Carnal Knowledge by Celeste Anwar

CHAPTER ONE
    “Hold it, bitch.”
    Kaeli Jackson stopped instantly at the mouth of the dark, narrow
    alley, a chill creeping up her spine at the mugger’s high, nasal voice. The door to Inferno was only thirty odd feet away, but she’d never make the run in her heels. She hadn’t gotten decked out in a year, and she’d break
    something if she tried it. The bass from the music pounded outside--there was no chance they’d hear her scream or anything else. She was on her
    own.
    The mugger moved up behind her. “Damn you’re phat, bitch.” ‘PH’
    phat he meant by the tone of his voice--he damn well wasn’t commenting on
    the size of her ass. She didn’t want to tell him phat went out a year ago. He pinched an ass cheek and she gritted her teeth, biding her time, hands
    clenching.
    CARNAL KNOWLEDGE
    Celeste Anwar
    3
    He snickered and released her. “Gimme your purse.” He wrenched at
    it on her shoulder and she slipped it off, dropping it on the sidewalk from his grasp.
    “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” she babbled like a helpless female,
    glancing down and watching him stoop to grab the purse. His hand snaked
    out, and she lifted her foot to grind her heel into the back of his hand--the meaty part near the thumb. Blood welled instantly. His high pitched
    scream rattled her eardrums. She twisted, grinding him into the rough
    pavement, knocking him back on his ass with a shin kick she’d learned in
    KardioKick.
    He sat back, clutching his hand to his chest, crimson rivulets
    streaming down his arm. Kaeli got her first look at her would-be attacker.
    A damn punk ass kid . Why were they always kids? Quick perusal of the pavement confirmed he didn’t even have a weapon--stupid damn kid. Hell,
    even she packed in these neighborhoods, not that it had done her any good.
    “What the hell are you doin’ robbin’ people when you ain’t even got
    your pubes yet, brat?”
    He glared at her. “For the hell of it, bitch.”
    Kaeli crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes. Should
    have known it by looking at his gear--baggy britches and tight, long sleeved shirt, a chain on his waist. He had skater extremist written all over him.
    Just like a damn extremist--it was getting to where they’d do just about
    anything for a rush. “Fair enough.”
    She bent and snatched his wallet off the chain. He didn’t try to stop
    her--still nursing his wound. He’d live, that was sure.
    “You can’t rob me! That’s not fair,” he said in a whiny voice.
    CARNAL KNOWLEDGE
    Celeste Anwar
    4
    A sure sign of immaturity. “Insurance, brat. Now get out of here.
    You’re damn lucky you wasn’t brandishing or I’d sic the cops on your ass
    right now.”
    He continued glaring but scrambled to his feet and backed away until
    it was safe to run.
    As he disappeared around the block, Kaeli sighed, wondering if it had
    been a wise move. She knew he was priming for prison, but she’d put
    enough fear in him maybe he wouldn’t do anything else tonight. She’d
    make a call to the cops once she got inside and turn his wallet in--not that the cops would do anything more than spoil an already marvelous night.
    As it was, she wouldn’t be surprised if he was taken in and sued her
    for hurting him in the mugging--it was the American way, after all.
    Kaeli had just turned back toward the club when clapping came from
    near the dark alley’s entrance. She halted and tensed, expecting renewed
    attack. Maybe she had gone crazy....
    “That was an entertaining show, petite,” a deep, rumbling voice spoke
    from the shadows. Gooseflesh raced over her skin just listening to it.
    “Who the hell are you?” She couldn’t help being defensive. She’d
    just been attacked, after all. She put the kid’s wallet into her purse, slipping her hand on the butt of her gun.
    “You don’ need a pea shooter for me.”
    She startled inside, tightened her hand on the butt. How the hell did
    he know that? Lucky guess was all. Had to be.
    He