Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 58600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
“They’re underfunded,” I reply, shrugging. “They said I should call them if I notice anything suspicious.”
“Oh, poor girl.” Rowan touches my arm. “This is just awful. I always knew Damien had problems… but this. It just seems extreme. All you did was say no to his advances.”
“Maybe that’s enough for some men. I don’t know.”
“Either way, you’re going home. That’s final.” Rowan nods across the bar. “I think I know someone who will give you a ride.”
I look across the bar at Alex sitting in the booth as if he’s a regular Joe—as if, when the time comes, his body won’t swell like it’s going to tear his clothes apart, and he won’t go into full protector mode.
When he saved me, I felt my heart melting like it was full of goo, but there’s still that cautious voice inside.
“I’m not going to let Damien dictate my life. The cops will find him soon, I’m sure. Then everything can go back to normal.”
“Still, he’s waiting for you.” Rowan nods over at Alex.
Grabbing my bag with his gift inside, I walk over to his booth. Alex stands, his chest rising and falling gently now. Before, he was the equivalent of a human volcano.
“I’m giving you a ride, Tori,” he says.
“Is that an order?”
“It’s a statement of fact. You’re not risking public transport or walking these streets alone. Come on.”
He puts his hand on my lower back, his touch making my body feel all warm and tingly.
He leads me onto the street, his gaze scanning up and down to make sure Damien isn’t hidden amid the growing crowds. I can put up all the defenses I want, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like this.
And all that stuff about him maybe making up a nephew. If he was lying to me because he wanted to get into my pants, would he stare down a bullet for me? Isn’t that just silly?
It’s only a short ride to my apartment.
“Thanks for the book,” I murmur, taking it out to look at it again.
“You’re welcome. I hope you fill it with beautiful poetry, Tori. I still want to see you perform…”
“And I still think that would make me melt into a heap on the floor.”
He seems disappointed the ride is so short, his strong jaw tensing as we pull up to my apartment.
“So, I’ll see you?” I say.
“I have a feeling you will,” he replies.
“Why did you sound so mysterious when you said that?”
His eyes glimmer savagely. “I can’t shake the idea of that bastard returning.”
“Okay…”
I feel like I’m missing something. “Have a good night,” he says stiffly.
I don’t want to leave things like that. Even though I’m the one who pushed him away before, I touch the front of his shirt and pull him in for a kiss. His smile is pure and relieved, as if he thought I might not feel the same way.
I don’t, I assure myself, as we kiss. I can’t feel the same as he does. He’s looking for his one and only, and I’m not sure what I want anymore.
Our mouths open, our tongues hungrily find each other. I can feel his body blazing with desire. His hand rests on my leg; then he squeezes like he can’t simply hold it there. When he glides it up, I put my hand on his wrist.
“Not now,” I say. “Not here.”
“You’re right.” His voice shudders. “I’m…”
I think he’s going to say sorry, but he stops himself. Maybe he can’t say it because it’d be a lie. He’s not sorry for kissing and touching me. Do I even want him to be?
As I walk across the street, I feel him watching me. The truth? I freaking like it. I could get used to being his obsession if I could just let go of all this messy baggage Mom has left me with.
“Oh, my gosh,” Lily says when I tell the girls what happened a while later in a group call. “That’s just awful. Are you okay?”
“I’m pretty shaken up,” I murmur, idly making notes in the notebook Alex gave me.
“That absolute piece of shit,” Cleo says angrily. “If I could get my hands on him… Seriously, I’d break his face. And the cops haven’t even put a car outside your place or anything?”
“No, but Alex has been sitting outside ever since he dropped me off.”
“That’s nice,” Lily murmurs.
I go to my bedroom window and look at the hulking man sitting behind the wheel, his broad shoulders and thick build reassuring.
“Yeah,” I reply.
“But?” Cleo says.
She’s seen right through me. “But I think I might be a little crazy.”
“Well, that’s not news,” Cleo teases.
“Hey, leave her alone,” Lily cuts in. “She’s had a rough night.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry, Tori.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s better to pretend like everything’s normal.”
“So why this sudden thought about you being crazy?” Cleo asks.