Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“That’s—”
“A fine piece of man, that’s for sure,” she whispers. “Do you have these men stored somewhere?”
“I should go. Have a good holiday.”
“Have a good night.” She leans in and kisses my cheek before I turn in the direction of my car. He’s standing there, watching me in a way that makes me uneasy. Sucking in a breath, I slowly make my way across the lot. He’s blocking my car door, so I can’t get in, and he makes no move to shift out of the way when I approach.
“You really don’t work for him,” are the first words out of his mouth.
“I don’t,” I confirm.
“Interesting,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest. I can see the similarities between the two. Both are around the same height, with strong jaws and full lips, but the eyes are where they differ. They’re so different.
“I’m Oriana.” I offer my hand. His eyes flick to it, and he licks his lips before he takes it. “You already knew that, though, didn’t you?”
He holds on to my hand.
“I did. It’s curious… I never really took my brother for the redhead type.”
“I never took him to have a brother who specializes in stalking,” I bite back.
He clicks his tongue. “And she has fire.” He drops my hand and steps away from my car, so I can open the door. “Care to accompany me for dinner?”
“That’s a hard no.” I smile to lessen the blow. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Grayson,” he says. “But those who know me call me the bogeyman.”
I try to stop the laugh that bubbles up, but I can’t. I cover my mouth with my hand and laugh into it.
“You do know who you have been fucking, right? You seem…sweet. Innocent. I wonder if that was the attraction.”
“It possibly was, but what does it matter to you?” I ask, lifting a brow.
“I’m telling you right now you aren’t aware who you are lying with. Jake hasn’t gotten where he is today by being a good boy. Do you know I learned from him? And when I realized he was happy and content where he was, but I wanted more, I left. And I made myself bigger, scarier. Do you want to know why they call me the bogeyman?” he asks, leaning down into my personal space. “It’s because I have no problem killing you when you sleep. And when those eyes open as I slice your throat, I’m the last person you will see.” He pushes away. “Bogeyman.” He smirks. “I’ll be seeing you, Oriana.”
“Goodbye, Grayson,” I say as calmly as possible, holding back the scream I want let rip as I watch him leave. As soon as he’s gone, I get into my car and lock the doors, calling Jake with trembling fingers.
He answers straight away.
“Let’s get one thing straight. We are not an item. You need to stop introducing me to killers, and y-you…” I pause, trying to rein in my shaking voice. “You need to stay out of my life. And your brother too. Both of you,” I blurt before he can even say hello.
“You’ve seen my brother?” he asks apprehensively.
“Yes. I’m watching him get into his car as we speak. He was outside of my work, waiting for me by my car.”
“I’ll handle it,” he assures.
“Good. And lose my number. I never want to see you again.” I hang up on him, start the car, and drive straight home. As soon as I’m inside, I lock the door and open a bottle of wine.
How has my life gone from being married.
To separated.
To having the best sex of my life.
To now…
What-the-fuck-is-happening?
Right now I plan to drown myself in a bottle of wine, waiting for my best friend to come over with pizza.
I may be drunk when she arrives if she doesn’t get here soon. I pour a glass, and drink it down quickly, followed by a second before a knock comes on the door, and I hear Simone’s voice on the other side. Gripping the bottle—because I decided to give up on the glass—I throw the door open. She holds two boxes of pizzas and has a huge smile on her lips.
“I brought us brownies…” She laughs. “Special brownies.” She holds the bag up, shaking it. “We need to eat one before the pizza.” She puts everything on the counter, removes the bottle of wine from my grip, and hands me a brownie. I eat it without a second thought before she opens the pizza. “Dig in.” She takes out her own brownie and sits opposite me. “So, Kyler was on your front steps. I told him to fuck off.”
I groan and drop my head into my hands.
“He had papers in his hand. I’m guessing divorce papers?” she asks, as I told her I sent them to him.
“Yep, needed to be done,” I say, reaching for the bottle of wine. “I’ve been having great sex with someone who is a possible killer.” I groan. “How does one deal with that?”