Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Dante’s whole body shakes with silent laughter. That prick thinks this is hilarious. And meanwhile, I just insulted the most attractive woman I’ve seen in a very long time and probably fucked up my chances.
“I’m sorry,” I say, backing off, trying to think of a way to salvage this situation, but I’m not sure how the hell I come back from this. “It’s just, you’re a beautiful girl sitting alone in a dump like this wearing that dress, I just thought—”
“You just thought, what, exactly? My body is here for your amusement? I wore this dress so you’d get to eye-fuck me?”
I make an innocent face. “Yes, actually. But clearly, I messed up.”
My honesty pisses her off. I like the little crease between her eyebrows as she grips her glass and takes a long drink. “Well, I’m not, and what if I were? Did you think I’d fuck you for free? I’m not the kind of girl to give discounts.”
I give her a sharp laugh. Well, shit, at least she has a sense of humor. “I hoped I’d be able to seduce you.”
“That’s pretty presumptuous. Do you get freebies from hookers often?” Her eyes are sparkling now and she’s trying to hold back laughter, but I can tell she’s still a little embarrassed.
“More than you’d think. Usually out of pity.”
I expect her to throw the rest of that wine in my face, but she doesn’t. I also expect her to storm off, but she also doesn’t. Which is strange.
I called this girl a hooker, but she’s still sitting next to me, and she’s even smiling a little at my stupid self-deprecating joke.
That’s interesting.
Dante’s laughter dies down and he orders another drink. “You guys are really hitting it off,” he murmurs.
I make a rude gesture at him without turning my back on Molly.
“Let’s start over. I fucked up and embarrassed both of us, but I was doing so good up until then.”
“You were doing fine,” she says, but some of her anger’s softening. Which means I still have a chance. And I have to admit, I’m much more curious about her now that I know she isn’t a professional. The way she looks begs a lot of questions, but mostly it begs for me to bend her over and fuck her brains out.
“Come on, you were interested,” I say playfully. “I saw the way you were looking at me.”
“I was curious, that’s all.”
“About how handsome I am?”
“Something like that.” I get another little smile, which is gratifying. It lights up her pretty face. I find myself genuinely curious about her. “Mostly I thought you were trouble.”
“We have something in common then, because I’m positive you’re a problem.”
“Says the guy that assumed I was a whore just a second ago.”
“Fair point, but I thought we were starting over.”
“Alright, fine.” She sits up straight. My god, I was to look at that cross nestled between the most beautiful chest in the whole damn world. But her body is not here for my enjoyment. Not yet, anyway. “My name is Molly.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Saul.” We shake hands and I hold on a second too long. The jolt of excitement that runs down my arm and into my chest is bizarre. Her mouth opens and I think she can feel it too. Her hand pulls back like her fingers are on fire.
“If this place is such a dump, why are you two here? Do you live nearby?”
I shake my head. “Can I be brutally honest with you? It’s been a really long week and I came in here to unwind. Also, to stake out my new territory.”
“Territory?” Her eyebrows raise.
Dante cuts in. “What my friend here means is we’re traveling salesmen and we’re working this neighborhood.” He gives me a meaningful look. “Right, Saul?”
“Sure. Salesmen.” I look at her and she knows that’s a whole load of bullshit.
“Alright, that seems totally reasonable,” she says in a way that indicates it’s completely not. “I’m here for the same reason, actually.”
“Oh, yeah? What do you sell? No, don’t tell me, let me guess. You’re the queen of life insurance.”
She snorts and covers her mouth when she laughs. “Life insurance? What the hell?”
“You said you’re a salesman like me and you strike me as the insurance type.”
“No, I meant I’m here to unwind. Stressful week and stuff? What the hell about me says life insurance?”
“You have the eyes of an actuary.”
That gets another snorting laugh. God, it’s fucking adorable. “That’s the worst line I’ve ever heard.”
“It’s the truth. You look like a girl that can calculate a premium on the spot. It’s very attractive.”
“Okay, you’re right, I’m an actuary. And what do you sell?”
“Fine art.”
“No kidding? You sell fine art?”
“Sure. Monets. Picassos. Whatever.”
“Makes total sense. I’m sure there are lots of dockworkers able to afford million-dollar paintings.”