Read Online Crazy From the Heat by Mercy Celeste - Free Book Online Page A

words. He knew what it was like to be out
of control.
    “No
need to be sorry.”
    “I
was weak. I let him hurt me.”
    “He
can’t now.”
    “You
don’t know…”
    “I
know. I know all about it.”
    “Because
you’re a cop?”
    “Because
it happened to me, once. I thought I loved him. I didn’t see him for what he
was. I tried to end it and it went wrong. He was another cop. It went very
wrong. I left to start over.”
    Grey
nodded against his chest. His breath coming in gasps as his tremors subsided.
“I should change the lock.”
    “That
would probably be a good idea. Have the landlord change the downstairs locks
too. Your neighbor was afraid for you. She needs to be safe too.”
    “Yeah.
Oh, God she heard us?”
    “I’m
afraid so. Called the cops too.”
    “They
didn’t show up.”
    Paul
didn’t have an answer for that. He’d have to check, since it was the precinct
he was assigned to. Maybe the simple fact that they couldn’t get in the outer
door was the reason. Maybe they hadn’t bothered.
    “I
did. And I’ll stay as long as you need me.”
    “You’re
going to get me in trouble.”
    “I’m
going to try and keep my hands to myself.”
    “And
what if I forget in school. What if—"
    “Just
call me Spicoli and everything will be fine. It’s not like we’re doing anything
wrong.”
    “We
kissed. Once.”
    “Twice.”
Paul wouldn’t point out where Grey’s hand was during that second kiss. He was
pretty sure that he’d forgotten that part of the night.
    “Twice.”
Grey sat up, he seemed in control now. “How in the hell am I supposed to look
at you in my class knowing my hand has been down your jeans?”
    “Oh,
hell. Now you remember that?”
    “I
never forgot it. Or the sounds you were making.” He blushed and looked away.
“Okay, not good. I’m getting hard just thinking about—" He winced, going
pale which caused the bruises on his face to stand out in stark contrast. “I
don’t know how to handle everything right now. I’m attracted to you. Broke up
with a boyfriend I didn’t know I had because of you. It’s been so damned long
since I slept with anyone and I get beat up…” He moved out of Paul’s arms and
walked to the back door and out on to a small balcony that looked out over a
couple of smaller buildings and a parking lot.
    “I
could give you a few names if you want? If you need someone to talk to about
what happened.” Paul followed him out into the early afternoon heat. September was
just a few days away and it was unbearably hot still. Last year in New Orleans
had been the same. “God, it’s hot.”
    Grey
reached out and took his hand. Paul got that he liked to touch. And he didn’t
mind so much. He liked being touched. “I’ll be fine. It wasn’t what you think.”
    “I
think he forced you into sex that you didn’t want, and then beat the hell out
of you when you didn’t give him what he wanted.”
    “Okay,
it is what you think.” Grey looked away. “I called your name. I was still under
the pain pills. I get weird on pills. He flew into a rage. Guess I shouldn’t
fuck under the influence.”
    Paul
squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry.”
    “You
know what? I’m not. Okay. I’m not happy about looking like a piñata right now.
But it’s over. I handled it. You came in hours after and besides a few broken
dishes, I handled it. His drugs and what the fuck ever isn’t part of me. I
didn’t let him…” He stopped talking and Paul could see how hard he struggled
for the words. Denial. Yep. Grey was in it. “Who am I kidding? If you hadn’t
shown up he’d still be here and who knows what he would have done.”
    “What’s
your cell number?” Paul pulled his phone out of his pocket and keyed in the
numbers as Grey rattled them off. “If he comes back, call me or text me or
whatever. I will drop what I’m doing and be here for you.”
    “Why?” 
    “Because
you’re not the only one fighting attraction, Prof. And I’m a cop. Why do I