AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Though I’m not interested in her, admiring her from a distance is fine. It’s alright to admit that I’m curious about her, even.
Even though she only leads straight to trouble.
The sooner Brennan is back to watch over her, the better.
7
BRIELLE
Since spending the evening with Salvatore’s family two nights ago, I’ve barely seen him. I hate having a babysitter but staying home and editing pictures has made life easier for both of us.
I don’t have to see him and wonder what it would be like to have him carry out some of the fantasies that have been haunting my dreams.
As I stare at the pictures in front of me, I try to push away the thoughts of Salvatore pinning me to the wall and kissing me until I don’t even know my own name. Try as I might, I can’t escape the attraction that keeps trying to bubble to the surface.
I suspect it has more to do with my isolation from most people than anything else. I’m craving intimacy and he’s the only new person in my life who is even close to my type.
With a groan, I run my hand down my face and lean back in my seat.
Thinking about him like this isn’t productive at all.
Calling him the other night and telling him I had gotten another message happened in a moment of weakness. I never should have turned to him the way I did and sought out his help. Even if the distraction was welcome, I’m trying to prove that I don’t need a babysitter.
I don’t want people to keep treating me like I’m glass.
After a moment, I turn back to the pictures I’m editing. They’re the ones from the boat. From the night when… No, I can’t keep thinking about him like that.
Normally, the pictures would be easy to edit. I would look at them and see inspiration for the style and what I think I should do to them to make certain elements stand out.
Today, I have nothing. I feel like I’m trying to pull teeth by sitting down and working. I don’t know which way I want to approach the pieces.
I spend a few more minutes trying to make the pictures look right before giving up. Clearly, I need some time and a clear head before I look at them.
Getting up, I grab a book I’m reading and head for the backyard. I recline in one of the loungers by the pool, cracking open my book and soaking up some of the sun.
Even as I crack open the book and try to lose myself in the pages, my mind starts to wander. I keep thinking about the messages I’ve been getting. None of them were as threatening as the one from a \
couple nights ago.
You think you’re safe just because you have a guard dog? Think again. It won’t be long now before I finally get to you.
I should have told Salvatore what the message said, but he didn’t ask and I wasn’t going to volunteer any more information than I already had.
Not after he and Brennan made plans to constantly watch over me.
I appreciate that they are both willing to keep me safe — and that it could mean putting their lives on the line — but there is a part of me that craves my independence and freedom.
Brennan has done a lot for me over the last nine years, but I’m tired of feeling like I can’t handle myself.
I want to be able to take care of myself. I don’t want anybody — no matter how good their intentions are — to feel obligated to take care of me.
With a sigh, I turn back to the book and focus on the words.
“Please tell me that this is not what you plan to do with your day,” Salvatore says, breaking what little concentration I have.
I look over at the fence. He’s leaning against it, his arms crossed along the top of it as he looks at me.
“I knew I should have had that fence built higher,” I say as I turn back to my book. “It seems like they’ll let anyone into the neighborhood these days.”
