Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Welp, here goes.
The other servers, including Maybell, were busy cleaning the tables and putting the chairs up for the janitorial crew.
“Blazing a new fashion trail?” I arched a brow and returned to counting out tips, acting nonchalant. If my gift was burying my emotions, now was the time to use it to my advantage.
“Jeans and T-shirt are hardly new.”
“I meant for you, Mr. Stark.” I didn’t know why I called him by his last name. Maybe it was simply what we did in the South when we wanted to show respect. That, or to keep people at arm’s length. Last names lacked a certain familiarity.
“Please, call me Montgomery.”
I kept counting money, acting like his presence didn’t bother me.
“You’re nervous and trying to hide it. Why?” he asked.
Dangit. Breathe, breathe, breathe. “What gives you that impression?”
“I can hear your heart beating. It’s on fire,” he said in a low voice.
I had to respond quickly. “Thought you said you were a gentleman.”
“I am.”
“Then why are you fishin’ for a compliment?” I sassed, looking into those chilling pale eyes. “I’m sure you’re aware of your good looks.”
Would he buy my lie? Because while he was an attractive man, he was still a monster.
He smiled, two deep divots forming in his cheeks.
Vile bastard had dimples. It felt like God was playing a joke. Dimples were for giggling babies and cute boys with good hearts. On him they were more like a weapon meant to deceive.
“I have learned of your recent good fortune,” he explained, “and I surmised you will be here late most nights.”
How did he know about me taking over the Rooster? The only explanation was that he hadn’t been lying when he’d said he had eyes all over town. “Yes.”
“Then I will be here, too,” he said, “looking after my proper…”
I narrowed my eyes. “You were just about to call me your property. Werncha?”
“You caught me.”
I leaned into the bar, closer to him. “I ain’t your property, Stark,” I sassed again. “And neither is this bar. Now get on your way. I’m busy.”
His pale eyes flickered with curiosity.
Had my con worked? I wanted him to believe he didn’t terrify me and that my racing heart was in response to his handsome face. The way I saw it, my chances of him letting his guard down were far greater if he thought I secretly wanted him. A little game of hard-to-get was in order.
My heart continued pounding away, knowing a vicious killing machine was standing two feet away. A vampire. A real-life fucking vampire.
Lord, I needed to stop swearing. What would Mamma say?
She’d say, “Who gives a flying weasel about your language, Masie. You need to fight this predator. You need to stay focused.” Which meant I had to try harder to sell my story.
I quickly shifted my gaze to the bulge in his jeans.
He laughed. “You are a dirty little thing, aren’t you?”
My gaze bolted up to meet his eyes. “You need to go now.” I feigned embarrassment.
Smiling, he dipped his head. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. And the night after that and after that until—”
“I already told you, leave,” I barked. “But let me add: don’t come back.”
I could hear Maybell gasp.
Stark’s eyes narrowed, and his lips went flat. I could see the anger behind his pale eyes.
I had gone too far, but I couldn’t backpedal. Not now. I was selling a story, and he needed to bite. Not literally, I hoped.
I cleared my throat, deciding to double down. “Look, I see that you’re used to getting your way, Stark. It’s clear as, well, night, in your case. But I am not for sale. I am not a mountain to be conquered, and I don’t give a devil’s left nut how good-looking you are. You can’t have me.” I whispered, “So if you ain’t good with that, kill me now. Because my feelings are what they are.” I folded my arms over my chest.
“You are…serious?”
Clearly, he didn’t believe me. I twisted my neck to one side, exposing my flesh. “Do it. Go ahead. I ain’t scared of nothing except being owned by a man who thinks he’s some sorta god—doing what he likes, when he likes. I’d rather die.”
He stared as if he’d been punched in his soul.
After a long moment, I lowered my head while he sat there looking dumbfounded. “You…are…just like her.”
“Who?” I hoped he meant his worst nightmare.
“My Anna.” His Adam’s apple bobbed on his strong neck. “She said those exact words when we first met.” He took a step back, a haunted look in his eyes.
No, no, no. I’d just given him proof that I was his reincarnated love? I only wanted to toy with him and learn what I was up against.
On the other hand, having him believe I was Anna two-point-oh might get me to the goal line faster.