Cravings Read Online Free PDF Page A

through her already swelling lips.
    He grabbed her by the shoulders. “Loves you? Nobody loves you but me. I took you off the streets, taught you everything you know.”
    His expression shot fear through her—it was worse than she’d even been frightened of him before. He pushed her down to the bed. She fought back. Which was one of the worst things she could have done . . .
    She should have agreed to stay with Sam. She should have taken it. If she had, maybe Paul would still be alive. He wouldn’t be with her. But he would be alive. She rolled over on the couch, sobbing, between wakefulness and sleep. Someone said something. Was she dreaming?
    â€œSeñora?”
    Her heart almost stopped.
    â€œYes,” she said, sitting up.
    â€œClosed,” the security guard said. “You’ve been here all night?”
    She nodded and reached for her bag.
    â€œI’m sorry I drifted off to sleep,” she said.
    The man seemed concerned. “Okay?”
    She nodded. He tried his best to communicate in broken English.
    â€œFollow me,” he said, then led her to the door.
    â€œThanks,” she told him. She walked out of the library into cool early morning air.
    She took a deep, pull-up-your-big-girl-panties breath. She didn’t want to trouble Sanj. But she suddenly realized Sanj was her only option. Well, at least until she found Maeve. The only thing to do was to come clean with Sanj and place it in his hands. She was so glad he’d given her the card key to his room. He trusted her enough to do that. She owed him an explanation.
    But when she entered the suite, she was met with his soft snores. Poor guy. Asleep on the couch, half-undressed.

Chapter 6
    A throbbing pain in Sanj’s neck awoke him with a start. Damn, he’d fallen asleep on the couch, completely clothed—shoes and all. Well, one shoe. Where was the other one? He was twisted in his clothes—his jacket half-on, belt undone. He was a mess. Finally he sat up, checked out the clock on the wall: 11:30. And it was light. So it must be A.M. Had he really slept all that time?
    Coffee.
    If he could just pour it into his veins, instead of having to make it and wait for it.
    But wait. Was that coffee he smelled or was he dreaming?
    He lumbered toward the kitchen and found a full pot of freshly made coffee. Someone had been in the kitchen of his suite.
    Mary.
    He poured himself a cup of the steaming liquid and turned around to see her on the balcony, looking out over the harbor. She appeared deep in thought.
    His eyes scanned the room. His other shoe was under the table? He shook his head. He must have been half-dead. He made his way to the bathroom. When he came back out, she sat in the same place, in the same position.
    He opened the glass door and stepped out, the air hot and sticky, making him immediately regret his movement.
    â€œMary?” he said.
    â€œSanj!” She turned around and wiped her face quickly.
    Had she been crying?
    â€œNot dead, then,” she said.
    He laughed and sat down, taking another drink of his coffee.
    â€œThanks for making the coffee,” he said. “I should have gotten you some.”
    â€œI’ve had plenty today,” she said. “How are you feeling?”
    â€œI’m sore,” he said, sitting down on the chair next to her. “My neck . . . all twisted.”
    She immediately rose and reached for his neck and began to rub it. “Do you like this?” she asked.
    â€œMmmm.” he said, leaning forward to make it easier for her. “It hurts, but it feels good.”
    She made a little noise—a humph, or a stifled a laugh.
    Her fingers rubbed his tight neck, loosening those muscles within minutes. “Oh, Mary. You know what you’re doing with those hands, don’t you?”
    â€œOne of my many talents,” she said with a laugh.
    He reached for her hand and kissed it. She pulled it