Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
The guard chuckles, eyes my letter, then takes it from me. “It’ll go out tomorrow.” He turns to go, but then notices the pen in my hand. Pens are contraband, given they can be used to smuggle drugs in and out of the prison as well as be used as stabbing weapons in prison fights. But he just looks at me, then turns and leaves the cell.
I have to smile. This may be just another letter going out the door, never to get another response, but it may be the one that finally gets her attention. And I’m never going to stop hoping, because I’m a starving man, and the only cure for my desperate hunger is Elena.
3
Elena
I shouldn’t have this here – a letter from a prisoner that this firm helped convict. I should have left it at home, not brought it in to work, but when it showed up at my house after my conversation with Kelly, it was like I couldn’t just leave it at home; I had to have it with me.
For a violent murderer, Bain’s writings have gotten more and more romantic as they’ve gone on, one particular part specifically:
Every day inside here is torture, like being in a nest with vipers, my only solace being the moments when I’m alone and am able to gaze upon the one object of beauty I have managed to sneak past the guards – the one item they don’t know I have. A picture of you. I remember you from my trial, Elena, and how you looked at me like I was a human, a man worthy of being treated fairly, and that kindness went straight to my heart.
I stay awake at night thinking of seeing you again, being close to you, not having to simply dream of your touch, your scent, seeing your beautiful eyes looking deep into mine. I know that you know I would never hurt you. I want only to make you happy like you have made me. Come and see me, Elena. Let me show you my gratitude for the way you treated me.
* * *
“Wow…” I sigh, my eyes going over the letter again for the third time this morning. Am I really thinking about going to see Bain, the serial killer? Kelly made a good point last night; it’s not like he’s going to be getting out of prison any time soon – at all, as a matter of fact. So what do I really have to worry about?
And just imagine the ferocity, the intensity, the power…God, I’m getting turned on right here in the break room just thinking about it.
“Is that the Jansen contract?” A voice behind me spooks me and causes me to whirl around, but not before tucking Bain’s letter into my pocket. I see Rick Paulson, not quite a partner but almost, leaning in the door behind me, a cup of coffee in his hand, the overpowering stench of Armani cologne invading my space like a powerful plague.
“No.” I smile. “Something personal.”
“Personal on hard copy? You must be old fashioned.” He smiles, stepping into the room. “I like that in a woman. Old fashioned.”
I already can see where this is going and shrug. “Well, ya know. Professional, career woman here, so…”
“I know that.” Rick grins, showing coffee- and cigarette-stained teeth. “And I bet you’re always looking for someone who could help…fast-track your career. Am I right?”
Yup. He’s definitely going there. Shamelessly too.
Rick’s got some kind of new cologne on today, and it’s not great. Smells like a mixture of something a college bro would wear and leftover garbage. He also has on way too much of it like he bathed in it.
“Well, I believe in old fashioned hard work, ya know?” I reply, forcing a smile. While Paul may not be a partner, he is good friends with the partners and will make partner within a few years. This is one of those awkward situations where I can’t offend him, but I also, for my own mental health, can’t go and sleep with him for whatever favors he may have in mind for me.
“You know what the difference is between you and me, Elena?” he asks, stepping even closer, so close I can hardly breathe through the overpowering stench of cologne.
“Um, I’m a girl?”
“Exactly!” he laughs, pointing a finger in my face. “And as a guy, I’m the guy who has to do that old fashioned hard work. You shouldn’t have to!”
“Excuse me?”
“See, God granted you with gifts. Gifts like a sexy face, breasts, and an ass that make men like me swoon.”
“Okay, I should get back to my desk—”
“And I know I may not look like much,” he interrupts, stepping in front of me. “But a little blue pill, and I’ll rock your world all night long.”