Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
I brought him to that room. The one reserved for partying in our company.
I gave him the coke, but I didn’t know it was laced. And then I left him there to get whiskey and cigarettes.
I brought him to his death.
I can never tell her that. I can barely admit it to myself.
“Did you ever mess up so bad, you thought you could never make it right?” I ask even though his answer doesn’t matter. I guess I just don’t want to feel so alone.
“We all do; you just find a way. I’m sorry, but it’s the best I’ve got.”
“Find a way …” I say the words softly, barely moving my lips as I look at the edge of the comforter, wishing it were that easy.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Evan. I did everything for your mom, and I’d do it all again. Maybe that’s where you went wrong?”
“What’s that?” I’m quick to ask him, my gaze focused on Pops and whatever it is he has to say. I’m desperate for an answer to all this shit. I need to take it all back.
“You weren’t thinking about her.”
His words sink in slow, but deep.
I shake my head and agree, “No, I wasn’t.”
“The best thing you ever did was marry that girl.” I nod my head, feeling a jagged pain move through my body. “Worse thing you ever did was leave her side.”
He doesn’t know how true his words are.
Kat
You left a space beside me,
You left me all alone.
You left a space beside me,
I thought my heart would turn to stone.
You left a space beside me,
Desire creeps in the night.
You left a space beside me,
Lust fills the emptiness up just right.
The evening skyline is gorgeous. The colors of autumn dance along the buildings and the beautiful hues of orange and soft reds travel up to the bright full moon.
It’s early for the moon to be out, but as I walk away from the townhouse, down the stone steps as the heavy walnut door shuts behind me, I can’t help but admire it. There’s beauty in nature and having the small bit of it above the city is something I’ve taken for granted for so long.
With each step, my boots click on the concrete, until my body stumbles forward and I nearly fall down the last two stairs.
“Shoot!” I cry out as I frantically reach for the iron rail and just barely get a grip tight enough to keep me upright. My purse is flung down to the crook of my arm, spilling odds and ends, including my phone, onto the busy street.
I curse beneath my breath as my cheeks heat with embarrassment and I keep my head down. Most people walk around me, and I’m fine with that. Better than fine. I’m happy that they’re just ignoring me and my clumsiness.
I crouch down low to grab the fallen items, ignoring the bystanders as they steer clear of me but as I stand up, I realize someone didn’t miss my fall and their eyes haven’t left me.
“You okay?” Jacob asks as he comes toward me, nearly out of breath. His cheeks are slightly red, the chill of the air getting to him. His hand is cold on my shoulder as he helps me stand upright. His thick black wool jacket brushes against mine and the heavy scent of pine, a masculine fragrance I love, fills my lungs.
“I saw you from across the street,” he tells me as I blink away my surprise. Not only from his presence, but from my reaction.
I brush the hair from my face and give him a grateful smile as the crowd continues to walk around us. This city doesn’t stop for anything or anyone. Jacob walks with me to move out of the way and stand on the stairs to my townhome.
“Just a clumsy moment,” I say in a breathy voice and reluctantly laugh at myself as I steady the bag back onto my shoulder. This is so embarrassing.
Jacob shrugs and slips his hands into his pockets as he says, “I expected worse.” As he speaks, his perfect teeth show, and I can’t help but eye his lush lips. “Honestly, that was a nice save.”
A warmth flows through me.
“Well thanks,” I say, shifting my weight and shaking my head. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m checking out a townhouse down the street. Moving to the city was definitely the right move for me.”
“And have you thought of the contract at all?” I ask him and then bite the inside of my cheek. “I don’t mean to be forward. I’m just excited to work together.”
I don’t miss how his eyes stray slightly to my breasts when I breathe in deep. He turns away, toward the street to try to play it off and licks his lower lip. Maybe it was a subconscious thing on my part. I almost feel the need to apologize.