Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 59913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
It started to rain around seven thirty when it was already dark outside and I decided to call it a night.
I’d sent Stanley home earlier because he had a sick kid at home and I didn’t know how long I was going to be here.
I left my office, keys in hand thinking of what I should have for dinner and almost walked into her. “What are you doing here so late?”
“I had some things to take care of.” She opened her umbrella and walked through the exit. The rain was just a slight drizzle but I didn’t want her walking through it.
And I for damn sure didn’t want her turning up in that neighborhood of hers alone this time of night. “I’ll give you a ride home, it’s late.”
“No thanks, I’ll take the bus.”
“Hey Gia, you need a lift?” Gavin came through the doors behind us. When she readily accepted his offer I saw red.
I watched him seat her in his car and almost lost it at the sight of his hand on her back as he helped her in.
As soon as he closed the door and walked around to the other side I moved forward and pulled the door open.
“Get out of the car.”
“Dude, calm down.” He glared at me over the roof of the car.
“Stay out of this. I told you to get out.” I looked down at her bent head.
“I’m not leaving her here alone with you in this mood.”
“What’s it to you?” I pulled her out of the car and dragged her over to mine, which was parked one spot over.
After seating her roughly and warning her of what would happen if she moved, I walked around to the other side and got in.
I turned the car on swiftly and peeled out of the parking lot leaving my brother in my rearview.
“Don’t do that shit again. Don’t get in another man’s car in front of me after rejecting me. Next time I won’t spare you.”
“When will you get it into your head that what I do or don’t do has nothing to do with you?”
“And when will you get it into yours that it absolutely does?”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
She did that huffing shit and I chose to ignore her as I wended my way through the streets in the opposite direction from her home.
“Where are you taking me?”
“I want to spend more time with you. You’ve been busy all week and ignoring me.”
“I was working, for you I might add.”
“Doesn’t matter. I hate being around you that long and not being able to touch you.” Shit makes me nuts.
“I need to get home, I have a child to look after remember?”
“She’s with the sitter, she’s fine.”
“All the same I want to go home.”
“No!”
“Why are you so unreasonable?” I chose not to answer because her words made no sense.
I drove down to the waterfront; I was suddenly starving. Sparring with her usually whets all my appetites; my dick was as hard a spike.
I pulled into the parking lot of one of the city’s best seafood restaurants on the pier. “What are we doing here? I’m not hungry.”
“You didn’t eat lunch, let’s go.”
“How do you know…?”
“It doesn’t matter.” I helped her out of the car and took her hand, leading her into the restaurant.
We found a nice secluded corner near the back that overlooked the water as she looked around. No doubt due to her profession she picks apart every building she enters.
The waiter came over and offered us menus and glasses of water before walking away again. “What are you in the mood for, what do you feel like having?” I perused my own menu while she left hers sitting on the table untouched.
“Very well, why don’t I order for you.” I did just that, ordering us both the same seafood pasta but I forewent the wine and any other beverage choosing instead to drink sparkling water.
The rain was now a steady drizzle and I wouldn’t take the risk of imbibing while I knew I had to drive her home.
She picked at the food when it came because I threatened to force feed her if she didn’t eat. I watched to make sure she ate enough.
I kept the conversation light, only bringing up the project and her child, the two things she cared most about.
“Have you decided what to do about Amber while we’re gone?”
“Ms. Pierce has agreed to stay over.” Every damn word was like pulling teeth.
“I’m guessing you won’t accept my offer for them to stay at my place.”
“No, please don’t insist, it’s not necessary.”
“Very well, as long as you’re comfortable with the arrangements I’m fine. Do you want coffee? Dessert?”
“No, I’m full, thank you.” I reached across the table for her hand and held on tight when she tried to pull it away.
“You look tired still, I don’t like seeing those dark circles under your eyes.” I ran my thumb beneath her eye gently, felt the warmth of her cheek beneath my palm.