AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"If you expect me to beg for the apartment," I spit out, "you can go to hell. I'd rather live on the street than beg." I bend and shoot under his stretched arm and strut inside. "Good luck with Samantha. You'll need it."
My heels click on the floor as I walk to the front door. When I'm ready to open it, a hand smashes against the wood, and I cringe. My shoulders shoot to my ears, and my heartbeat shifts to a higher gear. I close my eyes and lean against the door as my legs tremble. A hand touches my shoulder, which makes me flinch. "Don't touch me," I whimper, while turning to face him. Shit, why now? In front of him.
"Hey, I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
I rub my fingers over my forehead. Great, now he's pitying me. I don't need another reminder of the fact I'm broken. "I'm fine. Stop the pity voice."
"Ah, the high and mighty Alisha has resurfaced."
I glance at him. His expression and body language are unreadable. This is Mr. Walker, the bulldozer. With long strides, he moves away.
"Follow me," he says.
After a deep inhale, I move. When I enter the next room, I can't help but let out my direct thoughts. "Goddamn, everything is big in this house." When my eyes meet his, he has a cheeky smirk on his face as he crosses his arms in front of his chest, making him appear even bigger. If he'd hug me, I...Stop it, don't go there. I blink my eyes and focus my attention on the kitchen instead of his broad chest.
"Samantha has your eyes," I start, trying to break the silence that's feeling too heavy. I focus on his fully automatic coffee machine while talking further. "She's a sweet girl. It must've been a surprise finding out you've got a daughter." From the corner of my eyes, I detect him stroking his jawline.
"Surprised isn't the word I'd use," he says. "She might be nice to you, but ever since she arrived here, everything I say and do is wrong." As he continues, his voice changes. And for the first time, doubt and concern shine through. "I... I'm clueless. She lost her mom, and now she's with me. And I don’t know shit about teenage girls." He rubs his eyes from the outside to the bridge of his nose. His eyes show vulnerability, and the way he's frantically rubbing the back of his neck tells me he's out of his wits. The way he's staring into space touches me.
"Don't take it too personally. She's adjusting to you and her new surroundings. Talk to her."
"What am I supposed to talk to her about? What interests teenagers these days?"
I can't help but smile when a bold idea pops into my head. I straighten my spine and push my chin up in the air to address him. "Okay, Grumpy, I've got an offer for you."
His crystal blue irises catch mine, and I continue.
"If you rent me that apartment, I'll help you with Samantha."
His eyes keep boring into mine, and I can't help but swallow.
"Take it or leave it."
He cocks a brow. "And how are you going to help?"
"Don't break your brain over that. Leave that up to me. I've been a teenage girl myself. I've got ideas."
The way he keeps staring at me is nerve-wracking, to be honest, but I tell myself to keep cool.
"I've got a counteroffer for you."
What?
His eyes get a daring glow while his fingers brush from his jaw to his chin. "I'll rent the apartment to you if you promise me you'll take self-defense lessons."
My mouth opens to react to that ridiculous extra demand, but he stops me by merely shaking his head.
"No discussion or negotiation possible. That is the last offer." He covers the distance between us, and I hold my breath.Note to self. Always wear high heels around him.A wave of fresh apples and a deep base scent of sandalwood infiltrate my nose. I inhale deeper—delicious.
"Take it or leave it." He holds out his hand, and without a second thought, I place mine in his. His touch is pleasant, and as he wraps his fingers around my hand, it feels as if he's embracing my entire body in a tight, comforting hug.
"Sealed, Alisha."
What have I done?
6
ALISHA
