Erotic Romance

Adult

100,000 words

Maria ran barefoot down the deserted street, blood streaming onto the pavement from the open wound on her leg.

When she glimpsed a flash of light, she squinted into the rising sun. The nascent rays of dawn sparkled off the chrome frame of his BMX as a teenage boy turned the corner, pedaling hands-free. The bicycle wobbled side to side as he reached into the canvas pouch on his handlebars and nonchalantly tossed rolled-up newspapers to either side of the road.

Maria made a beeline for him. The boy dragged his Keds on a patch of gravel and broken glass. When he noticed the glistening ribbon of blood trailing behind her and the tears streaming down her cheeks, he pulled his phone from the back pocket of his jeans and called 911.

CHAPTER TWO

Maria lifted her head off her folded arms and took another scan of the drab, concrete block cubicle. The glare from the harsh fluorescent lighting stung her tender eyes. She had stuffed the small wastebasket with used tissues; not another box was in sight. She knew it was gross, but she lifted her skirt and wiped her runny nose on the hem.

The nice blonde-haired man had promised to return. Where was he? He had summoned a doctor who stitched up her leg and gave her one shot for pain and another for tetanus. He had brought her slippers and wrapped her in a blanket, but she was shivering in the over-air-conditioned room.

She studied her reflection in the large wall mirror and tried to yank out the snarls in her dark wavy hair. Maria had seen enough ‘Law and Order’ to know it was two-way glass. Was anyone watching? She stuck out her tongue and wiggled her hands behind her ears.