Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“It’s complicated. You might find me a lot of work.”
“I think you’ll be worth any effort.”
She only shrugged.
I lifted her chin. “Go see your mother. Take care of what you need to do, then come back to me.”
“Tonight?”
I shrugged. “If you’re done in an hour, come back then. If it’s tonight, then it’s tonight. I’ll be here. You promised me dinner.”
“I need to get some more sleep after I see my mother.” She grimaced. “If I can.”
“You can sleep here. I’d watch over you.”
Her inhale of air was fast. “Adam.”
I dropped another kiss on her sweet mouth and slid her purse over her shoulder. “Whatever you need, Ally. I’m here.”
She shook her head and turned to go, then she glanced back, with a nervous expression on her face.
“I’ll be here. Right here.”
“Okay,” she breathed.
Then she was gone, leaving me alone in a space that suddenly felt far too empty without her.
I grabbed another shower, frowning at the sight of my face in the mirror. The bruises were dark and nasty-looking. I popped some more painkillers and sat down to work on the photographs I took from last night.
I studied the laptop screen, flipping through the images. Sean was going to be pleased. The pictures were sharp, clear, and exactly what he had wanted. I rubbed my aching temples. He’d better like them. A night in the hospital had been a high price to pay for these pictures. Except, I couldn’t find it in me to be too upset. I had met Ally, and with any luck, I would see her again soon. I paused as the images I snapped of her came on to the screen. Not my best work, but I had been right. The camera loved her. The images showed how expressive her eyes were—in the few frames I had taken, she was irritated, amused, and frustrated.
And beautiful. She was so beautiful. My body tightened as I studied the image of her on my screen.
I looked forward to taking many more pictures of her. Getting to know her more. I wanted to know if the pull I felt with her was real or simply a result of feeling vulnerable after my fall. I had never reacted to another person the way I did to her. I was certain that she felt it as well, but the only way to tell was to spend more time with her. I just had to figure how out to get her to want the same thing.
By eight o’clock, I’d almost given up. I was sure she wasn’t going to show. Maybe I had pushed too hard or come across too needy. Maybe staying with me earlier was too much. But the intensity I felt when she was close threw common sense to the wind. I wanted her here.
Finally, a timid knock sounded at my door. I flung it open, visibly relaxing when I saw her on the other side. “I didn’t know if you were coming.”
“I wasn’t sure I should.”
I heard her apprehension and worry. I slid my hand up her arm, over her shoulder and neck, to her face, cupping her smooth cheek. “But you’re here.”
“I had to make sure you were okay.”
I didn’t point out she could have done that with a phone call. I was too happy she was here.
“I’m fine.” Leaning over, I shut the door behind her and flipped the lock. “You’re staying.” I paused. “Right?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “For a little while.”
I kissed the top of her head and led her to the counter, helping her onto the stool, then sitting beside her. I poured the wine I had opened earlier, placing the glass in her hand. She shifted on the stool with a curious frown.
“These are new. They weren’t here when I left.”
I patted the leather. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to sit in my lap all night, and I saw them while I was out.”
After I was done working, I had ventured out into the neighborhood to pick up some supplies.
When I’d bought the building, the area around it was run-down, with mostly empty storefronts and buildings, but beginning a slow transformation. Four years later, it was rejuvenated, with lots of shops, businesses, and eclectic stores. The main floor of my building was completely rented out, adding a good profit to my portfolio.
I had noticed these stools in the window of a trendy furniture store while I was out and had them delivered right away. The thickly padded, chocolate-brown leather tops were far more comfortable than my old wooden stool.
“You were okay to go out? How’s your head?” she asked anxiously.
“Nothing I can’t handle. I’m fine. The drugs have helped, and my head feels better. I think your humming fixed it all.”
She shook her head. “Stop it.”
“I mean it. You have a lovely voice.”
She ignored my words. “You shouldn’t overdo it for a few days,” she reminded me. “Give yourself time to heal.”