Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Finally, Zeke stepped out of the bar. He was alone, and I was so damn tempted to jump out, grab him, toss him in my SUV, and have him home with me in no time. Or I could have him right here, the backseat was plenty big enough even for the two of us.
You’re assuming he wants you to fuck him.
He does. I can tell by the way he looks at me. He’s resisting it though, because he senses how dangerous I can be. He’s trying to be a good boy.
I watched him as he walked to his black Mercedes AMG-GT. I hung back until he pulled out of the parking lot, then followed him. I made sure to keep a car or two between us. I doubted he’d notice the tail, but I didn’t want to take chances. Not yet.
He whipped around a corner, and I followed, certain now that he was heading back to his apartment.
I hadn’t found out too many details about him. I wanted there to be some mystery, some surprises, but I had found out where he lived, his phone number, his schedule, all the basics I would need to keep a close eye on him.
To stalk him.
I dismissed that scolding voice in my head which sounded far too much like my brother.
Not that Val was any kind of saint. If Liam had tried to run from him, Val would have followed him to the ends of the earth and dragged him right back here. Once he set his sights on Liam, he knew the man was his.
Just like Zeke was mine.
So why are you playing games? If he’s yours, take him.
I need some fun.
You’re scared.
Fuck no. What do I have to be scared of?
Zeke not wanting you the way Liam wanted Val.
He wants me. I can see it in the way he looks at me.
He’s scared.
And I’m going to find out why.
Maybe because you’re stalking him.
Maybe because he wants me.
I didn’t believe that though. Something was bothering him, something far worse than a hot man making his intentions clear.
Zeke turned into the garage for his building, and I drove past and circled the block. By the time I found some street parking, I assumed he’d had time to head up to his apartment. As I’d driven around the block, I’d made note of the fire escape that went up the side of the building. My research of the schematics told me his apartment was on the third floor, two units over from those stairs. I stared up at his balcony, wondering if I could access his apartment that way.
As I climbed up the fire escape, I glanced around to see if anyone was watching. I’d already looked for obvious cameras. If there were any, they were well hidden. If there weren’t any, I needed to talk to Zeke about demanding better security. Not that he’d need to worry once I moved him to my house.
When I reached the third floor, I studied the gap between the stair landing and Zeke’s neighbor’s balcony. If I climbed over the railing and stretched, I might be able to reach the balcony, but I’d probably have to jump for it, then do the same to get to Zeke’s balcony.
I looked down. The street seemed very far away.
It’s just three stories, not that far really.
You won’t be saying that when you’re smashed on the pavement.
I probably wouldn’t be saying anything at all.
But I’d never been a coward, and I’d always been stubborn as fuck, so I lifted one leg over the railing, then the other. I stood there, feet still on the metal flooring, hands tightly wrapped around the railing as the wind whistled around the building. My hair fluttered, tickling my neck. I looked over at the balcony, then down, and—
Nope. Never look at the ground. I knew better.
I took a breath, crouched down and let go with one hand. I stretched nearly far enough to pull my arm out of socket. The balcony railing was just out of reach.
A few inches more, and I’d have it.
But I couldn’t stretch any more. I was going to have to jump.
Three. Two. One.
For a fraction of a second I was suspended in the air, then my hand locked around the railing, my second hand slipped, and I hung from one arm. Fuck, my shoulder was going to be feeling this tomorrow.
I pulled myself up and managed to grab hold with my other hand. Once I got a foothold, I was able to climb over and safely stand on some stranger’s balcony.
I focused on the present, assessing my situation. Thankfully, curtains had been pulled across the balcony’s sliding door, and despite the reverberating metal and the creak of my steps, the apartment remained dark.
Only then did I let myself think about how close I’d come to falling.