Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
I wanted to show her the world—to give her everything she had never seen. I wanted her to be a part of my world.
“That would be amazing.”
I pulled her close, my mouth hovering over hers, wanting to say the words again. Needing to hear them.
“I love you,” I murmured against her softness.
“Oh, Adam,” she breathed. “So much. I love you so much.”
“We’ll figure out our life together.”
“I know.” She sighed. “But, for now, I have to go.”
I hated that we had to return to reality, but I knew she was right.
“I’ll drive you to work and pick you up in the morning.”
“I have to go back to my place.”
“I know.”
“I start my days off again after tonight.”
“Will you spend them here, with me? I want more time with you.” My need for her was overwhelming. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt it and I refused to deny it.
“I’d like that.”
I nuzzled her head. “So would I.”
CHAPTER
TEN
Having slept on and off most of the day, I was restless all night. I worked on some photos and sketched out some ideas for changing the layout of the loft, giving the sleeping area some privacy with added walls. I wanted Ally to feel at home here. Then to pass the time, I worked on my expense report and sent it off to Sean. Barely five minutes passed when he replied.
What the hell are you doing sending me an expense report at 4 in the morning? Don’t you have pictures to take somewhere?
I grinned as I replied.
My boss is slacking, not sending me anywhere. Stuck with paperwork, instead. Why are you up so early?
I read his reply and laughed.
Some idiot sent me a message and woke me up.
I knew he was lying since he was in the office before five daily.
I’ll make it up with coffee this week.
Lunch, and it’s a deal.
Done.
I signed off and went for a shower so I could be ready to drive Ally to her place.
We were quiet when I picked her up and drove in the opposite direction of my loft. I pulled up in front of the small building where she lived, leaving the engine idling, at a loss for what to do next. She surprised me when she hesitantly asked if I would come upstairs with her. I shut off the car and went to her door, offering her my hand.
Inside, she punched in a code to open the security door. Then she quoted the code for me. “If you come over, you don’t have to wait to be buzzed up. And there are visitor spots around back.”
I followed her to the elevator and wrapped my arm around her waist as we rode up.
Inside, I looked around curiously. It was small, neat, and tidy. Everything was precise and in order. It didn’t feel like her. It felt empty. Like a stage.
She shrugged, knowing what I was thinking. “It’s not my place. It belongs to Ronald. I live here, but only until I don’t have to anymore. I’ll be finished paying off my debt to him soon, and I’ll find a place I like to live.”
I withheld the urge to tell her again that I would pay him whatever monetary debt there was so she could be free of him right now. I knew she wouldn’t accept it, and this was something she insisted on doing herself.
Wandering over to her desk, I picked up a frame and studied the picture. Ally as a child, looking happy, held by a man with red hair and a friendly face.
“My dad,” she murmured sadly.
I picked up another picture, a teenage boy with his arm around her, laughing.
“Ollie?”
“Yes. That was about a week before he died. Elena took it while we were visiting her.”
There were only two other photos. One was Ally and Ollie with Elena. She was an older woman—tall, regal-looking, with brilliant white hair, sparkling green eyes, and she had her arms wrapped around them.
The other photo was set off to the side, and I glanced at it, recognizing her mother and Ronald. It was obviously a staged photo, looking very proper, their expressions lacking in any real emotion.
I shook my head as I turned away from the desk. They were missing so much of life. Missing out on knowing a wonderful woman who, despite everything, still wanted to be loved by them.
Ally was watching me closely.
“Do you want to give me some things I can take home with me for this weekend?”
“That’s a good idea. I can take a cab to your place after the event.” She grinned. “You don’t have to wait up—I have a key.”
I chuckled. As if I wouldn’t wait up for her. “Go get what you need. I’ll wait.”
She chatted as she got her things together, reappearing quickly.
I decided not to tell her I would be there tonight. She would worry about it all day. I glanced upward, listening to the renovation noise overhead. I wasn’t sure she’d get any sleep as it was, and I didn’t want to add to the problem.