Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 100716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
A grateful smile tugs at my lips when the stranger offers a way out of my predicament. “I have a car. I can take you wherever you need to go.”
“Oh. Um. Th-thank you.” I briefly consider his offer before declining it. “But I’m okay. There will be another bus s-soon.”
Disregarding Ark’s muttered comment about taking no for an answer, the stranger steps closer. “Are you sure? You seem like you have somewhere important to be.”
“Stop acting desperate, Rafael. It isn’t like she’s worthy of your time.”
Rafael silences Bimbo 2 with a dismissive gesture, his hand shoved in her face, but his eyes never leave mine. It is as if the wolf has found its prey, and he isn’t leaving until he’s fully devoured it.
The thought should scare me, but it doesn’t.
My reaction has nothing to do with Rafael. It stems from Ark’s narrowed glare when he notices the predatory gleam firing in his companion’s eyes. Rafael’s demeanor is pompous, whereas Ark looks like someone whose favorite meal was replaced with a bland soup seconds after being seated at a five-star restaurant.
My eyes shift from Ark to Rafael when Rafael rubs his hands together. “Then perhaps we can have a nightcap once I’ve gotten you safely to your destination.” He licks his lips before cracking them into a broad grin. “We can do that at your place or mine. I’ll be satisfied either way.”
Rafael’s smile widens when Ark moves so quickly that the threads of my skirt, torn from my fall, flap in the briskness of his strides.
“I’ll take her.” Ark’s tone is affirmative, leaving no room for arguing.
Rafael winks at me as if I am a part of his ploy, then turns to face the man who has fallen for his ruse hook, line, and sinker. “Are you sure? I thought you wanted an early night.” I can’t see Ark’s face since he’s standing in front of me, but I imagine his snarl when Rafael steps back with his hands raised in surrender. “All right. Keep your panties untwisted. I was just checking.”
He spins to face the blondes, who are disappointed to have lost Ark’s attention. Their fake lips are lowered into childish pouts, and the scalding looks they’re directing at me take care of the cool winds whipping between high-rise buildings.
Rafael acts oblivious to their dismay. “Ladies, shall we continue since Ark is now occupied?”
He doesn’t wait for them to reply. After wrapping an arm around each of the women’s slim waists, he guides them down the street, leaving me alone with Ark.
Once they’re half a block away, Ark turns his focus to me. He stares for what feels like minutes but is barely seconds before he says, “Come. My car is in the underground lot.”
His authoritative edge makes it clear he is used to giving orders and having them followed without question. I don’t have time to consider the consequences of my actions if I don’t comply, because he places his hand on the small of my back and steers me through the main entrance of the Chrysler building before I can utter a word.
The doorman greets us without acknowledging our working relationship. “Sir…” He tilts his top hat to hide his smile when his eyes fling to me. “Ma’am.”
His professionalism is so seamless that Ark appears unaware of our association.
“Mateo,” Ark replies, his pace unbroken even as he adds more to his greeting. “Ensure he has lost them before he returns.” He nudges his head to Rafael and the two blondes as he says “them.”
His order for the doorman to ensure Rafael gets rid of his “dates” is without a hint of hesitation, and Mateo’s response is equally as casual. “Very well, sir.”
I’d be relieved he has no plans to entertain guests tonight if I weren’t so shocked.
I’m the help—society’s belief of the lower class. I shouldn’t be prioritized above anyone, let alone two women who can afford the designer clothes I tried to replicate with an old sewing machine and a year of online fashion undergrad studies.
“I can find another mo-mode of transport. You don’t need to go out of your way for m-me.”
Ark’s fingers flex before he says, “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
“But y-your guests—”
My heart does a weird flip when he interrupts. “Were in the process of being shown out when they rudely knocked you over.” His eyes float over my face, categorizing every pore, before he adds, “Let me do this. It is the least I can do after my earlier vulgarity.”
I’m about to say I was the only one who was rude, but the elevator attendant’s fumble for the call button has me on the back foot. The staff are pulling out all the stops for Ark, and it has me even more panicked about how I will keep my position after having my anger witnessed by coworkers.