A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 178

For the past couple of days, Elissa had made it her morning ritual to call her teacher and check in on Jacqueline's recovery. The news was always reassuring—Jacqueline was doing well, and the worst had passed.

Ding-dong—

Just as she closed the fridge door, the doorbell rang again.

Assuming Janice must have forgotten something, Elissa hurried over to answer it. But as soon as she cracked the door open, Max darted inside, weaving between her legs and rubbing against her affectionately.

She scooped Max up and glanced outside, expecting someone to be there, but the hallway was empty. Even the apartment across the hall was shut tight.

She ruffled the dog's head. "Did Rowan lock you out again?"

"Woof woof!"

Max nuzzled her a bit, then—as if suddenly remembering something important—grabbed the hem of her dress in his teeth and tugged her toward the hallway.

"Where are you trying to take me?" Elissa laughed despite herself, hurriedly shrugging on a jacket, snatching her phone and purse, and following him out.

But Max didn't lead her anywhere new. Instead, he headed straight back toward home.

Now, woman and dog stood in front of Rowan's apartment door.

Max looked up at her with those deep, soulful eyes, then glanced meaningfully at the doorbell, clearly urging her to ring it.

Elissa raised an eyebrow. "Can't you press the doorbell yourself?"

Max seemed to understand. He made a valiant leap, but no matter how hard he tried, his paws couldn't reach the button.

Elissa blinked. So… the doorbell at her place earlier—

She pressed the doorbell for him. After a moment, Rowan finally opened the door.

He leaned against the doorframe with a relaxed, almost lazy posture, his gaze cool and unreadable. "Forgot the passcode?"

"I'm not as close to you as Secretary Lynn is," Elissa shot back without thinking.

Elissa's mind was a complete blank. Her lashes fluttered. "I… I guess it does…"

"‘Guess it does'?" Rowan's lips curled into a knowing smile, and before she could react, he pulled her into another kiss—this one fierce and all-consuming.

There was nothing gentle or practiced about it. He kissed her like a man who'd been waiting far too long, one hand holding her up, the other cradling the back of her head, leaving her nowhere to escape.

The sensation was utterly foreign to Elissa—she felt like prey caught in his arms, completely at his mercy.

Her breathing grew ragged, her body melting beneath his touch.

Ding-dong—

The doorbell exploded through the haze, followed by the muffled voices of Frank and the others carrying in from the hallway.

They'd come to help Rowan celebrate his new place, but here she was—inside his apartment!

A jolt ran through her, and her already unsteady legs threatened to give way.