Coercion Read Online Free PDF Page B

even if they aren’t, maybe he’s a changed man. High school was a long time ago. That’s got to count for something.”
    “Maybe.”
    “You never know.” They reached the stairs’ landing, where Shannon bent down to give Valerie’s skirt another tug and offered her friend a playful smile. “I’m sure you’ve heard he and Kim Breza are on the outs.”
    “Yeah?” Valerie forced the hope from her voice.
    “Yep, she apparently cheated on him. I heard that Lisa girl talking about it this morning.” Shannon shrugged. “I mean, it’s not the first time those two have been at each other’s throats, but it could be the last. People can only take so much.”
    * * * *
    That afternoon, Michael paced the length of Breeze’s cramped apartment she shared with Lisa, his hands tangled in his hair. “I can’t believe this.”
    “Well, believe it.” Breeze gave her curled hair a flippant toss. “I’d already told you I plan on doing whatever I want.”
    “Yeah, which you do every day of your life,” Michael spat. “I just didn’t realize this new plan of yours included fucking Karl Seegan.”
    Breeze propped up her feet on the ottoman with the striped wool covering, a fashionmagazine dangling between her fingers. “I don’t see what the big deal is. You act like neither of us has ever cheated on the other before.”
    Michael shook his head. “I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation.”
    “I’m just amazed we’re even having a conversation, period.” Breeze glanced back at her magazine as she turned the page. “You’ve never been a big talker.”
    Michael raked a hand through his hair again. It was all he could do to prevent himself from shaking her. “How are you just sitting there, saying all this to me like it’s no big deal?”
    “It isn’t a big deal. It’s not like we’re exclusive anymore.”
    “Are you seriously kidding me? What the hell were the past few years then?”
    “You tell me.” Breeze shrugged, scrutinizing a lipstick ad like Nancy Drew would a clue. “You made it clear last month you were all about keeping things loose.”
    “I never... Oh, fuck it.” Michael shook his head. “First you put words in my mouth, like always, and then you don’t even have the decency to admit what you’ve done to my face. Rooney had to tell me Seegan was going on and on in the parking lot about the blow-job you gave him.”
    “Really?” Breeze put a hand to her heart. “What did he say? Good things I hope.”
    “Breeze, fucking focus. This is Karl Seegan, the guy who breaks wooden boards with his head for laughs.” He sucked in a deep breath. “His number one party trick is seeing what he can fit in his dick hole. I watched him stick the top of a Q-tip up there for laughs one time. Did he show you that one? Did he show you anything like that before you blew him?”
    “Baby, would you just relax? It’s not like I’d planned it.” Her pink tongue darted out to lick the pad of her thumb. “We were at the same party, we got a little drunk and one thing led to another.” She turned the glossy page. “It was all in fun. It’s not going to happen again.”
    “Really?” He hovered over her, putting his hands on both armrests of Breeze’s chair. “So you didn’t plan it. And here I thought all you cared about were plans and strategies.”
    “Not anymore.” She gave him a tight smile that was anything but genuine. “Let’s just say you showed me the light.”
    He exhaled an irritated breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. “So what’s all this mean? We’re done? We’re over, just like that?”
    Breeze lowered the magazine with a sigh. “No, baby.” She reached up and stroked his face. “You know I love you.”
    “I don’t think you do.” Michael moved to stand, but she placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled him back, giving his lips a soft kiss. “Now what’re you doing?”
    She smiled. “Kissing you.”
    “With the same mouth you