Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
I thought that facial hair made him fun and easygoing once. Now, it’s never made me feel more like I’m being hunted.
It takes me back to when I was a teenager, young and impressionable.
Back when I thought he wasn’t a terrible guy.
Back when I would have done anything for him.
Back when I was a ginormous idiot.
Now, the only thing I want to do is run at him full force and throw him through the door.
But my lungs tremble, and I can feel my heart skipping dangerously.
A smirk flits across his face, telling me he can see my confusion and maybe my fear too.
I’ve never hated another person like I hate him.
But he just stands there, watching it pass over my face without caring in the slightest. Why hasn’t he come closer yet? At least then I could kick him in the balls.
It’s a real shame physical violence is frowned on in service jobs.
He folds his arms and leans against the wall like he owns the place.
He’s shameless arrogance stuffed in a suit.
I won’t be falling for it again.
“Harry,” I bite off, mustering the courage to finally turn and face him.
“Small world, LeeLee.” His smirk looks carnivorous. “Nice seeing each other, huh?”
No. If I never saw you again before I died, it would be too soon.
It’s only respect for Dr. Ezzie that keeps me from saying it.
And knowing I have bills waiting. Plus, I love my job. Even more than I hate him.
In a way, it’s nice knowing he isn’t the biggest force in my life right now. Even if it feels like it in the moment, standing face-to-face with a monster.
When I don’t say anything else, the smile slowly melts off his face. That mustache tilts down like a pitchfork with his frown.
Then he pushes off the wall in one quick movement.
“Cat must’ve ripped that little tongue right out. Pity, there’s so much to catch up on,” he mutters. “Be like that, baby doll. We won’t have to meet again if your boss is as smart as she looks.”
Without another word, he brushes past me and slams both hands on the back door, throwing it open.
I hold my breath, shaking like a little girl with a mountain lion stalking past.
Then I collapse against the wall in a heap, the box of gauze I was holding clattering to the floor.
What the hell is going on?
Why was he talking to Dr. Ezzie?
IV
Barking Up The Wrong Tree
(Brady)
So much for an easy catch.
Maybe I should’ve thought this through. I shouldn’t have put her on the spot in her workplace like that, then and there. That was my bad.
But I’m not giving up.
I scroll through Lena Joly’s social media accounts, flicking between Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. None have much activity.
Damn. All I need to know is how to make a pitch that will seal this deal. I need a hint of her interests, her dreams, her situation.
What am I missing?
Some old LinkedIn posts liking professional articles about breakthroughs in veterinary medicine. Her Facebook and Instagram are private, but she’s left some old posts up for a dog rescue place.
When I search Pawsome Hearts, she also appears in a few staff photos.
And that’s it.
Barely any followers. No pressure to post. No expectations from hungry followers waiting for you to boast about amazing deeds and show off lovable animals.
Jealousy knifes me hard.
What the hell is that like? A normal life? The only time people will accept a lack of presence from me is if I physically can’t post.
Those times are getting rarer now, especially with Dad’s health. I damn sure don’t have much time to take off work.
Would my life be easier if I didn’t have to look so perfect? If I didn’t need to reinvent the playboy idiot who blew himself up too many times when he was young and stupid?
Still, seeing a few scraps about Lena’s life leaves me more convinced that she could be my answer, a way to stall my parents’ ridiculous demands.
A way to meet them on my terms, or at least to give them the illusion.
She’s the kind of fresh, normal girl I need.
Passionate about dogs, bare-bones online presence, and damnably cute.
There’s no hiding her soft curves completely under her scrubs. My eyes feasted, everything from her chestnut hair on down through ample tits and a peach of an ass I’d kill to bite.
The menacing looks she gave me promising instant decapitation take nothing away from her appearance.
I just have to persuade her to make the craziest deal of her life—agree to date me long enough to take the pressure off.
Agree to fake date me for pure optics.
Agree to lie to my folks and the Seattle press so I won’t have to waste time with empty succubae like Nancy.
But what’s in it for her?
As I sip my coffee, I consider my plan.