Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 48567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“I have a concussion?” I wail, touching my head. There’s a bandage there and, in my other hand, an ice pack.
“I don’t even remember falling!”
“Oh?” He frowns ahead at the road.
“That’s so weird, you were going over his final schedule for tomorrow, he was reading it, he said you were staring out the window and your hair tie fell out, he helped you, do you remember that much?”
The memories are like shadows. I remember the paper clips, handing him the portfolio, the pretty moon, tripping into his arms and wanting him to kiss me, but everything after that is fuzzy.
I rub my temples and look down. My shirt’s tucked in, my hair’s back in the same ponytail. I have a weird vision of Eli’s eyes flaming blue, of being kissed senseless, of being threatened, of being so turned on that I almost panted after him.
“Hey, you good? A lot of people have weird shadows and dreams when they have concussions, hope now that you’re okay, yours was a trip. I left the portfolio in your bag in case you wanted to drop it off at his apartment. The doorman can let you in, just let him know Gabe sent you. He’ll be at his other home anyway.”
I nod slowly, still trying to process.
“Do I need someone to constantly wake me up in case I fall asleep?”
He smiles to himself, his grin adorable.
“We have constant wake-up calls for you every few hours and if you don’t answer, one of my assistants has the key to the door to wake you up and has been told to stay with you if need be. She’ll be in the room next door, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”
“Wow.” I squeeze my eyes shut.
“It’s like you’ve covered everything.”
“We always do.” He clears his throat, his tone serious as his hands flex and unflex against the leather of the wheel.
“Anyway…” He pulls the car to the curb of the large skyscraper.
“Take the day off, rest, make sure you eat, and don’t forget to drop off the portfolio, it’s important he has information. He has to stop by in the morning anyway to grab his car since he most likely had his driver take him home, he was pretty shaken up.”
“The driver?” I guess.
Gabe laughs.
“Wow, that’s adorable. No, about you.”
My heart warms in my chest.
“But he’s grumpy all the time, he hates me.”
“He technically just hates everyone that isn’t as fast as he is, but he’s a good person. Believe me. I know.” He unlocks the doors.
“Stay safe and don’t forget your purse.”
I nod.
“Okay portfolio, right, tell the doorman to let me in.”
“Actually…” Gabe searches his jacket, then grabs his phone.
“…I may still have his entry for his apartment on my phone.” He frowns, scrolls for a solid minute.
“Agh, got it from the Christmas party. He was so pissed I made him dress as Santa.”
I laugh. I can’t help it.
“Did he actually do it?”
“Hell ya he did. I spiked his eggnog.”
I laugh harder.
“I can’t imagine an out of control Eli.”
Gabe smirks down at his phone.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll see it soon, it’s quite… invigorating.”
Okay, strange word, but I smile anyway.
“Thanks for the save and I’ll be sure to stop tripping on the stupid area rug in his office.”
“Maybe flats next time, some assistants even buy tennis shoes.” His smile is adorable.
“No judgement, it makes it easier to run.”
I touch my head as a pulsing sensation begins at the base of my neck and snakes around my face.
I’m hot. I’m cold.
And then I see the blue of Eli’s eyes. Run? Did he say Run? Hunt?
“Everything okay?” Gabe asks.
“I can take you back to the hospital if you aren’t feeling well. You didn’t throw up, so that’s a good sign and your pupils are normal.”
“Yeah,” I say after a few seconds.
“I think I’m fine, I think? I’m just thinking about one of the dreams I had.”
“I used to have dreams about chickens.” Gabe nods slowly.
“And now when I see them—the live ones—I literally want to power walk in the other direction. It’s just weird that you can cut their heads off and they still run around, it’s not natural.”
“I’m sure there are a lot of things in this world that aren’t natural, just my opinion.” I joke.
Maybe it falls flat, because he suddenly looks so serious and tense I want to jump out of the car, kind of out of character from what I’ve seen so far.
“Yeah, well… life is full of the misunderstood, you know?”
“Including chickens?”
“Always and I do mean always including chickens.” He nods up to the apartment.
“Get some sleep, oh and I’ll text you the code, okay?”
I nod.
“Thanks again.”
“Don’t mention it.” He flashes a smile as I get out of the car and walk into the building, the doorman in his black and white uniform with his red tie opens the door and lets me through the marble-floored lobby to the elevator.