Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
I look over to Maria’s shoulder and say, “Maxim, thank you.” He nods because that’s his usual response. He’s a man of few words, but his love for his wife is always ever present.
They leave and I’m left to relax on my sofa, although relaxing is the opposite of what I’m truly doing. All my thoughts go to Sebastian and how he hates me so much. God, I wish he didn’t because I miss his touch, taste, and the way his deep voice whispered in my ear.
I fall asleep and dream of a life where things between us are good, but I know that’s not reality and it startles me awake with my heart racing, body trembling with desire.
****
It’s been two months since my life changed, and I’m down at the diner serving coffee and waiting tables, which I don’t mind doing for legitimate, hard-earned money. So far, everything is good at my job except for my sleezy manager. He’s got to be ten years older than me and eyes me like a piece of meat. I should do something or say something to someone, but I need this job and can’t go running to Maxim and Maria for every little thing.
“Girl, you’re making it look easy out here. Can you handle another shift tomorrow?” Allie asks me.
“Sure. I don’t mind.” I could use the extra money.
“I should tell you that he’ll be off tomorrow, so you should be away from his predatory eyes. If you want, I can call my brother to deal with him if you’d like. He’s kind of a tough guy, if you know what I mean.” I wonder if he works for Maxim and that’s how I really got the job here. A friend of a friend, kind of thing. Either way, I can’t just ask for favors, so I pass on the offer.
“Thanks, but I’m sure he’ll get the hint that I’m not interested and move along.”
“Sure, girl. Just let me know if you change your mind. Speaking of brothers, mine has just arrived for some food.”
“Excuse me, miss. I’d like to pay my bill,” a handsome man in a suit says.
“I’ll take care of him. You go say hi to him.”
“Did everything meet your expectations?” I ask him, smiling like a good waitress because tips matter here.
“It would if you’d give me your number.”
Oh no. I duck my head and charge his card. When I hand him the slip to sign, I tell him the truth. “Sorry, I can’t. I actually don’t have a cell phone at the moment.”
He chuckles lightly. “Okay, I can take a hint. You don’t need to lie. Here’s my card if you change your mind.”
I blush because sadly, I don’t have a phone because I didn’t want to be tracked. It has made things difficult, but it’s for the best. “Thank you.” I take it to be polite, but I have no intention of calling him.
“See ya, gorgeous.” He walks out, and then I see Allie’s brother looking at me. Fuck, I hope he’s not interested too. I can’t deal with another man hitting on me when my heart belongs to a man who hates me.
Allie rushes to my side and gives me a nervous smile. “So, he’s cute. Anyway, I’m going to take my lunch with my brother. It’s a little early—is that okay?”
“Of course. Go ahead and enjoy.”
“Thanks. You’re amazing.” She gives me a hug and then runs off to give the cook their orders. Work comes and goes fast, but as the afternoon comes to an end and I leave the restaurant, I swear I can feel eyes on me, watching me.
Chapter Eight
Sebastian
Hey, boss, is this her? Julio’s message burns through my brain as I sit outside the diner watching her for the second day in a row. Two days, and I haven’t claimed what’s mine. Two days, and I’ve tortured myself while attempting to make her suffer for leaving me.
I watch Candy, obsessed with the need to make her pay on her back, on her knees, and on every damn surface I can. Hell, I’ll take her any way I can because I need that tight pussy wrapped around my cock while I breed the next generation of Diaz babies into her.
She moves back and forth, serving table after table, attempting to smile through her tired eyes and sore feet. Fuck, she’s so damn beautiful that it takes everything inside me to hold back and not storm into the diner and snatch her up. Not a single day has gone by that I haven’t been aching to touch her again.
I sit by and watch her struggle, and it brings a sadistic delight to my fucked-up soul. For two months, I’ve been looking for her; I’ve torn apart that shit-box, burnt-out trailer after I got out, looking for clues. There was nothing left to find, though, because everything was destroyed.