Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 64066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 214(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 214(@300wpm)
Closing up the café for the day, I lock the front door, and when I turn around, I’m taken aback by what I see. Gunner’s standing there with his legs crossed at his ankles, a smoke between his lips, as he watches me with his dark eyes. There’s something there, something I can’t quite put my finger on about him that’s deeply secretive or hidden from the world. Or maybe it’s just hidden from me.
He pushes up from the car, his cigarette drops to the ground, and he steps on it then walks toward me. It takes only a few steps until he reaches me, and when he does, his eyes scan me over in appreciation before he offers me his hand. I look at it unsure of what I should be doing, or why he is here, or how he knew where to find me.
“What are you doing here?”
Gunner’s hand drops back to his side. His hair is pulled back tighter today, so his curls aren’t visible.
“May said you had a function tonight and needed a date. Here I am.”
“May?” I ask shocked, my heart fluttering with the thought of him accompanying me somewhere, and him being so close to me makes the butterflies in my belly take flight. I grab my phone and see multiple messages from her. Shit! I was too busy to check my phone today. I need to get ready, and I’m tight on time.
“An Influencer event she said.” He says it so casually as if this isn’t a big deal. It is. An influencer event is where all big Instagram people gather and businesses and organizations come out in hopes of making connections, so they will advertise them on their page.
I don’t even know this man. Yet, everything about him draws me to him. Everything. Like a Siren he calls to me, lures and seduces me with his charm.
“How…” I quickly read through her messages.
“I asked her for your number, and she mentioned tonight. Here I am. Would you like me to leave?” He turns to look over his shoulder then back to me. A look passes over his face, and he smirks like he already knows what my answer will be.
“I’m… um....” I don’t know what to say. I check my phone again. I only have thirty minutes to race home and change. Looking back at him he’s already dressed in suit pants and a crisp, clean white shirt. “You want to?”
“Yes, Everly. I’d be honored if you let me accompany you to your function.”
“Why?” I ask, because I have to know. He can’t just want to come with me. What reason could he possibly have?
“Do you question everything?” he asks with a slight irritation, but it’s gone when I look back at him.
“Yes. It’s in my nature.”
“Your parents?”
I shake my head. “I never question my parents. They question everything, but I never question their decisions.”
“Okay,” is all he replies.
“I’d like you to come with me, if you’re happy to.”
He opens the door to the car he was leaning on, and I walk over to get in. I tell the driver my address and we’re off. I place my handbag on my lap, unsure of what to say. So I start with, “How was your day?” Small talk, that works. Usually.
“It’s better now,” is his reply.
I turn to face him to see he’s watching me. Those stupid butterflies that were taking flight before are now flapping around hard in my belly. “What is it you do for work?”
His hands are on his lap, and he moves one to lean against the door handle as he turns more to face me. “I’m in real estate.”
“Oh, so is my father.”
“I know.” His voice has a slight inflection, which indicates he doesn’t sound happy with that fact.
“This is me. Do you want to wait or come up?” I go to open the door, and he does the same.
“I’ll come.”
I nod my head and he follows me into my one-bedroom apartment. It’s nothing special, but it is all mine and I’m proud of it. There’s a separate bedroom which is not joined to the living area being down a hallway—it’s large with its open kitchen. He stops at the kitchen and I place my bag down on the counter and turn to face him.
“I’ll be back in a few, I just have to change. There’s drinks in the fridge if you want one.”
Gunner doesn’t look up at me, but I notice his eyes scanning around my apartment. So, I leave him and make my way to my bedroom. My dress is laid out on the bed, ready for me to change into. I quickly undress, sliding off my underwear because this dress shows panty lines and I don’t need that with the number of pictures that will be taken tonight.