready to go The way she and her boyfriend, Chaz, had been tequila-soaked dirty dancing before they linked hands and tripped up the stairs to his roo ht of the short walk of shame she’d endure from the front porch to my truck, if so

I hit send as I dug infor my keys The moon was too cloud-obscured and the fully lit s of the house were too far away to provide any light at the far end of the lot I had to go by feel Swearing when a ertip, I stomped one stiletto-clad foot, almost certain I’d drawn blood Once the keys were in ht ures,” Ithe truck door

In the initial seconds that followed, I was too disoriented to co the truck door open, and the next I was lying flat on led to rise but couldn’t, because the weight on top of me was too heavy

“The little devil costume suits you, Jackie” The voice was slurred, but familiar

My first thought was Don’t call me that, but that objection was quickly dis ht arm was useless, trapped between my body and the seat I clawed ain to push h whipped up and grabbed my wrist I cried out when he wrenchedit firmly in his other hand His forearm pressed into my upper back I couldn’t move

“Buck, get off o” My voice quavered, but I tried to deliver the command with as much authority as possible I could ser in his sweat, and a wave of nausea rose and fell in my stomach

His free hand was back onled outside the truck, the door still open I tried to pull hed at my pathetic efforts When he shoved his hand betweenback down too late I heaved and squir I was no

“Buck, stop Please—you’re just drunk and you’ll regret this tomorrow Oh my God—”

He wedged his knee between s and air hit my bare hip I heard the unhed in“No-no-no-no…” Under his weight, I couldn’t get enough breath together to screa any protest I uy I’d known for over a year, who’d not once treated me with disrespect the entire tilot

He ripped my panties down to my knees, and between his efforts to push theile fabric tear “Jesus, Jackie, I always knew you had a great ass, but Christ, girl” His hand thrust between ht lifted for a split second—just long enough formy wrist, he slapped his hand over the back of my head and turned my face into the leather seat until I was silent, almost unable to breathe

Even freed, ainst the floor of the cab and pushed, butmuscles wouldn’t obey I sobbed into the cushion, tears and salivaunder my cheek “Please don’t, please don’t, oh God stop-stop-stop…” I hated the weedy sound of my powerless voice

His weight lifted froed his —I didn’t wait to find out which Twisting and pulling s up, I felt the spiky heels of my shoes tear into the pliant leather as I propelled myself to the far side of the bench seat and scrambled for the handle Blood rushed in ht And then I stopped, because Buck was no longer in the truck at all

At first, I couldn’t figure out why he was standing there, just past the door, facing away fro wildly at so Not until he stuhting

The guy never took his eyes off Buck as he delivered twoto the side as they circled and Buck threw futile punches of his own, blood strea from his nose Finally, Buck ducked his head and rushed forith bull-like intent, but that effort was his undoing as the stranger swung an easy uppercut to his jaw When Buck’s head snapped up, an elbow cracked into his te thud He collided with the side of the truck again, pushing off and rushing the stranger a second tirabbed Buck’s shoulders and pulled hi hi and cringing

The stranger stared down, fists balled, elbows slightly bent, poised to deliver another blow if necessary There was no need Buck was al and curling into a ball as shock replaced the panic I must have whimpered, because his eyes snapped up to mine He rolled Buck aside with one booted foot and stepped up to the door, peering in

“You okay?” His tone was low, careful I wanted to say yes I wanted to nod But I couldn’t I was so not okay “I’onna call 911 Do you need medical assistance, or just the police?”

I envisioned the caoers ould spill from the house when the sirens came Erin and Chaz were only two of the ed and drinking It would be my fault if the party became the focus of the police I would be a pariah