Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“A few more steps,” I mumble to myself. The last step about took me out. I did notice when I walked in, there were numerous people. One working on the door, another working on the elevator, and another person replacing door handles and adding dead bolts. It was weird to say the least, but these things should have been done eons ago. I swear I’m going to have to ice my crotch and inner thighs when I get back to Theo’s, as well as do some much-needed homework that didn’t get done last night.
My keys are in my hand, I’m turning the lock, and by the grace of God, I’m in the apartment. A stark comparison to Theo’s penthouse, but I’m not playing the comparison game. That bitch is fickle, and I don’t have time to deal with her. I move to my dresser to grab an outfit to wear today—a bra, oversized shirt, leggings, and socks. Theo’s house is an iceberg of epic proportions, so much so that if I left out a head of lettuce, it would turn to a brick of ice. The clothes I’m going to change into will work for class tonight, too, easy and comfortable for a long-ass day.
I hurry myself along, stripping out of my clothes I wore yesterday minus the panties. They’re currently balled up in the pocket of my shorts. If I had more time and didn’t want Bellamy to continue waiting on me, I’d hop in the shower again even though I took one with Theo earlier. There’s something about being in your own space with your own toiletries that feels amazing. The clothes drop into a pile on the floor, and I quickly slide my bra over my head, one of those that are wireless and comfortable to wear all day and well into the evening. My black cotton thong is next, then leggings.
“Hoodie. Don’t forget to grab one,” I tell myself as I walk to my bathroom, forgoing my shirt just yet. I’ve been known to make a mess while brushing my teeth, and dried toothpaste that looks like dried cum isn’t on my agenda today. I take care of my mouth, run a brush through my hair, apply some deodorant, a couple of spritzes of perfume, and then I’m out of the bathroom.
A hoodie is on the foot of my bed from the last time I was home when it was a hair washing night. So, I grab that, put my shirt on, juggle putting shit into my bigger backpack, and then do the hop on one foot while hiking up my crew-style sock, repeating the process with the other foot. Sure, I could have sat down, but what’s the fun in that? I grab my bag, slide my feet into a pair of leather sandals, the dupe to the very high-end comfortable brand that lasts forever but isn’t in my budget. Yet.
With my keys in hand and bag on one shoulder, I head toward my front door. Coffee will have to wait until I get to Mallory’s. It’s been twenty minutes already. I’ve got to get downstairs. Time is wasting away, and there’s a lot to do before Theo gets home. I’m completely in my head, which is probably why I don’t notice Brian’s presence until it’s too late.
“It seems the ice princess has a type. Spreading your legs for rich dick. Figures.” I freeze. My back is to him, and he’s behind me, thankfully not flush but close enough to cause a ripple of revulsion to shiver down my spine. I’m not in a good situation at all. One wrong move, and Brian could escalate things further. Think, Danica, think. What would a woman in your situation do? I really should have taken that self-defense refresher the bar offered earlier this summer. If it weren’t for trying to double up on my class load to finally finish, I would have. Instead, now I’ve got to rely on my memory and pray to God that it’s done correctly. Do I try to slam my heel down on his foot or elbow him? All these questions run through my head on a carousel while he continues to talk, “I bet your snatch is tight.” A fearful mewl leaves me without my permission. The last thing I need to become is more vulnerable than I already am. Of course, everything else shuts down, and fight or flight hits me when his hand moves to my hip. I’m reactive. Somewhere in the recess of my brain, things click. I tip my head forward then slam it back, right into Brian’s face.
“Ouch! Fuck!” Stars appear in front of my eyes. I try to stay cognizant. That all goes to hell when Brian decides to snatch me up by my head, furthering the pain along with my side taking the brunt of a fall I wasn’t prepared for. That’s when everything fades to black.