Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
"I know exactly what I'm looking for," I say with my head high and a challenge in my eyes.
He dips his head in acknowledgment just as another group of women walks into the room.
My gut twists once again as each woman walks out and it's not Kaylee.
"Jesus fuck!"
Just when I thought all hope was lost, the woman in question catches her toe on the threshold of the door and sprawls like a baby giraffe on the floor.
She's muttering to herself, literally cursing her own existence, as the other women cover their laughter with their hands.
Edmon clearing his throat puts a stop to the chuckles, and it tells me just how much power the man has over the women.
"Shit," she hisses as she tries to get back on her feet. "Sorry."
She stands, running her hands down her dress and cringing as if the texture of the fabric makes her sick to her stomach.
She looks much different than she did two days ago. Gone are the jeans, t-shirt, and grocery-store-issued apron. She's in a slinky gold dress that completely washes out her skin tone and black heels that give her a handful more inches on her short stature.
She sweeps hair from her face and looks down the line of women, her lip curling a little when she gets to Edmon standing at the end.
Instead of looking happy when she turns her gaze in my direction, her eyes narrow, and she looks just as irritated as she did when I bumped into the cereal box display, as if I'm only there to ruin her night.
At least she recognizes me, but I don't give her any hint that I know her.
My pulse is raging. The fact that she's actually here and I can help her makes me want to jump for joy, but I know we could both be in a serious amount of danger if the big burly man at the end of the line suspects anything.
I stand, doing my best to look bored, praying it isn't suspicious that I start on the opposite end of the line, furthest away from Kaylee, despite having started at her end with the previous two groups.
"Very pretty," I say, walking past one of the smiling women. "What's her name?" I ask Edmon, faking interest in another woman.
"Helene," he says.
"Helena," the woman corrects.
I dip my head and give her a smile, wondering if she's actually interested in me when her cheeks flush a pretty pink color.
"And this one?" I ask pointing at Kaylee.
"Natural brunette," Edmon answers. "But I think you'd be happier with someone else."
"Is there something wrong with her?"
Edmon pulls in a deep breath before shaking his head. He anticipates her causing me problems and leaving here without her would more than likely put her in danger. She could very easily be pulled from any and all lineups after sprawling out on the floor and cursing like a sailor.
"I think she fits the bill," I mutter as I make a circle around her.
I swear the woman growls at me from deep in her gut, and the name she calls me is something I never would've imagined her saying. I fight a smile at how annoyed she is despite the situation she has managed to get us both in. Does she not understand how deadly this situation could turn?
"I think I'd like to get to know her better," I say while looking directly at her.
Her eyes widen, and it's as if it's the first time that she's realizing that there's a possibility of something happening to her that she doesn't want.
"I can give you five minutes," Edmon says, stalking across the room and waving a hand at another door on the far wall.
"Five minutes?" I ask. "Doesn't seem like it'll be long enough. I'm choosing the love of my life after all."
Edmon laughs like I've told a joke before opening the door and reaching in to flip on the light.
"After you," I tell Kaylee when she continues to glare at me.
Her eyes narrow even further, but after a long breath, she turns and wobbles toward the room.
I know the room will be monitored. I know I can't just go in there and explain what the hell is going on. I have to be creative and it's why I press myself fully against her the second the door is pulled closed with us inside the room.
"What are you—"
I grab her wrists and hold them down at her sides when she attempts to push me away, leaning my head in as close to her ear as I can manage without brushing my lips against the lobe.
"Do you have any fucking idea how dangerous a place like this is?" I growl. "What the hell were you thinking?"
She freezes, making me realize my entire body is against hers. I put an inch or so of distance between us but keep my mouth close to her ear.