Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
This woman was a Rubik Cube, and just when I thought the colors matched, they moved again.
“What do you want me to do?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“I’ll do anything.”
She smiled, wide and high. “That was precisely what I wanted you to say. I’ll keep your secret, for now…”
“Madam—”
“You’re excused,” she stated, turning away.
“But I’m not—”
“Second rule to learn is never question me. I don’t love you… yet… and you have to earn that right. Now. You’re excused.”
I bit my cheek, wanting to object, but I knew better and walked away. I drove to Christine’s apartment. She lived near campus with her boyfriend, Derrick. I needed to clear my head and to stop thinking about the afternoon I had experienced. I felt like a failure. I barely knew Madam and she had me feeling disappointed in myself. I wanted to make her proud, and the fact that she told me she didn’t love me was a phrase I wasn’t ready to hear.
I knocked on the door and my day went from bad to worse.
“Hey,” Landon greeted.
“Hi,” I replied, taken back that he was there.
We stared at each other for a few minutes, not saying anything. He finally stepped aside and let me in.
“Christine isn’t here,” he announced.
“Oh…” I answered, immediately looking at the ground. I couldn’t look at his face; it was too painful.
“You just missed her. She had class.”
“Right, I knew that.”
“You look beautiful. I mean, you’ve always been gorgeous but now you’re just stunning.”
I peeked up at him, taking his gaze of lust and torment all at the same time.
“Landon…” I whispered.
“What? Don’t say the truth? Am I not allowed to do that anymore? What’s with the makeover? I’ve seen you in heels maybe a few times. Just wanted to look more grown up?”
I shrugged.
“Is that all I get now? I can’t even get you to talk?”
I sighed. I didn’t know what to say.
“Okay… I get it. I’ll see you around.”
I nodded.
He took one last look at me and left.
I spent the entire day mourning over a loss that I never had.
At least not to me.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
<>D<>
A year went by and I was twenty-nine, although I felt like I was much older. I’ve always felt like I was way beyond what my age reflected, even when I was a kid. My sister had her daughter, Deahna, who I was absolutely in love with, and Liv actually made the dean’s list at school. Her husband, John, was also advancing nicely. I was very proud of them both. We all helped out with the baby as much as we could.
One afternoon will forever stay in my mind. It started off like any other day, but the moment she walked into my bar with her bright green eyes, I knew I was in trouble. Her name was Ysabelle Telle and I didn’t know how much she would change my life, in more ways than I could have ever imagined. She ordered a Cuba Libre and I didn’t ask for her ID, she appeared to be twenty-one with the way she carried herself, which was much different than most women in Miami. A sort of confidence she didn’t even know she portrayed. It was alluring and the tiny woman sitting before me immediately captivated me.
She had tan skin and this petite body that was perfect for her bone structure, with her long brown hair that was down to her waist. But it was her bright green eyes that I couldn’t look away from; they had the power to bring a man to his knees. They would tell you the world if you let them.
When I handed her the drink, she immediately looked at my ring finger, just as all women did.
“Do you know of any places hiring?” she asked, moving her pouty lips that were made for things I shouldn’t be thinking of.
I looked at her and smiled. “What are you looking to do?”
What a loaded question…
I could tell she was reflecting on how to answer me. “I’m not quite sure. I’m a fast learner, though. I just need to make some money and by that, I mean today. I just picked up and moved here from Tampa so I need to make some money fast; not really crazy about living on the streets.” She halfheartedly smiled.
I thought about her response and I knew from the second she stepped foot into my bar that she couldn’t be from Miami; the city hadn’t corrupted her yet. “What’s your name, and how old are you?” I questioned.
She stuck out her hand. “Ysabelle Telle, twenty-one, you?”
I shook it. “Devon Hill, twenty-nine.”
“Well, nice to meet you, Devon Hill.” She gave me a flirty smile. “Now, about any hiring’s, do you think you could help me?” She bit her bottom lip and it stirred unexpected emotions in me, but not in a sexual way… in a protective one.