Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“He said that I must have some good friends in really high places, and that I’m the luckiest inmate in the world.”
“After they made me change out of the uniform and into my clothes, a guard escorted me through the gates and a driver picked me up outside,” she said. “A driver in an Audio, Elizabeth. Can you believe that?”
Tears fell past my cheeks.
“The guy drove me to the airport and I got to experience a private plane all to myself, minus the flight attendant and the pilot, of course.”
“Of course…” I choked back a sob.
“Then when we got here—which holy shit, what a place—they gave me this wallet and told me to take the elevator to your condo number.”
She handed it to me before jumping on the bed.
I flipped through the billfold, thumbing through the gift cards to various high-end clothing stores, hair salons, and a personal “Call me let’s set up your new life” agency. But the card that stood out the most, didn’t feature any name or number at all.
Welcome to the firm…
“Okay, wait a minute.” She stopped jumping and placed her hands on my shoulders. “I know all these tears aren’t for me.”
“Of course, they are, Ellie. Every single one.”
“I don’t think so.” She looked into my eyes. “It’s Mr. Carter, isn’t it?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Not at all.”
“Want to order me everything off the best pizza café’s menu and catch me up on what’s been going on?”
“There is no ‘him’ anymore, Ellie.”
“Oh, come on,Elizabeth…”
“I wanted him to love me.” My voice cracked. “I was just sex and work partner to him…”
SUMMONS (N.)
A DOCUMENT ISSUED BY THE COURT AT THE TIME A LAWSUIT IS FILED, STATING THE NAME OF BOTH PLAINTIFF AND DEFENDANT, THE TITLE AND FILE NUMBER OF THE CASE
ELIZABETH
The doorman at Damien’s condo smiled at me as I approached.
“Nice seeing you again, Elizabeth,” he said. “How have you been lately?”
Heartbroken. “Good, and you?”
“Same ole, same ole.” He escorted me to the elevator and hit the button for Damien’s floor.
The doors glided shut and my brain taunted me with all the times we’d stumbled inside kissing after hours, all the times we’d come here after long stakeouts and he’d devoured me for dinner.
As much as my brain begged me to call him for this occasion, I’d never be able to live with myself if I didn’t see him face to face.
Ding!
Stepping out of the car, I hesitated a few moments before knocking on his door.
He answered the door shirtless, and I bit my bottom lip at the familiar sight of his chiseled chest. He was wearing a pair of grey sweatpants that hung off his hips in a way that made me want to tug on his drawstring and let him have me right here.
“Hello, Elizabeth,” he said, his voice deep.
“Hello, Damien.”
“Would you like to come inside with me?”
I nodded, but the word “no,” fell from my lips.
Just say what you came here to say, Elizabeth.
“I wanted to thank you for getting my sister out of prison,” I said. “I don’t know how you did it, or what type of strings you had to pull, or what you even think of me and all the lies I told you, but I appreciate it beyond measure.”
He stared at me.
“Ellie really wasn’t involved with what happened that night, if you’re curious,” I said. “We were innocent.”
He remained silent.
“I had an entire speech planned but I left it, and—”
“You look beautiful as hell,” he interrupted me.
“You do, too.”
“Come inside, Elizabeth.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?” he asked. “Date with your new guy?”
“No, we didn’t work out.”
“Why not?”
“He thought I was hopelessly stuck on my last guy.”
“Are you?”
Silence.
“I’m not sure how I can ever repay you for what you did, but if you ever need a favor, don’t hesitate to call and let me know. Thank you for everything, Damien.”
“You’re welcome.” He stepped forward and kissed me without an invitation.
I wrapped my arms around his neck out of comfort—my body instantly remembering how good he used to be.
He stared into my eyes, silently asking me if I wanted what he was tempted to give me, and I moaned in response.
Pushing me against the hallway’s wall, he deepened his kiss, whispering my name between breaths. He slid his hands under my dress and against my thighs.
“Damien…” I tugged on his drawstring, pulling the knot loose.
Between ragged kisses, he pushed down his pants and his briefs, and without saying a thing, I wrapped a leg around his waist, giving him access to what he’d made his.
Cupping my ass, he guided me onto him until he was buried deep, and he kept his eyes on mine as he fucked me recklessly.
“Ohhh goddd…” I dug my nails into his back, and he groaned, but he didn’t stop. He reminded me of just how much I missed this—us—with every deep stroke.