Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 100060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
He notices.
His chest rises and falls with a curse.
But I don’t expect him to look pained over my embarrassing, telltale move.
Briefly, he closes his eyes. When they open, his gaze travels up the side of my neck, over the crown of my head, as if he’s taking my measurements. “The uptight one asked you a question, Elise.” His tone once again cajoling. “What business do you have on Roosevelt Island?”
Reality comes back to me in degrees.
Obviously I can’t tell him—them—the truth.
Not with Gabe sitting directly behind Tobias. A quick peek at his reflection in the window tells me the construction worker is listening closely, too. I’m not a good liar. I’m much more likely to tell an uncomfortable truth and damn the consequences, but in this case, I’m better off telling an itty bitty white lie. The last thing I need is Gabe tipping off his boss that someone from the Gotham Times has connected him to the deputy mayor.
The sandwich girl, but hey. Semantics.
And maybe there is a tiny part of me that is embarrassed to tell them I sling ham on whole wheat all day. Maybe there is even a little annoying part of me that wants to impress them, especially since I haven’t impressed anyone lately. Especially myself.
“I’m a reporter,” I say, just as Banks hangs up his call, his attention immediately zipping back to me. Staying there. All three of them are hanging on my every word. Why? No way am I physically disturbing all three of them the way they are disturbing me. “I was on the island to get some details about the housing project.”
“This late on a Thursday?” Tobias asks, arching a dark brow. “Very dedicated.”
“Yes. I am.”
Gabe’s boots scuff the floor as he stands. “I can help you with that. If you want. I’ve been working on it since the beginning and I know every corner of it.”
“I’d like that,” I say, guilt making my throat dry. Best to see the deception through before I lose my nerve. “Maybe we can meet over coffee. Are you doing anything Saturday night?”
Those words cause a silent commotion in the tram car.
I’m pinned by three different sets of eyes, that jealous energy I thought I imagined earlier now coming from both Tobias and Banks. It creates a disturbance in the air.
Too bad.
I’m not getting a boyfriend out of this wacky turn of events. I’m getting a point of contact for the exposé I’m writing. The one that is going to land me a staff writer position. I decided to pursue a career in journalism and I have to see my journey through this time. I’ve done too many things halfway and not only have my parents lost faith in me…
I’ve completely lost faith in myself.
I need it back. I don’t know who I am without my confidence.
“Saturday night? Oh yeah. I’ve got this fancy party. For work.” Gabe looks like he’s waiting for the punch line. “Wait…you’re not asking me out, are you?”
I’m smiling, but it wavers. He’s a nice guy and he’s been through a lot. Why couldn’t it be Tobias or Banks that had a potential inside track on Jameson Crouch?
I realize I wouldn’t like that either and feel a flash of impatience with myself.
Something is very wrong with me.
“Yes, Elise,” Tobias clips, smiling once again in that way that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Are you asking out the one with the erection?”
Over Tobias’s shoulder, Banks tilts his head, expression questioning.
“Maybe I am.” I wet my lips. “And that’s between me and Gabe.”
“Is that to say there’s nothing between us?” Tobias asks. And then with a wink and a nod in Banks’s direction, he adds, “Or you and him? Let’s not pretend something isn’t happening here. All of us feel it.”
If I thought the air was charged before, nothing compares to the way it crackles with electricity now. With those words, the odd attraction between me and these three men has been acknowledged. I haven’t been hiding it, as I assumed I was. Maybe I was too surprised by my reaction to them to play it cool. I don’t know. But they’re all coming closer to me now, at the same time. They are circling me. Tobias in front, Gabe behind, Banks to my left.
Our breaths are white in the air and the puffs of condensation come quicker, quicker.
I’m getting blasted with heat now from all sides. My pulse is haywire.
They’re all taller than me, even in my heels, and I’m shocked to find I’m turned on by being the shortest. By being the object of their attraction. All three of them? How?
“Is Gabe your choice then, love?” Tobias asks, tipping up my chin. Studying my face.
“If you want him to stop touching you, say the word, Elise,” Banks says. “If you want any of this to stop, I’ll make it happen.”