Total pages in book: 225
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
He’s staring at me with an unreadable expression on his face as I swing out of there.
I’m practically vibrating with anger as I take the short, four-minute trip home.
When I pull into my driveway, I see Adam has already gone, which isn’t surprising; he told me he’s going out to meet some friends at a sports bar for wings and to watch a game. He’s pretty stoked about his new wheels and newfound independence after selling his car six months ago to Lawrence, our old neighbor.
I’m still shaky as I unload the groceries.
“Chloe,” I hear and startled, I drop a bag, sending vegetables and fruit tumbling onto the driveway.
Derek squats and begins picking things up. His SUV is parked directly behind mine, still running.
“You can’t be here,” I whisper-hiss.
“You didn’t give me a choice,” he says, filling my reusable grocery bag with the food. “That wasn’t very nice, little bunny.”
He flashes a little grin and eyes me from head to toes. I’m in jeans and a light sweater. Nothing fancy. I don’t even have make-up on. But he’s looking at me like I’m dressed for a night out or something.
I don’t return the smile. “This isn’t funny.”
“I wanna talk,” he says.
“I don’t,” I return.
He scratches his jaw thoughtfully as I pull the other bags out of the trunk, move aside and hit the button to shut the hatch.
“I’ll rephrase then. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?”
“No way can you come into this house. Are you crazy?” I huff, then add, “I have nothing to say to you.”
“But, I have things to say to you.”
“I don’t need to hear what you have to say.”
“You do,” he counters. “Am I helping you bring these in so we can talk? Or would you rather meet me at my place?”
“Neither,” I snap.
He leans forward. “Refusing me is not wise.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“Chloe, I want to talk,” he says searching my face.
“Go fuck yourself,” I snap and storm toward the house with grocery bags dangling from each hand.
He halts me by catching my wrist. “Chloe,” he warns.
His grip isn’t painful, but it is tight.
Our eyes meet.
“My fiancé is in there,” I hiss.
“He’s not,” he corrects. “He’ll be out until at least midnight. That gives us five and a half hours.”
I’m now frozen in place.
“Take your groceries inside and drive to my apartment. See you in twenty minutes. It’s important.”
I frown. “Important?”
“Yes,” he says simply. “And don’t lie to me again, baby.”
“Don’t baby me, Derek. I told you I don’t want to see you again.”
“Come over. Don’t call anyone first.”
“Why can’t I call anyone?” I ask. “I think we both know you’ve done some pretty shady stuff to get me where you wanted me the other night, so that comment sends up a major red flag.”
His expression softens. “We need to clear the air. I promise, you want to hear what I have to say to you.”
“I don’t think so,” I say simply.
He stares at me for a moment, saying nothing, so I try to pull my arm out of his grip. He doesn’t let go. Instead, he pulls me in so he can get his mouth to my ear.
“I didn’t want to play it like this, but you’re not leaving me a lot of choices.”
I wait for him to elaborate, but all my senses are suddenly about to hit fight or flight mode.
“Meet me at my place in twenty minutes. If you don’t, I’ll have to come back.”
My jaw drops as he delivers the threat.
“I’ll come back when he gets home,” he adds, releasing me.
His eyes coast over my face, over my entire body. His top teeth skim his lower lip before he whispers, “Twenty minutes, Chloe. Don’t make me wait longer than that.”
He relieves me of all the groceries, carrying them to my front step before turning around, giving me a look loaded with… I don’t know… something that feels sexual… before he walks to his SUV and leaves.
The lady across the street is watching from her front window.
I don’t know most of the neighbors yet, but I’m sure most of them certainly know who we are having seen us come and go with Adam’s wheelchair.
I manage to pry my feet from where they’re glued on the driveway and press my entry code into the smart lock before I hurry inside with my bags. I lock the door before I lean back against it, body shaking, heart hammering against the wall of my chest like it’s about to take flight.
Am I overreacting? Does he just want to talk? No. What could he possibly want to talk about that would have him threatening to come back here when Adam gets home?
My phone dings so I pull it out of my bag. It’s a number I don’t recognize.
20 minutes, Chloe. I won’t harm you. Use your thumb to get into the building. The condo will be unlocked too so come right in. I’m waiting.