Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“Didn’t say I took the bribe.”
“But you still have this car.”
“Yep,” I agree with a smile, backing out of my parking space.
“He didn’t get mad that you kept his car and didn’t accept his bribe?”
“Nah, he knew before he tried to bribe me that I wouldn’t leave my job.”
“Then why did he try?” she asks, sounding adorably confused.
Shrugging, I smile. “Why does anyone do anything?”
“Good point.”
“Where do you work?” I question, stopping at the intersection that will lead us out of the apartment complex.
“I…” She pauses, and I look over at her and find her worrying her bottom lip. “Do you know Dolly’s on West 21st ?” she asks quietly, and my head twitches. Dolly’s is a strip club, one of the bigger ones in town.
Beating back the sudden annoyance, jealousy, and possessiveness zapping through every cell in my body, I jerk up my chin. “Yeah, I know it.”
“I…. That’s where I work.”
Well that answered the question of how she knows Shelly, since Shelly works at that club and a few others around town.
My eyes drop to her round stomach. “You’re pregnant,” I point out the obvious, not that she’s not beautiful, and not that some men don’t get off on pregnant women. But I can’t imagine her working at a club like that.
“I help with the books, and on the weekends, I do the girls’ makeup and hair if it’s slow. Johnny… Johnny, my boss, has been sweet about helping me out, especially when so many other people have turned me down,” she murmurs.
Noticing her chin wobbling, my teeth grind together. “Please don’t cry.”
“I won’t.” She shakes her head. “I don’t cry. I never cry.” The tone of her voice puts me on edge, but when she turns her head and I see the broken look in her eyes, something in me snaps, and I vow in that moment to do everything in my power to protect her. Always.
I reach over and take her hand, and her body jolts from the contact.
“I’m okay.” She tries to pull her hand free, but I don’t let her go. Instead, I thread my fingers through hers.
“My statement was insensitive.”
“It’s okay,” she whispers, staring at our hands.
“It’s not, but it’s sweet that you’re telling me it is.” I squeeze her fingers and she looks up at me. “Let me make it up to you. Have dinner with me tonight.”
Her fingers convulse around mine and her eyes grow in surprise. But then they dull a moment later before she looks away and out the window. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t have anything to wear to dinner.” She pulls at the front of her baggie shirt before letting it fall back in place. I want to tell her it doesn’t matter what she wears, but I know women. I know it will matter to her.
“I’ll cook. We can have dinner at my place.”
“You… you’ll cook for me?” She looks me over.
“Okay, so I won’t cook. I’ll order in.” I smile, and she laughs.
Her eyes drop to my mouth and her bottom lip goes between her teeth before she whispers, “Okay.”
“Okay?” I ask just to confirm.
“Yes, okay.”
Hearing that, I grin. “Cool.” I don’t let her hand go as I drive her across town, and surprisingly she doesn’t try to pull away. When I reach the parking lot for Dolly’s, I drive her around the back to the employee entrance.
“Thank you for the ride.” She lets my hand go to take off her seatbelt.
“Do you want me to pick you up?”
“No, I’ll just get a cab.” She smiles, opening her door, and I wrap my fingers around her wrist to stop her before she can hop out. She turns to look at me.
“I’m not letting you take a cab when I can drive you. What time do you get off?”
“I’ll be okay.”
“Sweetheart, what time do you get off?” My tone leaves no room for argument.
She stares at me for a few seconds before letting out a huff that causes that ever-present piece of hair in her face to float up and drop back down.
“Normally, I get off at 5:00 p.m., but some days I get done at 4:30.”
“I’ll be here at 4:30 then.” I let her go.
She slides out but stops to look at me before shutting the door. “Thanks for the ride.”
I lift my chin and she smiles, shutting the door. I watch her until she’s inside then take off out of the parking lot, heading to the gym before work.
Chapter 2
JUSTIN
MOVING FROM THE kitchen to the living room, I stop in my tracks, looking at Aubrey asleep on my couch with her head on the armrest, her feet tucked up near her ass, and her hand resting over her belly. Letting out a breath, I move to the couch and stand over her, watching her sleep.
When I picked her up from work, she looked tired but happy to see me. I knew she had to be exhausted, so when I got her to my place, I showed her around then told her to rest while I put in our order for Chinese food and returned a couple phone calls. Apparently, I took longer than I thought. I pull the blanket off the back of the couch and lay it over her then turn on the TV and lower the volume.