Corrupt By Penelope Douglas

• • • Corrupt ~ Excerpt • • •

I fell back to my feet and crept through my apartment as I listened to the pounding that had now become a steady attack. My feet followed the sound, stepping absently closer to it, and I finally pressed my ear against the wall leading to my hallway, my heart racing as the vibrations touched my skin. 

Resting my cheek against the surface, I swallowed the tight lump in my throat as the thumping against the wall grew faster and faster. 

There was someone over there. In the empty apartment. 

Holding up my phone, I dialed the office downstairs but got no answer. I knew there was a night manager named Simon Something- Or -Other, but I didn’t think many people were on duty at night. He must be away from his desk. 

I continued listening, wondering if I could ignore it and just wait until morning to ask the manager about it, but the further down the hall I travelled, the louder it got until I was standing next to the rear entrance. 

Opening up the door, I peeked my head into the hallway, holding the heavy steel exit open just enough to inspect. 

Glancing to my right, I saw a door just like mine. And then I heard a woman ’ s high-pitched cry ring out around me, and I started breathing harder. 

And then there was another cry. And another, and another, and ...

 

Was she having sex? My mouth fell open as I tried not to laugh. 

Oh, my God. 

But I thought the place was supposed to be empty.

 I stepped out, knife in hand — just in case — and walked quietly down to the other door, glancing up and seeing small security cameras along the wall, probably installed when the apartments were built. 

Pressing my ear to the door, I listened, still hearing the thump, thump, thump of something hitting the wall, and the girl ’ s breathy cries over and over again. 

I folded my lips between my teeth, covering my smile with my free hand. 

But then the woman cried out. “ No! Ah, oh, God! Please! ”

And my face f ell, hearing the fear in her voice. The short, shrill screams were now different. Panicked and scared, and her cries sounded struggled. My mouth suddenly went dry as I stood there listening. 

“ Ah! ” she cried out again. “ No, please stop! ”

I backed aw ay from the door, not finding it funny anymore. 

But then something hit the door from the other side, making a loud thud, and I scurried backward. “ Oh, shit, ” I gritted out under my breath. 

I shot my head up to the cameras, now wondering if they fed to Security downstairs or to whoever was inside the apartment. Did they know I was out here? 

I spun around a nd dashed for my door, grabbing the handle and trying to twist it. 

But it was locked . “ Dammit! ” I mouthed. Fucking thing must lock automatically. 

Another thud hit the door, mere feet away from me — so close — and I darted my eyes over to it, my breathing turning fast and painful. 

I pulled on the door handle again, twisting and yanking, but it didn't budge. 

Another thud hit the door, and I jerked upright, dropping the knife. 

“ Shit. ”

I dived down to pick it up, but just then I heard the other door swing open, so I bolted down the stairwell, hiding behind the wall and forgetting about the knife. 

Fuck!

Screw this. Whoever was coming out of the vacant apartment was definitely someone I didn’t want to meet. I dashed down flight after flight, a cry lodged in my throat as fear gripped my chest. 

A pounding echoed above me, and I spared a quick glance upward, seeing a hand sliding down the railings as whoever it was jumped flights of stairs. 

Oh, my God. I raced down, one flight after the other, a drop of sweat gliding down my ne ck. The pounding was getting closer and closer, my legs about to give out as my exhausted muscles worked as fast as they could. I gasped, seeing the door labeled LOBBY. I yanked it open and burst through, looking behind me once again to see if he — or she — was behind me. 

But then I slammed into a wall, and I let out a small cry as hands gripped my upper arms.

I looked up a nd exhaled a breath, seeing Michael Crist towering over me, his eyes narrowed.    

“ Michael? ” I breathed out, frozen in confusion. 

“ What the hell are you doing? ” He arched a brow and set me back, away from him, and let g o of my arm. “ It ’ s after one a.m. ”

I opened my m outh, but nothing came out. Why was he here?

He stood in front of an elevator, a different one than I had taken this morning, dressed i n a black suit , looking like he ’ d just been at a club or something. A young brunette stood next to him, beautiful in a tight, navy-blue cocktail dress that fell mid- thigh. 

I suddenly fel t exposed, dressed in my silk sleep shorts and black tank top, my hair hanging about, probably in tangles.   

