Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“You are a man on a mission.” He got out, and I slipped the ticket in the front of the windshield before locking the car with the push of a button.
“It’s already so late,” I murmured as we headed to the street to turn left towards the art gallery.
“She knows you were thinking about her.”
I smiled at Justin, and we made our way to the modern building with a wall of glass windows facing the street. The lights were dim and intimate with candlelight flickering in the room. I thought it might be too dark but once we were inside, I saw the paintings lit up. “Holy shit,” Justin gasped. “This is great work. Have you seen any of it before?”
“Yeah.” The setting made them look great, and I paused to look around. A few had some tags on them, and I wondered if they sold. I wanted to buy one for my place and hoped there would be a decent selection. “They look incredible tonight like this.”
We got a few looks as we gazed around, and Justin nudged my arm. “I see Tori. Want a drink while we mingle?”
“Perfect.” I needed it after the excitement of the game. I headed with him to the nearest mini bar, and we got beers before he walked over to greet Tori with a kiss on the cheek. I searched the room for Elyse but didn’t see her. I could see there were different rooms of the gallery, all of which held her paintings. I walked through the tight crowd and replied to one or two fans who recognized me, trying to appreciate their support as I looked for my girl. I made a point to always be kind to those who kept my career going, but the fact that I couldn’t find Elyse worried me.
I made my way to the end of the building, not seeing her, and turned around. Justin was with Tori, and they were close together. He had an arm around her waist as she laughed at something he said. They looked happy, and I paused to take it in, feeling anxious that I couldn’t touch Elyse.
I walked back to the entrance and looked around again, finally seeing a glimpse of a woman down a hallway. It was Elyse. My cock hardened even more. I grinned and stepped forward to get her, pausing when I saw a man standing too close to her as they spoke intimately and alone. I frowned as I stepped closer to see the man was with her at a desk where it looked like they were supposed to be doing paperwork. It was clear he was thinking of more, and I heard her laugh as she leaned over, ultimately moving closer to him.
What the fuck?
I felt anger rising and tried to keep it at bay as possession took me over. I never felt this way about any other woman, and it was making my head hurt as I sipped my drink to calm down. I watched them, and the man flirted harder as jealousy flooded me. They seemed to finish up finally and turned to return to the crowd. She looked more beautiful in person, and I stared at her as she blushed at something he told her in her ear.
Elyse turned and saw me. Her mouth dropped open and then closed again, and I felt relieved that her lipstick was still on. At least she wasn’t kissing him, but they were too close for comfort right now. She pulled free and said something to him as she drifted towards me.
“Ryder, you made it.” She sounded nervous. The man followed her.
“I recognize you from somewhere,” the man said, and I glared at him. He was looking at the closeness between Elyse and me with distaste, and it occurred to me that she didn’t tell him about me. Hadn’t I said to her that I was serious about her?
“Ryder Bellamy. Hockey.” I kept my words short and offered him my free hand, holding tight when he shook it.
“It’s good to meet you.” He looked again at Elyse. “I assume you know one another?”
Elyse shot me a helpless look as if she was warning me to stay quiet.
“We’re dating,” I curtly said as he raised an eyebrow.
“I had no idea. Elyse didn’t tell me that.” There was a smirk on his face, and I desperately wanted to punch it off his face.
“I haven’t spoken much about anything other than the showing,” Elyse said as she looked up at me. “Lucas, I’ve been seeing Ryder for a little while. However, I thought you weren’t going to make it.”
“The game ran late. I’d never miss this,” I said, taking in her dewy, full lips with longing. My world dimmed, so I only saw her, and Elyse blinked. When I looked around, we were alone, and I stared down at her. “Don’t you want to be with me?”