Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
When I turn to Cindy, her eyes are wide and cheeks reddened from the spectacle.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” I ask, approaching her gently, like a man taming a wild animal. “I know what happened to you was a nasty surprise. Everything’s going to be fine now.”
She blinks through tears at me, trembling like a doe.
“You’re the producer on this show?” she asks in a whisper. “How come I didn’t know?”
I have the grace to look ashamed.
“Sweetheart, you mean everything to me, so I’m not going to pretend. I want you to be happy, and I want you to succeed in life. You’d been going to all those auditions and coming up with bupkis, which isn’t fair because you’re really talented. You’re a rose among weeds, and sweetheart, I decided that I wanted to do something to help. Money means nothing to me, so I asked a friend how to get into the business, and he pointed me to producing. I swear, I had no idea that you were going to try out for RazzMaTazzle when I took on the project.”
She stares hard a me, hiccupping a bit.
“Blake, I’ve been trying out for every and any part that I could potentially land. You must have known that I was going to audition for this one too.”
I try to look innocent but it’s impossible.
“Yes, I had a feeling you’d audition for a part in this show. It’s a play with a lot of female roles, and you’d be amazing in any one of them. So yes, there was a good chance that you’d be a good fit for my production.”
Cindy stares at me again.
“But you didn’t tell anyone that I was trying out today?”
“Sort of,” I acknowledge slowly. “The relevant people all knew, but clearly, George Fellows isn’t relevant. Why should he know that I’m dating you? He doesn’t travel in our social circle, and he’s not a great artist, either. So no, he didn’t know.”
She stares at me.
“But you were going to tell him at some point, weren’t you?”
I shrug.
“Yes, probably. When the final casting decisions were made, I was certainly going to put in a good word for you. Why wouldn’t I? You’re talented, honey, and everyone needs a small assist every now and then.”
Tears come to the beautiful blonde’s eyes and she swallows hard.
“You know, I don’t even know what’s worse: me being sexually assaulted, or me finding out that my boyfriend was pulling strings behind the scenes to get me hired.”
I hold up a hand.
“Now sweetheart, don’t get carried away. I hadn’t done anything, not really, to further your case yet. But yes, I got involved in the theater business primarily for you. I’ve always been interested in this kind of thing, the same way some guys are really interested in opening their own restaurants. But Cindy, I didn’t actually do anything yet. No strings were pulled.”
She takes a deep, quivering breath.
“And what if George Fellows had succeeded in assaulting me?” she says in a small whisper. “What if you came in here, and he was further along in his attack? Would you still want me then?”
I stare at her before rushing to her side and pulling that curvy body into my arms.
“Of course I would,” I murmur into the crown of her head while stroking that soft, golden hair. “It’s not your fault! I heard that a lot of assault survivors think that they did something to deserve the attack, but you didn’t, Cindy. This is totally on him.”
She pulls back for a moment, looking up at me with teary eyes.
“What if he actually penetrated me? Would I be sullied? Would you still want me?”
Now it’s my turn to grow suddenly quiet.
“Did he do that to you? Is there something that I missed?”
Tears start streaming down her cheeks.
“No, but I’m asking because I have to know more about the man I’m with. What if I were severely beaten and assaulted? What if I was raped even?” she asks, her voice dying to a whisper.
Now, I’m really afraid.
“Honey,” I begin slowly. “When I came in here, your clothes were still on. Your skirt was down when I interrupted his attack, but did I miss something? Did he get to you? Was I too late?”
She shakes her head, blue eyes brimming.
“No, you weren’t too late. You were right in time. But I have to know, Blake. Would you still want me even if he did that?”
I’m speaking before she can even finish the question.
“I absolutely want you, no matter what happens,” is my fierce reply. “You’re my woman. You belong to me, and coming in here and seeing him defile my property drove me over the edge. He’s lucky that guns are illegal to carry in New York City because I would have blown his head off with a pistol, had I had one on hand. But to answer your question: yes, I want you, sweet girl. It doesn’t matter what he did, or what he didn’t do to you. You are whole, untouched, and pure in my eyes, no matter what.”