Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
There’s only one man that I have run into that fits that description—Chief of Police Blake.
CHAPTER 14
EMMA
Vincent idly talks as we walk. His life is so different from mine or my brother’s. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to live in a big city. Part of me thinks that it might be exciting. I bet I’d be on the move at work then. There would be no sitting in parking lots waiting for calls. Then again, how many calls could I handle if today is weighing on me so heavily?
It’s crazy to me how lonely Vincent makes it sound to live in the city. I don’t think I could hack it. The more he jabbers on, the more I find myself relaxing. His voice is calming. There’s something soothing about the low masculine tone he uses.
“How’d you do it?” I finally ask, cutting in when he starts going on about some bagel place he enjoyed back home that’s super famous 'cause they ship in water from another state to make them. Sounds strange, but I know he’s looking for things to fill the silence 'cause he can see it’s calming me.
“You have to build a wall. I know it sounds cold, but you don’t have a choice if you want to do what needs to be done.”
“You make it sound easy.”
“It’s not, and sometimes when you least expect it something will pierce right through the steel armor you created.”
“That happen a lot?” I know he probably can’t tell me much. The same as I can’t really speak to him about what happened with Brittany today.
“Kids always get to me. When that innocence gets ripped away from them, it’s heartbreaking to see. But I’m luckier than most. I get to be in the sky. I didn’t have to face it the way the men on the ground do. The way you likely do.”
I reach over and grab his hand, tangling my fingers with his. I peek out of the corner of my eye to see him smile. For the first time since I got that call today, a bit of the heaviness lifts from me. Vincent made it possible with a mere smile.
“Thankfully we don’t get a ton of calls like that one. I’m not sure I can build that wall. I think my heart might be too soft.”
“I don’t think you should. Not here. This place is different. You’re different. Don’t let anything change that.”
“You’re not such a badass, Vincent,” I tease, bumping my shoulder with his.
“I’m sure I’ll fuck up one way or another. You’re kind of fickle.”
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”
“See, I’ve already done did it.” He chuckles. “I only mean you’re soft and sweet but tough too. I never know what I’m going to get.”
“So what you’re basically saying is that I’m unreliable?” I lift a brow, glancing his way.
“Call it whatever you want, sweet thing.”
“Isn’t that a bad thing? For me to be all over the place?” I’m not so sure I’d enjoy that in a lover. I’m not a big fan of unpredictability.
“Nope, I think it’s why I’m so drawn to you. I enjoy not knowing what I might get. It gives me a thrill when it comes to you.”
“So it’s all about the thrill? I thought it was about getting laid,” I tease, or at least I try to make it sound as if I’m joking. Vincent stops walking all of a sudden, turning me to face him.
“First off, last night was not about getting laid. Secondly, that’s not the only part I love about you. When I don’t know what I’m going to get, it keeps me on my toes. I have to adapt and read your mood so that I can make my move.”
“A move to get laid?”
“A move to get you to melt in my hands.” His hands go to my ass to pull me into him before his mouth comes down onto mine. He doesn’t have to demand I open my mouth for him this time. I do it on my own, wanting Vincent’s kisses. As pissed as I was when I drove home today, I was happy that I knew he was going to be here. I was hoping he’d be the distraction that I needed.
“Ahh, Emma got a boyfriend!” a teenage male voice shouts. I groan, stepping back to see Timothy sitting on his bike with Paul next to him. Great, this is going to be all over town in a matter of minutes. Do I hate that, though? To be honest, not really. Then maybe some of the girls around here will know to back off without me having to say it and give Vincent a big head.
“Timothy, you better keep that mouth shut or I’ll tell your mom about what I saw you doing over at the skatepark.” Both Timothy’s and Paul’s eyes widen. It’s one of the perks of sitting around waiting to get calls; you see and hear a lot of things people don’t want you to. That might not be the case here, but they don’t need to know that.