Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
As a child I learned I had a knack for taking what wasn’t mine, as a teenager and even in my early adult years it became an impulse. I’d never been caught and I close my eyes and try to push away the thrill. That was the old me. Part of my past and what haunts me now.
I take the lipstick and round the corner. When I approach the counter, I place the chocolate bar on the counter followed by the lipstick. The cashier absentmindedly rings up the items as I stare at the lipstick. When was the last time I wore red? Why did I stop?
I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am now, and I refuse to let my demons catch up with me. Once I’m done with this job, I’ll go back to London, because being back on American soil doesn’t feel entirely safe.
These emails might just be harassment. But I can’t help but be paranoid that it’ll become something more. And I’m not willing to risk everything I’ve built being ruined by the same man who ruined me all those years ago.
CHAPTER 19
Alina
It’s nearing the end of the day and I’m absolutely buzzing as I go back and forth among the construction workers. I’m in a small office that’s going to be the last room they touch. I look over the plans, impressed. I can’t wait to see this come to life.
Jerry, one of the workers, pops his head in. “Miss, there’s someone here to see you.”
“Is it the tiler?” I ask, looking at my watch. I wasn’t expecting him until Tuesday.
Jerry shrugs. “I don’t know, he just said he has to see you.”
“Okay, no problem. I’ll be there in one second.” I scan my reflection in my laptop screen and quickly adjust my ponytail. I admire my red lipstick, appreciating the new purchase, and take one last sip of my coffee before I go out onto the shop floor. Chaos is erupting around me as men busily work away.
I come to a stop the moment I see Will standing at the door. He looks out of place in his freshly pressed attire considering all the dust and dirt fluttering about him.
This guy has got to be kidding me. I stalk up to him, and his arrogant smile pops that dimple into life. “You haven’t replied to my text messages.”
I grab him by the elbow and usher him out to the front of the store, where there are fewer workers. The moment we step outside, and the door closes behind us, I snap at him.
“Can you leave me the fuck alone?” are the first words out of my mouth. I could throttle him. And had I not met him before, I’d be in absolute disbelief by his sheer audacity at being here right now.
“Alina,” he drawls arrogantly.
“Wow, it seems like you’ve finally remembered my name with that one brain cell of yours,” I say with a vicious smile. “Now, leave.”
The door opens, and the contractor who I’d been speaking to ten minutes ago, starts to speak but stops when he notices the way Will and I are facing off.
“He was just leaving,” I tell the contractor.
“No, I wasn’t, and we’re not done,” Will argues, and there’s a threatening edge in his tone that catches both me and the contractor off guard.
“It’s not urgent, miss, I can wait inside,” the contractor says in a thick Boston accent and all but runs back inside.
I turn on Will with my finger in his face. “You can’t just show up here. This is my job, and you need to kindly fuck off. Whether these are your friends or not, it doesn’t give you the right to piss me off whenever you please.”
“Alina, I came to apologize.”
I try not to laugh as I place a hand on my hip. He’s deadly serious now. “For what, exactly? Humiliating me? Almost getting me killed? Because I’m pretty sure Anya is capable of it. Stalking me? Pissing me off every chance you get? Interrupting me at work? Shall I continue?”
“It’s a rather impressive list, isn’t it?” Will acknowledges.
I throw my hands up in the air, exasperated. “Can you take anything seriously?”
“I’m taking you seriously,” he says, and it catches us both off guard. He frowns at what he just said. “Come on. I know as much as I piss you off you also enjoy the challenge. I know that despite it, we have fun, don’t we? Please let me make it up to you.”
I shake my head in disbelief. I don’t know why he’s so focused on me, and yes, it’s flattering; yes, I do like the challenge. Yes, we’re sexually charged around one another, but I can’t make out what this connection is exactly. I know there’s depth to Will despite him hiding behind his humor and wit. I know this well because he’s not the only one who hides behind a mask and keeps everyone at an arm’s length. And it’s that intrigue making me want to discover more about him, to unravel him as much as he’s probably trying to figure out me, that’s the problem. What if I’m wrong? What if there is no depth and I’m wasting my time?