“ I ...” I looked over my shoulder again, noticing that whoever had followed me down the stair s hadn’t come out the door yet. 

I twisted my he ad back, looking up at Michael. “ I heard something up on my floor, ” I told him. 

And then I shook my head, still confused. “ What are you doing here? ”

“ I live here, ” he shot back, and I immediately recognized that ever-present intolerant tone that he always used with me.  

“ Live here? ” I questioned. “ I thought you lived in your family ’ s building. ”

He slid a hand into his pocket and cocked his head, looking at me point-blank like I was stupid. 

I closed my eyes, expelling a sigh. “ Of course, ” I breathed out, realization hitting. “ Of course. You ’ re the one who lives on the twenty-second floor. ”

• • •  About Penelope Douglas  • • •

Penelope Douglas is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Fall Away series.

She dresses for autumn year round, loves anything lemon flavored, and believes there is too much blood in her Coca Cola stream. Or too much Coca Cola in her blood stream. Or ...

You know what? It doesn’t matter. She loves Coke. Now you know.

She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and daughter.

Website + Facebook + Twitter + Pinterest + Instagram + Goodreads

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Exerpt 

I fell back to my feet and crept through my apartment as I listened to the pounding that had now become a steady attack. My feet followed the sound, stepping absently closer to it, and I finally pressed my ear against the wall leading to my hallway, my heart racing as the vibrations touched my skin. Resting my cheek against the surface, I swallowed the tight lump in my throat as the thumping against the wall grew faster and faster. There was someone over there. In the empty apartment. Holding up my phone, I dialed the office downstairs but got no answer. I knew there was a night manager named Simon Something- Or -Other, but I didn't think many people were on duty at night. He must be away from his desk. I continued listening, wondering if I could ignore it and just wait until morning to ask the manager about it, but the further down the hall I travelled, the louder it got until I was standing next to the rear entrance. Opening up the door, I peeked my head into the hallway, holding the heavy steel exit open just enough to inspect. Glancing to my right, I saw a door just like mine. And then I hear d a woman ’ s high-pitched cry ring out around me, and I started breathing harder. And then there was another cry. And another, and another, and ... Was she having sex? My mouth fell open as I tried not to laugh. Oh, my God. But I thought the place was supposed to be empty. I stepped out, knife in hand — just in case — and walked quietly down to the other door, glancing up and seeing small security cameras along the wall, probably installed when the apartments were built. Pressing my ear to the door, I listened, still hearing the thump, thump, thump of something hitting the wall, and the girl ’ s breathy cries over and over again. I folded my lips between my teeth, covering my smile with my free hand. But then the woman cried out. “ No! Ah, oh, God! Please! ” And my face fell, hearing the fear in her voice. The short, shrill screams were now different. Panicked and scared, and her cries sounded struggled. My mouth suddenly went dry as I stood there listening. “ Ah! ” she cried out again. “ No, please stop! ” I backed away from the door, not finding it funny anymore. But then something hit the door from the other side, making a loud thud, and I scurried backward. “ Oh, shit, ” I gritted out under my breath. I shot my head up to the cameras, now wondering if they fed to Security downstairs or to whoever was inside the apartment. Did they know I was out here? I spun around and dashed for my door, grabbing the handle and trying to twist it. But it was locked. “ Dammit! ” I mouthed. Fucking thing must lock automatically. Another thud hit the door, mere feet away from me — so close — and I darted my eyes over to it, my breathing turning fast and painful. I pulled on the door handle again, twisting and yanking, but it did n ’ t budge. Another thud hit the door, and I jerked upright, dropping the knife . “ Shit. ” I dived down to pick it up, but just then I heard the other door swing open, so I bolted down the stairwell, hiding behind the wall and forgetting about the knife. Fuck! Screw this. Whoever was coming out of the vacant apartment was definitely someone I didn't want to meet. I dashed down flight after flight, a cry lodged in my throat as fear gripped my chest. A pounding echoed above me, and I spared a quick glance upward, seeing a hand sliding down the railings as whoever it was jumped flights of stairs. Oh, my God. I raced down, one flight after the other, a drop of sweat gliding down my neck. The pounding was getting closer and closer, my legs about to give out as my exhausted muscles worked as fast as they could. I gasped, seeing the door labeled LOBBY. I yanked it open and burst through, looking behind me once again to see if he — or she — was behind me. But then I slammed into a wall, and I let out a small cry as hand s gripped my upper arms. I looked up and exhaled a breath, seeing Michael Crist towering over me, his eyes narrowed. “ Michael? ” I breathed out, frozen in confusion. “ What the hell are you doing? ” He arched a brow and set me back, away from him, and let go of my arm. “ It ’ s after one a.m. ” I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Why was he here? He stood in front of an elevator, a different one than I had taken this morning, dressed in a black suit, looking like he ’ d just been at a club or something. A young brunette stood next to him, beautiful in a tight, navy-blue cock tail dress that fell mid-thigh. I suddenly felt exposed, dressed in my silk sleep shorts and black tank top, my hair hanging about, probably in tangles. “ I ...” I looked over my shoulder again, noticing that whoever had followed me down the stairs hadn’t come out the door yet. I twisted my head back, looking up at Michael. “ I heard something up on my floor, ” I told him. And then I shook my head, still confused. “ What are you doing here? ” “ I live here, ” he shot back, and I immediately recognized that ever-present intolerant tone that he always used with me. “ Live here? ” I questioned. “ I thought you lived in your family ’ s building. ” He slid a hand into his pocket and cocked his head, looking at me point-b lank like I was stupid. I closed my eyes, expelling a sigh. “ Of course, ” I breathed out, realization hitting. “ Of course. You ’ re the one who lives on the twenty-second floor. ”

