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)
"Oh.” Deflated, I just nodded way too many times in one minute.
“Wait, did I just agree to a date?”
“Do you want it to be a date? I mean, I know my answer, but I’m no mind reader, you know? Actually”—he chuckles—“you’d be surprised what you can learn from body language.”
“Try me.” I cross my arms defensively.
He stands and walks around the table and leans so close it’s like he’s almost kissing me.
“Oh, don’t worry, I love a challenge.”
His look makes me nervous as he pays the bill. He holds out his hand. Do I take it? I finally grab it. He squeezes it while we’re walking back on the sidewalk that leads to the company apartments.
“I was thinking…” He starts to move toward me.
“…that you should go on a date with me this week.
I stumble next to him on accident, then pause and try to think of what to say. I mean, it’s not like I should say no. He’s been super sweet and I do want to get to know him, so why does my stomach revolt at the thought?
He’s gorgeous.
Tall.
Masculine.
He seems to genuinely care because what could I possibly offer him?
I hold out my hand.
He initially takes it, before crushing his body against mine in a weirdly intimate hug.
“Just think about it.” He reaches for the phone in my hand and shoves it in front of my face, unlocking it, then adds his number.
“Text me, all right?“
I have no time to even respond before I have my phone back in my hand and he’s walking away, hands shoved in his pockets.
What just happened?
Why was this the weirdest night of my life?
I still can’t explain things.
But now that I’ve had food I realize I was probably having a panic attack, it’s the only thing that makes sense, and my brain had to make up something that would make actual sense being stuck in that elevator, cue in the grumpy boss who could easily be an alpha from folklore since he’s one in the real world.
Feeling better, I get into the building and wave at the doorman.
He presses the button.
“Good evening?”
I don’t really know how to answer, so I just say, “Well, I survived being trapped in an elevator with—“
A hand comes out between the elevator doors, causing them to open again. It’s Eli, and he looks pissed.
"Sir.” The doorman nods.
“Good to see you. Did you know this young lady was stuck in an elevator? Good thing you came to save the day, right? Because that’s’ what you do?”
Eli grunts.
“I had an idea, but I’m sure pizza made it so much better.” He clutches his chest instantly in the most dramatic fashion and collapses to his knees.
The doorman curses.
“I forgot about the moon.”
“I wish I could,” Eli says through clenched teeth.
“Just get me to my room as soon as possible.”
"Sir, right away, sir.” The door man completely ignores me for the next twenty second ride and helps keep Eli at his side as they pass my apartment and make their way toward the penthouse.
The fact that the doorman can even help him get there is strange, not to mention the fact that he clearly knows him better than I assumed. And what is this business about the full moon?
I open the door to my apartment and hear a scream emit from Eli that sounds so painful I want to go back. Instead, I quickly shut my door.
I feel like I’m going crazy.
And not to mention, is very handsy with employees, mainly me, but still that doesn’t matter.
Yet I still stand by my door and I still cringe when I hear more screams coming from his apartment. I try to bring myself to walk to the bedroom or bathroom. Instead, I find myself walking down the hall toward his door, typing in his code, looking heavenward like what the hell is wrong with me. I let myself in and see him on the couch shirtless, sweaty, writhing in pain.
When I walk toward him, he doesn’t even have the strength to lift a hand, his arm falls against the couch, and his body follows tumbling onto the floor.
I realize too late that he’s completely naked.
Just like I realize too late that he’s still awake enough to jolt to his feet, grab me by the back of the neck and inhale.
Chapter 21
Dream Ava
ELI
I'm hallucinating.
She’s here. Her body. Her scent. Her smile.
I sniff along her neck. I’ve never had a fever dream like this before, but it feels so damn good.
"Mmmmm.” My lips part against her pulse.
“You’d taste so good right here, don’t you think? Should I sample you? Should I fully mount you?”
I laugh at my own joke because it’s not like she’s really here. More pain vibrates through my body until it’s hard to keep my eyes open.
"We need to go to the hospital,” Ava says quietly, trying to get me to the door as I sway against her small human body.