Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
“Now give me what I really want.” My heart does a small flutter as my mind wonders if he’s really talking about me. I know that’s a stupid idea, so I grab my backpack and pull out the case and open it. The egg is nestled inside and he moves closer to me.
“Open it.” He nods at the egg, and I look at it and see a small latch.
I click it and it makes the egg pop open. I stare down at what looks like a band covered in diamonds. Is that a bracelet? He reaches down and picks it up. I watch as a chain drops from it and a ring dangles from it as it’s connected to the bracelet. My eyes follow the ring attached to the chain as it swings back and forth. It looks real.
He steals the opportunity to catch me off guard and his hand engulfs my forearm as he snaps the bracelet on my wrist. My head jerks up to look at him and I’m shocked at how fast he moved.
“What are you doing?” I ask in confusion.
“You’re not the only one who can be quick.”
Why would he latch the beautiful bracelet onto me? I look down again at it when I feel him sliding the ring that’s connected to it onto my finger.
“I told you. My father told me to keep track of the things I didn’t want to lose, and you, little jaguar, are hard to keep track of. I’m only making it easier for me from now on.”
I grab at the beautiful bracelet and try to pull it off, but it goes nowhere. I flip it over and look for where it locks but I don’t see anything. It's almost as if someone welded it onto me. The fit gives enough room for it to move a little without digging into me but not enough room to try and cut it off somehow. Not without hurting myself.
“Don’t hurt yourself,” Bennett says and wraps his hand around my other wrist to keep me from tugging on it. “Skin this soft will damage easily and I take care of my possessions.” My mouth falls open at his comment.
“I don’t belong to you,” I hurry to say, and it's met with a deep chuckle.
He turns around and walks over to the small chair and table where I eat most of my meals. He brings the chair over in front of me and sets it down before taking a seat. It reminds me of when an adult tries to sit in a preschooler’s chair. I’m surprised the thing doesn't break under him.
“What do you want?” I ask and force myself to look away from him because my eyes are starting to roam in places they really shouldn't. I glance down at the beautiful bracelet, which is more like a cuff, and the gorgeous ring. He put it on my ring finger and it makes me look like I’m married. I glance up when he doesn't answer me and I see he’s staring at me again. I hold up my hand and think it’s prettier than anything I’ve ever seen or touched. “This has to cost more than the stupid egg.”
He shrugs. “If you haven't noticed, money isn't something I worry about. You could pull out money all day every day on those cards and never make a dent. I bet you couldn't even keep up with the interest it makes.”
“Is that a challenge?” I sit up a little straighter and he throws his head back and laughs.
“I have a feeling a lot of things with you are going to be a challenge.”
“Is that what this is? The bored billionaire looking for something to entertain him?” I raise an eyebrow. “The tabloids were right. You’re an asshole.” For the first time, something flashes across his face and I swear it’s hurt. Before I can be sure it’s gone and that cocky smile is back.
“This place isn't safe for you.” He changes the subject.
I can slightly hear the bar noise from below, but I’m so used to it I hardly notice it anymore.
“You’re one to talk. I’m pretty sure I got into your place easy enough,” I challenge.
“Something you can help me fix.” He stands from the chair. “Bradford will be wanting that egg tomorrow. Make sure you deliver it and he’ll give you another job. You’ll take it, and then we’ll see if I can catch you this time.”
“You’re cheating,” I say, pointing to the bracelet.
“But you said it already, I’m an asshole. I’m willing to cheat if it means getting what I want. If you're not you don’t want it bad enough.” With that he turns and walks out of my little studio. As soon as the door closes I jump up and run over and lock the door, not that it matters. It was locked when I got home and he was already here.