 

 

I enjoyed the fright of not knowing what was coming and from where. “ When we used to wear the masks, ” Michael said, dropping his voice to a near whisper, “ you liked it, didn't you? It scared you, but it turned you on. ” I raised my hesitant eyes and tried not to let out a laugh. What was I supposed to say? That the fact that they ’ d looked like monsters got me hot? I shook my head clear and stood up, saying in a quiet voice. “ I ’ m going to bed. ” I grabbed my phone and took a step, but Michael ’ s voice stopped me. “ Come here, ” he said softly. I turned my head, narrowing my eyes. Come here? He sat up, resting his forearms on his knees and waiting, while I shifted on my feet. He was always playing games. I didn’t trust him. But the temptation to engage was too great. He was right. I was getting good at it, and I kind of liked it, too. I took slow steps, holding up my chin to steel myself. When I reached him, he placed a hand on my hip and pulled me in be tween his legs. I gasped as he fell back against the sofa again, pulling me in with him. I shot my hands out, planting them on both sides of his head on the back of the couch, keeping myself upright as I leaned into him. “ Say it, ” he breathed out, holding my hips with both hands now. “ It turned you on. ” I closed my mouth and shook my head, looking down at him with a challenge. “ I know it did, ” he maintained, a fire in his eyes. “ Did you think I couldn’t see how tense your body would get or how your nipples got hard through your shirt when you saw me wearing it? You ’ re a little twisted. Admit it. ” I folded my lips between my teeth, turning my head away. But then he tipped his chin up and caught my nipple between his teeth through my tank top, and I closed my eyes, letting out a small cry. Oh, God! The heat of his mouth swooped into my stomach as he released my nipple and then snatched it up again, dragging it out between his teeth. “ I ’ ve got the mask upstairs, ” he taunted, kissing and nibbling on me through my shirt. “ I can get it if you want me to. ” No. No, I wasn't like that. I pushed away from him, but he held me firm. “ Michael, let me go. ” But then I felt my phone vibrate in my hand, and I quickly glance d at the screen, seeing no name with the number. Reading the number, though, I noticed that it was his mother ’ s. That ’ s strange. I thought I had her number saved in my Contacts. But I let it go, remembering that my mom was with her. I needed to take this call. Planting my fists on Michael ’ s chest, I shoved him away. “ Get off me. Your mom ’ s calling. ” All he did was laugh, though, and my face fell. He grabbed my arm and threw me down onto my stomach and came down on my back, pinning me to the couch. I breathed hard and fast, feeling his cock press against my ass as he snatched my phone out of my hand. I stared wide-eyed as he placed it a few inches in front of me, hi s finger hovering over the green Answer button. “ Michael, no, ” I rushed out, panic making my lungs ache. But he swiped the screen anyway. The ringing stopped, and I heard silence as she waited for me to say something. “ Say hi, ” he whispered in my ear.