Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 113717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
I would’ve set Marion straight right then and there, but I knew if I did that in front of Gabriella it would only make things worse for her.
As it is Marion wasn’t too pleased when I pushed her back away from me and moved towards the door.
I had to get out of there before she pulled something else, something that I might not be able to combat for the safety of the young girl I was about to leave in her clutches.
“Well ladies, I guess I’ll call it a night. Gabriella it was very nice meeting you I hope you enjoy your stay in the city; Marion I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.”
“Oh you work with aunt Marion?” Oh shit baby, don’t sound so interested, this bitch will eat you alive. I played it cool as I turned the door handle.
“I’m her boss.” I looked back at her one last time before saluting them both and heading out the door.
All the way down in the elevator I felt like a bastard. I hated leaving her there, but what else could I do? For now there was nothing, but I meant to change that soon enough.
I had a lot of work to do and not a hell of a lot of time. When I woke up this morning I had no idea my life was going to take this turn.
That it happened so effortlessly was neither here nor there, I’m not one to question fate, or as gramps use to say, ‘never look a gift horse in the mouth’.
Back at my place I walked through trying to see it through her eyes, imagining her there. There was no doubt in my mind that I would make it so no matter what.
Convention might call for me to take a step back and make doubly sure that this was what I wanted, that she was the one. I’m pretty sure that she’s not the type to go for a quick fling, but I knew in my gut that this was it; it had to be.
Chapter 4
GABRIELLA
“So where have you two been?”
“Oh Cal took me out for a burger since I hadn’t had anything to eat on the train but some crackers.”
“Cal, he’s Mr. O’Rourke to you.” Was she angry? No I must’ve mistaken that tone in her voice.
“Sorry, um he took me out for a burger.”
“Do you make it a habit to go gallivanting all over a strange city with a strange man? Don’t you find that a little…sluttish?”
I felt my mouth drop and my face heat up. Had she picked up on my feelings for him? but how? I’d been so careful the whole time he was here.
“I’m sorry aunt Marion, I thought it was okay since he said you sent him after me; it won’t happen again.”
“See that it doesn’t, Cal and I are very close but I don’t think he’d appreciate my little hayseed ward taking up too much of his time. I’m sure he was just doing it to get back in my good graces.”
She smiled, but it wasn’t like any smile I’d ever seen before. There was no warmth to it, and she looked almost, feral. I felt a shiver go down my spine. I might be green, but I’m not that green. I know venom when I see it.
I had the feeling that there was something more going on with those two but what? She seemed almost jealous of the time we spent together which made no sense. Hadn’t she been the one to send him after me?
“You must be tired, why don’t you run along to your room and go to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.” I left the room feeling chastised for some unknown reason and not at all welcomed like I’d expected.
It was a great letdown after the warm welcome I’d got from Callan. Just the thought of his name gave me butterflies. I’m such a ninny, mooning over a guy like that. Aunt Marion was more his type I’m sure.
I walked over to the mirror and took stock of myself. I looked the way I always have, too tall, too thin and too much unruly hair.
It might’ve helped if my hair was a better shade, but it was just a drab, reddish brown. Some had called it copper, but all I saw was a frizzy mop.
Looking down at my clothes I felt my face heat up. I looked like just what I was, what had she called me, hayseed? That’s exactly what I looked like and probably what he saw as he sat down across from me.
No wonder he had been so nice, he probably felt sorry for the poor little country hick who was so gauche as to tell him she only had crackers for lunch.
Mortification began to set in and I threw myself across the bed, reliving every moment spent in his presence. For whatever reasons he’d been kind to me, I’ll hold onto the memory of the best few hours of my life. It didn’t last long, but it was nice while it lasted.