“Shit.” James’s heart rate kicked into double time, and he jerked his head in the direction of the intruder. Before he could move, a masked figure in black raised his arm. In the glint of the moonlight, James realized with sickening clarity that a silver gun was aimed straight for his head.
“Don’t move and everything will be over soon.”
“I don’t plan on moving with that thing pointed at me.” James curled both hands into fists. What a fine damn time to get robbed when the only thing he had for a weapon were the boxer shorts covering his ass.
“Where’s your wallet?”
“On the nightstand,” James said, doing his best to keep the adrenalin shakes out of his voice. “Over here.” He indicated the table beside his bed with a rock of his head.
“This is how we’re going to do it,” the robber began. “Reach over, real nice and slow, take hold of your wallet, and place it at the end of the bed. Any funny business and I will put a bullet between your eyes.”
“All right, no need to get nasty.”
James lifted his left hand, reached over, and grabbed his wallet. Slowly, he sat up, stretched to the end of the bed, and dropped the wallet. At his new proximity to the robber, James risked a better look at the man. The thief’s mask completely covered his face and head. The only openings were the holes left for his mouth and eyes. Even with his face covered, James couldn’t miss the way the guy devoured his half-naked body with his gaze. The intensity of it made him tremble, but it wasn’t fear giving him the shakes. Instead of lowering back to the mattress, James continued on and rose to his knees, encouraged by the stranger’s blatant stare. At the foot of the bed, James swallowed hard and took a chance. One he hoped might fulfill his most wicked hidden desire.
“I have an alternative,” James murmured. |
