My Sweet Punishment by Amelia Brooks (best book club books of all time .TXT) 📕

        I was really hoping those words weren’t directed at me. Perhaps, in a fit of strong emotions, the woman forgot something here and came back to pick it up. But, no. There was no one else in the gazebo except the man, leisurely sitting on the bench, and me, hiding in the bushes and trembling.

       Hell, why is this all happening to me??

       I kept quiet, and it seemed I wasn't even breathing. Let him think he’s imagining things. Oh, God, please. I was a good girl.

        “All right, we can wait. I’m actually not in any hurry,” the voice said mockingly.

      That’s it… There’s no point in hiding anymore. I’ll only amuse the man with my hide-and-seek, or even worse, make him angry. And two furious men at the same party are too much for me. I sighed heavily and started to leave my insecure shelter.

        I hardly managed to get out of the bush as the skirt of my dress was caught by its branch. I also think I even heard the fabric crack.

        A chuckle came from the side.

        Argh! He’s just making fun of me! But I’m the one who suffered the most here.

       I didn’t get too close to the man. I decided to keep a safe distance from him. You never know what’s in his head. I can’t see his face at all, and, to be honest, I don’t really want to. The only thing I wish I can do right now is just getting out of here as quickly as possible. I mean, not only out of this gazebo but also of this endless estate. I want to go back to my cozy, quiet apartment. I’ve had enough of adventures.

      “It’s not what you think. I just...” I started to explain, frantically shaking the leaves off myself.  

      “What do I think?” the man interrupted me. “That you just spied on us boldly?”

     “Yes, I know it looks that way, but I was actually here by accident because…” I suddenly stopped. Why the hell am I even making excuses? Is he the police officer? Or was I caught by committing some kind of a crime? No! And, anyway, he can hardly see my face, only if he gets too close. So I decided just to run away ‘cause in a few hours he won’t even remember me.

       As I turned to walk proudly out of the gazebo, I suddenly started and almost screamed with horror.

       “Not so fast.” The hot strong hand grabbed mine. What a habit of grabbing my hand they all have?!

     At first, I was taken aback by such impudent behavior and turned to the man to tell him off good and proper. But I just swallowed my tongue. The silhouette moved so close to me that I could clearly catch the smell of expensive men’s perfume. Quite nice smell. My body even got goosebumps.

       God, Mia, what are you thinking of?!

     "What are you doing? Let me go!” I tried to get my hand out of the man’s grip, but he didn’t let me.

     The stranger didn’t hurt me, but he held me very tight. What does he want from me? Am I going to get accosted again? I was so tired of my helplessness that my eyes started to fill with tears.

      I saw the man raising his hand over me, and I squeezed my eyes shut. Would he hit me now? I held my breath. But nothing happened… I just felt how the man barely touched my head. I opened my eyes and gave him a surprised look.

     “It doesn’t seem to be your headdress, does it?” I saw a small twig in the man’s hand. It must have gotten stuck in my hair when I came out of the bushes.

      “Thank you…” I looked at him, being confused.

     The man let go of my hand, and I turned to leave the gazebo. Its exit was lit only by the moonlight. I’m glad I can finally escape from here. When suddenly…

     “Mia-a-a! Babe, where are you?” I heard the voice I wanted to forget. Mike! I groaned in despair. I can't let him find me.

     I rushed back to the gazebo to hide, but because it was so dark here and I couldn’t see much, I bumped into the man who was still standing in the same place. Apparently not expecting such behavior from me, the stranger did not have time to step aside and stretched out on the bench which luckily appeared to be right behind. And I just fell on top of the man.

      “Mia-a-a! That’s not fair, babe. This game is supposed to be played by two people. Come out, babe! I promise I’ll be good this time.”

      After these words, I think my heart was literally jumping out of my chest. I felt how the man beneath me put his hands on my waist. But I didn’t resent it, because Mike might have heard my voice.

     “Hmm..” The stranger chuckled and whispered softly, “So, Mia...” I didn’t pay much attention to what he said, because I heard how footsteps started approaching the gazebo. Well, I’m done!

      Suddenly the man lifted me up and put me on his lap. But before I could even gasp, his hands pulled my face to his and I felt hot, stiff lips on my own.

     What!? I thought my heart was beating so fast before but I was wrong…  ‘Cause now, it’s about to explode!

      “Oops, I’m sorry.” I heard Mike’s voice behind me. “But could you tell me, please, did the girl just run past here?” I was trembling. I think I was close to passing out. Whether with fear or with something else…