Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 32174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
After I talked with Elle on the phone, I let her know I would personally handle the case and make sure that Zoey got the full treatment. She’d get live-in bodyguard protection until we caught the stalker. I wouldn’t leave her side until there was closure on the situation. It wasn’t enough to make sure it went away. I needed to make sure it never happened again. For some reason, just looking at her picture made me feel protective of her. The thought of anything happening to her made my blood run cold.
Luckily, I don’t have anything keeping me from staying with Zoey for as long as it takes. I’ve always been kind of a loner. My dad skipped out on my mom and me when I was little, and my mom died two years ago from a heart attack. She drank like a fish and smoked like a chimney, but it was fast when she passed, thankfully. The only family I have now is my boy Pink, but he comes from a big German family that’s always making him eat, and I try not to get up in his business. I know he just wants me to join in on their fun, but having never really had much of a family, I always feel awkward and don’t know what to do with myself when I’m around them. It’s better he just goes and does his family thing and we hang out after.
Getting into Zoey’s apartment was a fucking joke. The doorman was asleep at the counter when I went by, only slightly stirring when the ding of the elevator went off. Getting into her apartment and bypassing the security was just as easy. The system isn’t a bad one, but putting four zeros as your passcode isn’t smart. For all this talk about this chick being a genius, she didn’t seem to think that through.
“Cupcake? What does that mean?”
She doesn’t flinch at my words. Instead, she tries to get closer to me. This chick looks way too innocent to be trying to pull one over on me. What’s her motive, I wonder, narrowing my eyes at her.
“It means I’m here as your hired bodyguard, which also means I’m staying here. My name is Drake Hart, and I’m in charge of your security.” I make my words firm, brooking no argument. Her sister said it might be hard to get Zoey to agree to the security, and normally I wouldn't take a case like that. I don’t want to be chasing after someone who doesn't want our services, but with her, I’ve found myself making an exception. The need to make sure she is safe is riding me hard. I can’t let someone hurt her It is clear she needs someone to watch over her and I am going to make sure that person is me. “Want to show me to your spare bedroom?”
“Aren’t you going to sleep with me?” she says, tilting her head to the side, still looking up at me.
My cock got hard the second she walked in the door, but I swear to God, I just popped a button on my jeans. The damn thing is going to bust through any second if she keeps talking to me like this. Fuck, to be in her bed with her…I wonder if her sheets smell as good as she does.
Looking into her eyes, I see no seduction or hidden agenda. She genuinely thinks that I’m supposed to sleep with her. “And why would I do that?” I nearly choke out before taking a deep breath, trying to pull myself back.
“If you’re here to protect me, day and night, the closest place to do that is by my side. You could show me your scars then.”
She looks down my cheek and over my body unapologetically, and I’m once again stunned by her bold talk. What the fuck? How has this curvy goddess not got a ring on her finger? Following her forward lead, I go for it.
“Why aren’t you married?”
“I’ve never found anyone I wanted to test intercourse with.” Her words are simple and to the point. Almost like I should just know this.
Someone could come in and knock me over with a feather right now. Is this girl telling me she’s untouched? Jesus Christ.
“You always this forward?” I ask to see what she says. Seems she likes the truth. No beating around things.
“I guess so. Most people hate it. I say what I think. I think my mind works a bit different than most. I guess I’m sorry if I offended you. But I don’t see how. I was just answering your questions.”
I feel myself smile a little, and I let out a breath. “No. I like it. Cuts through the bullshit.”
3
Zoey
I just stare up at him as I debate my options. Everyone seems to think I need security, but I just can’t seem to wrap my mind around someone stalking me.
“I’m not sure this is all necessary.”
His dark green eyes narrow on me, the half-smile dropping from his face. Maybe he doesn't like me cutting through the bullshit as much as he thought.
“I’m standing in the middle of your apartment, and you didn't so much as scream. This is despite you knowing someone has been stalking you. I could have been that someone. Fuck. I could be that someone.”
I snort and roll my eyes.
“Yeah right, Hulk-man.” I pat him on the chest before resting my hand there. I start to rub. I only meant to do a quick pat, but now I can’t seem to remove my hand. I like the feel of him. I don’t think I’ve ever liked the feel of a man before. I don’t think I’ve ever had the urge to touch one before.
Once I let some CEO of a company I was working with kiss me. It was slimy and awkward and I hadn’t had the desire to try it again. I only did it that one time before because I wanted to see what it would be like to kiss. Why so many people always felt the need to do it.