Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“I’m Michael.” He stepped closer, and I looked up, ready to tell him I was busy, but the words instantly locked in my throat.
Michael Sullivan.
The mayor’s right hand man.
His sexy as hell right hand man.
“It’s nice to meet you.” He smiled and extended his hand. “Do you have a name?”
“Yeah, um…” I shook it. “It’s Elizabeth. Elizabeth Tanner.”
“Well, Elizabeth Tanner, I’ve been trying to get your attention every day this week by asking for directions. Since this is the first time you’ve looked up at me, so I need to take advantage of the moment.” He smiled. “Can I please take you out to dinner?”
“Uh…” I set down my papers. “Like in a few weeks or so?”’
“No, like tonight.” He smiled. “You have to eat at some point.”
“I don’t want to leave my coworkers with unfinished files.”
“That’s why I asked your boss about this first. Just say yes.”
“Um…” I picked up my phone as it buzzed against my desk.
Unknown Number
Do you expect me to BEG you to talk to me?
Ugh. I turned it off and smiled at Michael.
“Yes.”
SURRENDER (V.)
TO GIVE ONESELF UP TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
ELIZABETH
Bright red roses stood on my nightstand in the morning, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t wake up and think about Damien first.
Getting dressed, I grabbed my briefcase and rushed to work.
As soon as I made it to the office, Damien was sitting in our conference room.
What the…
Flanked by two associates at the firm, he was sitting across from my boss and one of my new coworkers.
“Ah, there you are, Miss Tanner.” Mr. Pennington motioned for me to sit next to him, right across from Damien. “We have some special guests who stopped by regarding a shared issue.”
“How convenient.” I forced a smile.
I felt Damien staring at me the entire meeting, begging me, practically daring me to look his way, but I refused.
“We’ll be in touch with you folks.” My colleague said, standing to her feet.
I shook hands with Damien and immediately wished I hadn’t. He held onto my fingers far longer than necessary, and by the time he let go, everyone else had left the room.
He walked over to the door, but he didn’t leave. He leaned against the doorframe, staring at me.
“Do you need help following everyone else outside the conference room, Mr. Carter?” I asked.
“Not at all.”
“Good, because I’m working in here alone today.” I stood up and started to shut the door, but he wedged his foot between the frame.
“Wait,” he said. “I heard you were dating another guy. Is it serious?
“Not yet.”
“Are you fucking him?”
“That’s none of your business.” I pushed his foot away.
“I’m sorry.” He looked deep into my eyes. “For whatever you think I did, I’m sorry.”
“You’re not sorry at all, Damien. You just miss having sex with me.”
“I’m sure you miss it, too.” He paused. “I’m sure you also know that your new guy will never be better.”
“Spoken like a true jealous ex-boyfriend.”
“I was never your boyfriend.”
“Exactly.” I turned away, but he grabbed my waist and spun me around.
“Elizabeth, listen to me…”
“All I ever did was listen to you.” I hissed. “But you never cared enough to listen to me, so I’m moving on to someone else.” My voice cracked. “If you don’t have any more questions, please go.”
“One more,” he said, looking into my eyes. “Does your new boyfriend fuck you like I used to?”
“He doesn’t hurt me like you used to. For the record, my heart feels a lot better these days.”
“I bet your pussy doesn’t …”
I slammed the door in his face before he could say anything else.
DECEPTION (N.)
THE ACT OF MISLEADING ANOTHER THROUGH INTENTIONALLY FALSE STATEMENTS OR FRAUDULENT ACTIONS
DAMIEN
“Isn’t stalking a crime, Mr. Carter?” An intern asked.
“Asking me questions without permission is a crime. What do you have for me this week?”
“Miss Tanner is alive and well.” She placed pictures on my desk. “She’s working in the public defender's office and she seems to like it there.”
“I already know that.” I scoffed. “What else?”
“She’s dating some hot suit guy and she seems happy.”
“That’s all you got after two weeks of stalking?”
“So I am stalking her?” She let out a sigh.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re doing…”
“I’m sure she’s not breaking the firm’s NDA or sharing any secrets. I promise I won’t do the same whenever I quit, so please don’t make someone stalk me.”
“I won’t.” I leaned back in my chair. “Anything else I need to know for today?”
“An FBI agent wants to know when she can expect some voice verification from you,” she said. “She sounded pretty pissed but I pushed her off for another week.”
“I guess I should handle that before she shows up again.” I stood up.. “I’ll be back in twenty.”
I headed to the garage and pulled the CD from my glovebox.
Carrying it to the library, I went to the private corner where I’d last tasted Elizabeth and placed it into the computer.