Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Azelie did her best not to make a face. Andrii had admitted he knew Billows. She didn’t want him repeating anything she said to the man. “I would prefer not to talk about him,” she finally said.
“May I ask why?”
The pad of his thumb swept over the pulse on her inner wrist. She couldn’t look away from his eyes. They had lightened to that intense silver. He still had that soft, gentle tone, intimate and warm, but something in his eyes reminded her of a predator. That silver seemed to pierce through any veil she tried to hide behind. She feared every secret she had was exposed to him.
“You know Billows,” she pointed out. “And he’s my boss. I don’t talk about him to anyone. It was a fluke and wrong of me that I admitted I work for him and that I helped keep him from getting into trouble with the tax investigators.”
“Do you believe I would betray your confidence?”
At the sound of disappointment mirroring the look in his eyes, her stomach twisted into hard knots. She detested hurting him. Was she really afraid he would tattle to Billows?
The waiter brought the appetizers and drinks, once again choosing her side of the table to serve the food from. She felt more self-conscious than ever, and she almost tugged at the hem of her dress to cover the exposed tops of her silk stockings. As if he knew what she was thinking—and he probably did—Andrii shook his head. That small gesture was enough to keep her from fidgeting and giving away the fact that she had little confidence in herself as a woman.
Andrii waited until the waiter had left the table before he persisted in getting his answer. “Zelie, this is extremely important. Do you believe I would betray you by telling Billows anything you say?”
She shook her head. Just the way he looked so disappointed in her gutted her. “No, I’m just not used to discussing him.”
“I wondered why he didn’t help you after you lost your family. Surely, he must have come around to the hospital to see you.”
“No, we don’t have that kind of relationship. Alan is moody. One time he can be rude and abrupt, another time funny and charming. He also can be very intimidating. Not in the way you are, but more as if he might hurt you if you don’t agree with him. I stay away from him as much as possible. That’s why I do the books when no one is around. I told him I could concentrate better that way. If he needs to speak to me about anything, the meeting is very brief.”
“You would prefer not to work for him,” Andrii stated and indicated the food. “He isn’t a friend, Zelie. I met him a few times because when I’m in the city, I like to play occasionally.”
She didn’t like the idea of him with other women, so she didn’t respond. Instead, she tried the crab cakes and then the oysters. The food was amazing.
“You were going to tell me about your nightmares,” he reminded her, changing the subject. “How often you have them and whether it interferes with your sleep.”
Azelie wasn’t sure it was true that she’d started to tell him about her sleepless nights. He’d asked the question, and it appeared as if he was determined to get an answer. She knew if she said she didn’t want to discuss it, he would accept the limitation, but he would be disappointed. She’d already not only disappointed him but offended him.
“I have nightmares nearly every night. I’m afraid to go to sleep. I often play music or listen to thunderstorms to lull myself to sleep. Sleep never lasts long.”
“Have you spoken to a therapist?”
“Yes, when it first happened.” She took a cautious sip of the drink. To her shock, it was delicious. “This is really good.”
His smile was slow and this time lit his eyes. It didn’t last long, but her heart sang at his reaction.
“The food is too.”
“Trusting me to look after you has its rewards,” he pointed out.
“Yes, it does,” she agreed.
The rest of the evening was magical for Azelie. She found the longer she was in his company, the more relaxed she became. The view was so spectacular that she kept getting caught up in staring out the window. They talked mostly about her. He asked her questions regarding the merry widows and their two gentlemen friends. He seemed so interested in everything about her, down to the smallest detail. How long she’d known the merry widows, why she chose to go to the small coffeehouse rather than one of the larger chains.
The conversation continued on the drive home, although mostly on her end. Each time she wanted to ask him a question about himself, he got there before her, asking her something new about her life. She really didn’t want the night to end, fearful that she might not see him again. He hadn’t indicated one way or the other that he wanted to see her again when he pulled up in front of her building.