Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 109976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
“It’s nothing.” I didn’t trust the weak smile she gave me any more than I trusted her words but there was no point in digging any farther now since time was of the essence. I had a half an hour to get to my meeting and she had to get going.
So with one last kiss to tide me over I left her with a heavy heart and doubt dogging my every step. Kevin was already downstairs waiting and he and Dave had their heads together whispering. No doubt they were sticking their noses in my shit, but it wouldn’t be a day of the week if that wasn’t happening.
“Kev…”
“I know, I know, I won’t let her out of my sight. Can you stop being a bitch?” He ignored my glare and I knew he was only trying to put me at ease with his carefree manner, but that shit wasn’t working. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t right.
Giselle
My nerves are shot. Yesterday I was in another world, a beautiful world; but now reality has come screeching back. Was that it, is that all I can hope for, for the two of us, those two nights spent in each other’s arms?
My hands trembled as I put my makeup on and I fought back the tears that threatened to fall. I was already missing him, missing the ease and lightness of the past day and a half spent with him. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt such happiness, if ever.
Still I’m glad he won’t be there, that he’s not the one accompanying me to the funeral. It will make my escape that much easier. I still have no idea how I’m going to pull it off, I just know that I must. And this might be my only chance. I have a sneaky suspicion that if I don’t do it now it might become harder to leave him the longer I stay.
Even now all I want to do is remain here by his side, to have more days like the one we’d just spent together. But realistically I know that life is never that simple. How would things change if I did stay? More to the point how would he?’
Though my heart says he wouldn’t, that he was nothing like Vance, there was way more at stake here than just my selfish wants and needs. He has no idea what the senator is like, or what my real life had been these last four years. And I don’t have the guts to tell him.
“Pull yourself together Giselle.” I power talked myself out of my funk and got up from before the mirror to get dressed. I fought back nerves and disgust as I slipped into the simple but formal black dress that came to my knees and slipped my feet into the flats I’d chosen for the occasion. Easier to run in these if the need arise.
I looked around the room one last time, like a final goodbye and my resolve wavered when my eyes landed on the bed. My heart burned and my stomach ached before I turned away for what may be the last time.
As I left the room I wished more than anything that I could stay. All I had to do was tell him the truth. I wanted so badly to take that chance, but the last four years had taught me that I’m not that brave.
And besides, the last thing I want is to see the look in his eyes change when he looks at me. If I leave now I can at least hold onto the memory of the time we had together, short as it maybe. It beats him knowing the truth and turning away from me in disgust. That, I think, would kill me.
I made my way slowly down the stairs where he, Kevin and the driver were waiting. I’d met Kevin only once before, well not quite met. I’d happened to run into him once when he was with Gavin at some dinner or the other that Vance had dragged me off to.
I figured with Gavin’s temperament it was a testament to their close bond that he was allowing us to be alone together let alone trusting the other man with my care. I’d picked up on his possessive streak more than once in the last day and a half.
Gavin was prowling the room like a caged lion while the other two looked on. He stopped when he noticed me on the stairs and walked over to take my hand. He made the introductions before walking me away for one last pep talk.
“I put my number in your phone call me if you need me. I don’t care what it is, if you feel one bit of unease just call.”