Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
I narrow my eyes at her. “Jealousy doesn’t become you, Starla.”
“I’m not… jealous,” she says haltingly through gritted teeth, as if she’s only now contemplating how jealous she really is.
She doesn’t meet my eyes.
Keeping hold of one of her wrists in my right hand, I fish the phone out and check the notifications. Jesus. I didn’t get these texts when service was down, and now they’re all delivered in rapid succession. All from Sergio.
Eden needs me. Storm’s coming. I’m leaving.
And one that followed a few minutes later.
You still here? I sent everyone home. Storm’s starting for real this time, I don’t want anyone traveling in this. Club closed until further notice.
And another.
Check in when you get this. I trust you.
He trusts me.
To keep Bella Notte safe.
But more importantly… to keep Starla safe.
We’re alone.
Indefinitely.
“Anything important?” Starla asks, obviously annoyed still. She’s pulled her wrist free and her arms are crossed on her chest as if to protect herself, her eyes rolling heavenward.
“Got cell service for now, texts catching up,” I say, tapping the weather app on.
Jesus. Thirty-six inches expected in the next twenty-four hours. We’re getting slammed.
“Ah. Can’t report to big brother anymore?”
I slide my phone in my pocket and turn to her.
Sergio’s gone.
I know exactly the locations the cameras in this room record.
I know exactly where they don’t.
Starla’s shit at hiding her emotions and today is no exception. I watch as she swallows and licks her lips.
“You’re mad because I didn’t let you kiss me.”
“Nah,” she lies, her voice husky and low. “I didn’t really want to kiss you anyway.”
I snag her wrist again and pull her so she’s closer to me.
“Is that right?”
She licks her lips. “Well, yeah, obviously. I just want to know who those messages were from.”
I war with what I want and what I know is right. I know I have to stay the course, I know I have to keep her safe.
“And,” she says, her lips pursed, her free hand coming to rest on my chest. “We should probably have some ground rules, then, if you and I are stuck in a sex club for God knows how long and we’re not even going to kiss, much less do anything… else.” Her momentary bravado slips, and for one flash of a second, I’m looking at the girl we found so many years ago.
“Starla—”
The hand on my chest lifts and she interrupts, palm facing me. “No. Uh uh. No way, Timeo.” Her voice cracks, and my heart cracks right along with it. If only I could tell her the truth, but I can’t. Not now. “One minute you’re suggesting I take my clothes off and the next, you’re acting like I’m a— a child who has a crush on an older boy who doesn’t even know she exists.” She yanks out of my grip and takes a step back.
I let her go.
“And there… may have been a time when that was true.”
Never. Not once. I always knew exactly who she was.
When she blinks, a tear rolls down her cheek.
Fuck, I’m an asshole.
“Starla—” I take a step toward her and this time, she backs away.
“No. I have fucking had it, Timeo. I spent my whole life being manipulated, used, and hurt, and I won’t allow it to happen again.” Her eyes flick to the large windows in the studio then back to me, firm in her position.
“Is it really Sergio and Eden who you’re afraid of? You're an adult, but guess what, so am I."
I wish Sergio was the only one I was afraid of. Afraid isn't even the right word. I know what it's going to mean to protect Starla, and I know the steps I must take. I also know that telling her any of this would jeopardize her safety.
But sometimes, it's easier to let someone believe what they think is true.
“I’m not afraid of Sergio.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. And honestly, baby, I don’t think I’m the one that’s afraid.” I take another step toward her, and this time her back hits the barre in front of the mirror, proving my point. I cage her in, my hands gripping the barre on either side of her, pressing my body to hers.
I’ve tried pretending I didn’t know her.
I’ve tried rejecting her, even as it damn near killed me.
I’ve got one other move to play. If she trusts me… if she knows that I’ll keep her safe… it might work.
But first, I need to know.
"Tell me the truth, Starla. I want to hear it. I want you to tell me that you're scared. I want you to tell me that you want this.” I lick my lips. “Because you know if we cross this bridge, there's no coming back."
"Coming back to what?" she snaps. "Wondering if you ever cared about me? Wondering who you're sleeping with? Wondering where you go at night when I don't see you? Wondering whose perfume’s on your skin? Back to what, Timeo?” She chokes. “Giving you my heart so you can break it all over again?”