Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
“Ruin, what are you doing here?”
“I come with breakfast.” He held up a wrapped pastry bag from a bakery she adored. She rarely went in as their items were always so expensive, but when she wanted a treat, that was the place. She adored their cinnamon rolls. They always were sweet and delicious, with the right amount of frosting. The scent of cinnamon filled the air and her mouth watered. Even though she wasn’t in any state to have company, it seemed rude to tell him to leave.
She stepped back and opened the door wide enough for him to enter. He walked through and closed the door.
“Why don’t you have any bolts on this thing?”
“Huh?”
“You do realize a single lock will not keep intruders out.”
She frowned and rubbed at her temple. “I have the bolts but I haven’t installed them.”
“Why didn’t you pay a guy?” he asked.
“I couldn’t afford it.”
She wasn’t going to waste money on jobs she could eventually learn how to do.
Ruin tutted. “Get me the bolts.”
“Ruin, you don’t have to do that. I can do it. I’ll figure it out.”
“I’m doing this, now get me the bolts.”
She rolled her eyes but rather than argue with him, which wouldn’t be too productive, she moved toward her drawer beside the door and grabbed him the package of bolts. He took them from her.
“Do you have any screwdrivers?” he asked.
“Erm, no…”
He tutted again. “I’ll go and grab some.” He stood. “Enjoy your breakfast. I’ll be back to fix your door.”
Before she could argue or tell him not to go, he was gone. Callie held onto the bag of cinnamon rolls and frowned. What the hell had just happened?
Ruin was coming back. She glanced down at her negligee and winced. It was time to get changed.
She put the bakery bag on the kitchen counter, but her mouth was watering too much to just leave them there. Callie opened the bag and inhaled the sweet spice of cinnamon. She had to have a bite. She pulled off one of the pieces and put it in her mouth. It was so good.
She had to get changed, otherwise, she’d still be in her bedclothes when Ruin returned. She didn’t know where he had to go, but she wasn’t going to risk it. After the kiss last night, she had to wear clothes, not be ready for bed … for sex. The thought of Ruin, naked in her bed, wasn’t a bad thought.
She scrambled around her bedroom, changed into a pair of jeans and a shirt, and ran a brush through her hair. Checking her reflection in the mirror, she was relieved to see she didn’t have any makeup smudges or sleep in the corner of her eyes. Everything was clear.
She left her room, went back to the kitchen, and then enjoyed another bite of the cinnamon roll. It almost brought tears to her eyes, but she held them back. She was about to take another bite when she heard a knock. Making her way to the door, she checked the peephole and sure enough, Ruin was back. She opened the door. He tutted again.
“Why are you tutting?”
“You need to learn to take care of yourself. Do you have any idea how easy it would be to break into this apartment?”
“How are you getting into the building?” she asked. “I didn’t buzz you in.”
“That thing doesn’t work.”
She opened her mouth, closed it, and then stared at him. “What? No, that’s insane. I type in my code all the time. It has to work.”
“It doesn’t. I didn’t need to be buzzed in. See why having your apartment bolted is a good thing?”
She thought about going to the landlord, but the truth was he creeped her out. It was why she always paid her rent on time. The way he looked at her—or better yet, leered at her—she made sure to never be alone with him. Some women came out of his apartment, looking a little … well, it didn’t take a genius to know what they were doing.
“Would you like something to drink?” she asked.
Ruin was already on his knees, opening the bolts and getting them installed. He worked fast.
“A coffee would be good.”
She nodded and quickly made her escape.
Ruin was in her apartment. He was installing bolts to keep people out, but he was still inside her apartment. This was normal. Having a guy in her space was totally normal.
She filled her kettle and put it on to boil. She only had four mugs in her home. One was for everyday use, she also had a Halloween mug, as well as one for Christmas. The spare mug had never been used. Callie had purchased it as a “just in case.” How pitiful of her to have a mug that had never been used. Shaking the thoughts from her mind, she added some instant coffee to the mug. She never had sugar, and only took some milk.