Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Sorry, not your problem.” Her voice was woeful, pitiful even; she’d practiced for hours.
Don slid into the seat across from her, “I’m sorry, you mind if I sit here?”
“Suit yourself.” She dipped a fry in the mountain of ketchup she’d poured onto her plate and slid it between her lips seductively. Don’s eyes followed the movement and he swallowed hard. She was the sexiest woman he knew, a real Marilyn Monroe look-alike.
He’d grown up watching the star in those old movies his grandmother liked to watch when he was young and had been in love with the bombshell ever since. Of course he knew she was dead and it was only a silly little crush, but from the first time he laid eyes on Mel it was like coming face to face with the legend.
“I don’t like seeing you upset. I may not be able to get your husband a job, but I can lend you some money if you’re short on rent.”
“No thanks, it would take me an age to pay it back and I don’t like owing anyone.”
“How much do you owe?”
“We’re behind three months and the landlord is making noises about throwing us out on the street.” Her voice was now as vulnerable as she could make it. She saw the way his eyes stayed glued to her chest and leaned over some more, under the pretense of reaching for another fry.
Don’s mind was working fast. He’d been turned down by her too many times to count, but he figured now she was in need he might stand a better chance. He had tons of money, what he didn’t have was a woman to share it with. Sure she was already married, but there were ways around that. If he played his cards right he might even get her to leave her husband for him, in due time of course.
He didn’t know when next he’d have an opportunity like this, and as his mom always say, nothing ventured nothing gained. He took a deep breath and dove right in. “I know you’ve said no before, but…”
“Don, you’re a lawyer, I thought you had more sense. Don’t you realize I kept saying no because the club has rules?” His eyes all but popped out of his head at this new revelation and something approaching hope lit up his dull shit colored eyes.
“You mean that that’s the only reason you’ve been telling me no?”
“That, and the fact that I’m married. I already have one dead beat man in my life I don’t need another one, and I for damn sure don’t want one who spends all his time and money at the club.” She rolled her eyes at him as if disgusted by the thought.
“What do you want?” His heart was racing out of his chest. She hadn’t exactly shot him down this time and he felt hope for the first time in weeks. Melissa looked him in the eye and shook her head. “You’re just another one of those guys out to get what you want. What would be the use of me telling you what I want?”
“No, I promise I’m not like that, I really truly love you.”
“Oh come on, you don’t even know me.”
“I know enough, let me take care of you, please.” He got so flustered that he reached across the table and took both her hands in his.
“And how do you plan on doing that?” She pulled her hands away from him, but slower this time; and not with her usual snark. His palms were starting to sweat and he swore he was going to faint from over excitement.
“How much do you owe in rent?”
“About three thousand dollars.” The amount was inflated which Don knew, he already knew where she lived since he’d followed her home more than once without her knowing, but he didn’t care. He’d give her the world if he could.
“Come back to the office with me and I’ll write you a check.”
“No thanks, I don’t know you like that.”
Don pulled out his wallet and got one of his business cards.
“You got a pen?” She opened her purse and fished one out. “Here!” He took the pen and scribbled his cell phone number on the back. “This is my private number, you can call me anytime. My office address is on the front. Now you know a little bit more about me.”
It wasn’t anything she didn’t already know, except for the private number. “Why do you want to help me so much?” She took a sip from her diet soda, which had been watered down by the ice that was now floating in it.
“Because I love you.” She snorted at his answer and went back to picking at her fries. “It’s true, I know someone as beautiful as you must hear that a lot but it’s true, I mean it. I’ll prove it to you, wait right here.”