AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If this is what you want,” I whisper in her ear, “you have to do something for me first.”
Her hands push on my shoulders as she pulls back to meet my eyes, the concern on her face causing my lips to curve into a smile.
“What’s that?”
“Go on a real date with me,” I answer.
You’d think I’d asked her something completely unreasonable and insane by the way her eyes widen, nostrils flaring as she rips herself out of my hold.
“What kind of fucked up game are you playing?”
I shrug and take a seat again, picking up my fork and scooping another bite into my mouth. It’s cold, but I couldn’t care less. That was totally worth it.
“No game.” My response sounds calm and casual even though my body is aching for her, begging me to pull her back into my arms and take her to my bed so we can finish what we started. “I’m simply not ready to give you up. All I’m asking for is more time.”
Her narrowed eyes blink at me, and she growls as she throws her hands up.
“You’re an asshole.”
I shrug again, continuing to eat my breakfast without looking at her. Mostly because I’m afraid I’ll change my mind if I lay eyes on her again. She groans, then stomps out of the room, leaving me to doubt my decision as she moves around the house slamming doors and cursing.
She departs minutes later without even acknowledging me, and dread settles in my gut, worried she’s never going to speak to me again. But when I make it back to my bedroom, I find her business card waiting on my nightstand and my shirt missing.
4
Lori
My cellphone chimes, notifying me of a new voicemail. I chew on my bottom lip, trying to decide if I should listen to it. It was hard enough ignoring Spencer’s text yesterday and refraining from answering his call today. Hearing what he has to say—hearing his deep, smooth voice—might send me over the edge, and I can’t cave. Calling him back is not an option. He wants things from me I can’t give him. Still, I can’t help wondering what he said. Giving into my temptation, I pick up my phone, open the voicemail, and push play.
“Lori, hi. It’s Spencer. Spencer Duncan from the other night. I meant what I said, I want more time with you. There’s a connection between us. I’ve felt it since I first laid eyes on you in the coffee shop, and I think you did too. Please let me take you out, let me get to know the real Lori Stevens. I’m guessing she’s an incredible woman. At least think about it. You know how to find me. I look forward to hearing from you.”
The message ends, and my hands shake as I place the phone back on my desk. My wet eyes look around the room, wanting to be sure no one is watching me. The Ruth County Press office is one giant room filled with rows and rows of desks—more than we really need for our small staff. The space lacks any color or warmth at all. Exposed gray ceilings, white partitions, pine desktops sitting on black filing cabinets, and concrete floors. The front of the building is nothing but windows, while the back houses some private offices, the restrooms, and the breakroom.
I confirm the few people in the room are busy working and release an anxious breath. My chest feels so tight around my rapidly beating heart, my stomach woozy from all the fluttering.
This man rocks my entire belief system. He makes me want for more—things I long since stopped dreaming of. Things I’m not even sure I deserve. Which is exactly why he’s so dangerous for me.
After another quick check around the room, I reach for my mouse and wake my desktop. With a few clicks, I’m able to pull up the Smyth Police Department website. Which may have already been in my browser history. I select staff directory and click on Officer Spencer Duncan.
Gosh, he sure is beautiful. Even in a boring headshot, he manages to make my abdomen tighten with need. That dark hair, thick brows, and sexy ass beard. Don’t even get me started on his flawless smile. His teeth couldn’t be any whiter or more perfectly straight. Then there’s the dimple on his left cheek that is absurdly adorable.
My eyes move from my computer screen back over to the phone, and I allow myself a moment to consider his proposition. Going on one date wouldn’t be that detrimental. If I go, he’ll likely show his true colors along the way, but I could get what I want from him and could put this entire thing behind me. Of course, he could just as easily take me farther down this rabbit hole to a place I might never return from. But oh, what an amazing fall it would be.
As I reach for my phone, fully ready to fold, someone calls my name from behind me. I squeal and drop the phone with a thud, closing out my browser before turning to see who snuck up on me.
“Jesus, Kim. I’m going to start making you wear a bell or something. You nearly caused me to have a heart attack.”
Kim Denton is one of our budding interns who’s constantly under foot. She’s young, perky, and completely annoying. I’m not certain what bothers me more, her blonde hair and blue-eyed good looks, or her naïve way of thinking.
“Sorry.” She gives me a toothy, apologetic smile. I try to hold back my disgust at the little piece of lunch stuck in there. “You must’ve been in deep thought. I called your name a couple times before I approached you.”
My face heats a little, wondering if she’d seen what, or who, was on my screen before I closed it. Attempting to calm my nerves, I clear my throat. “Yes, well…did you need something?”
“I wanted to tell you Paul Eastman was in here earlier, and he was asking about you.” My head begins to spin as the oxygen leaves my lungs, but I nod and force a smile. “He’s such a great guy. You’re so lucky Paul freaking Eastman was your mentor.” I continue to nod, my face numb and tingling from suppressing my true emotions.
The way Kim sees Paul is no different than the way everyone else in this town sees him. She looks up to him the same way I had before he ruined me.
I remember how it felt meeting Paul for the first time. My hands shaking, my cheeks on fire as I struggled to take even breaths.
