Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Chris makes a face I can’t decipher, like he’s tasted something sour. “Just out for a day in the center,” he answers cheerily, but his smile is tight and his voice sounds forced.
I frown, cocking my head to the side. I haven’t known him for long, but he’s always been easygoing and kind. Is something wrong?
“Are you okay?” I ask gently, concerned. “You seem a little…stressed?”
His smile drops, and he sighs heavily. The sudden change in his expression surprises me, my eyes widening. “I saw you with that guy,” he says slowly, jaw tense. “At the coffee shop.”
“Oh! My boss,” I supply, nodding. Our daily coffee runs are becoming a sort of routine. Sean had memorized my coffee order on day two.
“He’s also that guy from the bar, right?”
I will myself not to blush. I don’t work with Chris. There’s no reason to hide this from him, not really. But…I don’t like the weird way he’s looking at me or the way he’s talking about Sean. I shuffle slightly, moving away from him. He takes a step towards me, not letting me get more distance. My heart rate spikes.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “Just a coincidence.”
Chris snorts, his lip curling in a sneer. “Do all your bosses put their hand on your waist like that? Or flirt shamelessly with you? Is that the kind of girl you are, Savannah? Had me fooled. I thought you were sweet, not some shameless slut.”
I feel like he’s slapped me. “Chris!” I hiss, horrified. “What are you talking about?”
“I can’t believe you,” he snaps, and too late I realize that I’m trapped between a pillar and his body. I can’t back away anymore. “You blew me off for him? What is it? Were you hoping for an early bonus, huh?”
“What?! Of course not—”
“Then what’s that rich prick got that I don’t?”
“Chris, please—”
“After everything I’ve done for you, Savannah,” he continues, disappointment and darkness leaking into his voice. I’m frozen under the hatred in his gaze. “Don’t you think I’m owed better than this for all the kindness I’ve shown you? You wouldn’t even know Polly if it wasn’t for me. You’d be alone in this city.”
“I don’t…Chris…what are you doing?” My voice comes out as small as I feel. Fear makes my stomach churn. My chest hurts with how hard my heart is beating against my ribs.
His touch burns like a brand as he grabs my wrist. I yelp, the sound broken with fear.
“Oh come on, Savannah.” His tone switches to false kindness. His mood changes are giving me whiplash. I can’t keep up. His fingers are tight on my wrist. I wince. “I’m a nice guy. I’ll forgive you for all of this. Come back to my place, apologize properly, and we can put this behind us. We can start our dating journey on a much better foot, yeah?”
“No!” I struggle, but he doesn’t let go.
“Savannah, stop being so difficult—”
Suddenly, Chris is ripped away. I topple forward as his grip releases, gasping. It takes me a few seconds to work out what I’m seeing, but when I do, all the air leaves my lungs.
Chris is lying on his back on the sidewalk, scrambling to get back to his feet as Sean gives me a once-over as though checking I’m all in one piece. Noting that I’m not injured, he turns back to Chris, the other man shaking on his feet. Chris isn’t a small guy. In fact, he’s a similar height and weight to Sean by my guess, and with the anger vibrating off them both, I shiver, choosing to focus my gaze on Sean to try to soothe my nerves.
Sean, my kind, protective, hot-as-hell Sean, is furious.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he seethes, fisting Chris’ t-shirt and shaking him. Chris blubbers, waving his hands about.
“It was just a misunderstanding man, that’s all!”
“You had your hands on her.” Sean bares his teeth and shoves Chris away roughly, and he stumbles. “She is not yours to touch. When a woman says no, it fucking means no.”
“It wasn’t like that! Come on, Savannah. Tell him.”
Sean’s hand is around Chris’ throat before I can say anything. He pins him to the side of the building, ignoring the people scurrying around us. Chris’ face is red, his eyes bugging out.
“Keep her name out of your disgusting mouth,” Sean warns.
I think I should be scared, especially when Chris tries to fight again and Sean’s fist hits his face, but I’m not. I’m far less scared now than I was before Sean appeared. With him here, I feel…safe.
Chris doubles over, coughing, and Sean crouches so his next words are whispered into the other man’s ear, just loud enough for me to hear.
“Stay the fuck away from my girl,” Sean snarls, stepping on Chris’ stomach before standing and smoothing his hands down the front of his suit. “Come on, sweetness. Let’s get you home.”