Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“It looks like a really beautiful car.” Finally, she reaches out and touches her fingertips to the hood before gliding them over the shining ornament mounted to the grille. She’s afraid to touch it much more than that.
“It is a really beautiful car.” Holding the keys high, I dangle them enticingly. “Your beautiful car. Surprise.”
What did I expect? She’s not the kind of girl who would jump up and down, squeal and clap her hands. She wouldn’t throw her arms around me, bounce up and down and promise me a blowjob in exchange—not that I would turn it down. I’m not out of my mind.
That doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be nice to see a little excitement or hear a little gratitude. No, in fact, she looks disappointed. Like she’s not sure how to react.
“What’s the problem?” It’s not easy keeping a smile plastered on my face when one uncertain moment goes by after another. “Wrong color?”
Her mouth moves, but nothing comes out at first. Finally, she shakes herself and tries to smile when she looks my way. “What is this for?”
Did I wake up in the fucking Twilight Zone? Who asks a question like that? “Usually, people use cars for getting around. You know, so they don’t need their boyfriend or their best friend to drive their ass from point A to point B all the time. Not that I’m complaining,” I add, because of course there are worry lines now deepening across her forehead. “I thought you could use a little freedom. The chance to go wherever you want, whenever you want.”
“Oh,” she murmurs before letting out a soft sigh. Her shoulders slump before she adds, “I see.”
Yeah, she sees. And she’s still… what is it? Disappointed? “Are you all right?”
“Oh, sure,” she replies, still studying the car like she’s never seen one before. “It’s beautiful.”
“You already said that. Are you okay? I know you’re different from a lot of other girls, but usually when somebody has a Mustang handed to them, they say more about it than it’s beautiful.”
“I guess I’m just a little overwhelmed.” She runs her hand through her hair, and I notice the way it trembles. “I mean, it’s not every day something like this happens. Especially not to me.”
“Get used to it.” Rounding the car, I meet her at the front, draping my arms around her waist and pulling her close. Why is she so fucking stiff? What did I do wrong?
“This is the kind of thing I want you to get used to. Knowing you’re taken care of, that you have everything you want or need. You can snap your fingers, and it’s yours.”
It’s like I can’t say the right thing tonight. Her eyes widen at my choice of words, her head pulling back instead of leaning in like I would expect if she wanted to kiss me. A kiss would be nice right now. Some sign that she’s not heartbroken after her boyfriend just handed her a luxury car.
“Are you sure this isn’t a little too much?” She looks back at the car, and her frown makes me grind my teeth. We’re so close to each other, but in some ways, we are miles apart.
“I think I can decide for myself what is or isn’t too much. I wouldn’t have bought it for you if I couldn’t afford it.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way. Not exactly.”
Don’t do this. Don’t let it win. I need to keep the anger contained. It’s not her I’m mad at, anyway. It’s myself, for not being able to do the right thing. It seems like I’m always making mistakes. Pushing too hard, wanting too much. “What do you mean, exactly?”
It’s better if I’m not touching her right now. I let her go, taking a step back, putting a little space between us.
And it’s obvious that offends her, too, when her brows draw together and her lips pull into a pout. “Don’t get angry.”
“Who said I’m angry? I just want to know what’s going on here. I’m not asking you to drop to your knees or anything like that, but I would think you would at least thank me for buying you a car.”
“But why did you do it, really?”
“I told you why. So you can get where you want to go, and you don’t have to rely on me or anybody else. Don’t you want to have a little freedom?”
“If it was just about me having freedom, you could’ve bought me a used Mazda or something,” she points out, waving a hand like she pulled the name at random. “This is a really expensive car.”
“A really expensive car I can afford. That’s my problem, not yours.”
“I just... It just makes me wonder…” Folding her arms, she bites her lip hard enough that it has to hurt.
“Keep going. What is it you wonder?”