Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
He clicks his tongue. “I haven’t been back since that night,” he informs me.
“Okay, well… I also came here to thank you for what you did.”
“It’s not an issue. Your debt has been paid. Now, if that’s all?” He rises from the stool, his knuckles rapping on the bartop once more. And like that sound caught his attention, Joey’s head turns to look my way. He spots me instantly, his brows pulling together in confusion. The blonde next to him tries to touch his shoulder, but he moves before she can.
“Thank you again,” I say, lifting my water and drinking it all before I stand. I don’t look back as I walk straight up the stairs and smile at the lady behind the desk. “Thank you,” I tell her.
“He saw you?” she asks, surprise in her voice.
“He did.”
Her hands go to her hips, lips pulling down in a frown. “Why?”
I don’t bother answering her—it’s none of her concern. Striding out the door, I pull my coat tighter around me as I check my phone for the time before I hail a cab.
“Why are you here?” I don’t even bother spinning around to look at Joey. Instead, I move closer to the road. “Adora.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you here?” he asks again.
“Just wanted to say thank you to Jake.” I still don’t turn around, keeping my eyes on the road.
“He won’t fuck you.”
What the hell! That makes me furious. I spin on my heel to face him, and he’s directly behind me, so when I turn, my hands have to come up to steady myself so I don’t fall.
“I didn’t come here to fuck him,” I snarl. “And why wouldn’t he? You fuck me.”
“Jake is very particular.” He leans in, and I can smell the whiskey on his breath. “Plus, you are mine.”
“Am I?” I ask, my expression turning indignant. “You told me to leave.”
“We fuck. It’s what we do. It’s how we cemented our relationship in the first place. Or did you forget?”
My head shakes on its own.
This man is such an ass.
“You’re saying we bonded because we fucked?”
“Precisely.” He nods.
“I need to get home.”
“Walk with me,” he says, reaching for my hand and clasping it. Without thinking, I weave my fingers through his.
Giving me a gentle pull, he starts walking, and I follow a step behind him. “Why were you there?” he asks.
“I think the real question is… why were you there?” I bite back. “If I need to answer, you go first.”
“I go there to think and drink. Usually, no one bothers me. I like the music, and people know to fuck off.”
“So who’s the blonde?” I ask, pressing further. “You seem to have a thing for blondes.” I don’t look at him when I say it.
“I have a thing for bookstore owners, it would appear.”
“Hmm…” Swallowing hard, I keep my mouth shut.
“I have a thing for a woman who can pull me from my deepest thoughts and hate with one glance. Do you think that’s okay?”
“Is she blonde?” I snark, and his hand tightens around mine.
“Now you answer, why were you there?” he asks again.
“I wanted to see if he had heard anything.”
“And?” Joey stops, making me stop too.
“He said he hasn’t been back,” I answer, bringing my gaze to his.
“Why do you care?” I shake my head and turn away, unwilling to give him any more information. “Give me your phone,” he demands, holding out his hand.
“Why?”
“Darling, give me your phone.” I hate when he calls me that because it makes me want to do as he asks. I pull out my phone and hand it to him, knowing he’s not going to be happy with what he finds. However, he doesn’t let go of my hand as he unlocks it and finds exactly what he’s looking for. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” he asks angrily.
“It’s not your problem. We aren’t married. We just fuck, remember?” I tell him with a shrug that only pisses him off more.
“It is my problem.” He growls and hands me back my phone. “You tell me if he contacts you again.”
“Sure.” I shrug again and turn away.
“Adora.” He pulls me back so he can see me, then turns me just as fast until my back hits the wall. The street is quiet, but it’s not dead. “My sweet, darling, feisty Adora.” The way he speaks has my knees weakening. His lips move in and touch my neck, and I let them, welcoming them with a tilt of my head. His free hand moves to the waistband of my pants, his fingers sliding back and forth, teasing my skin above the material.
“Joey.”
“Yes.”
“What are you doing?”
“It seems I have an issue keeping my hands to myself when you’re around.”
“I can see that,” I say as his lips move back up and touch my lips. They’re soft, tender at first, until he starts to get more demanding. So controlling. His fingers slip beneath my waistband, and his body presses flush against mine. I can feel him hard against me, and I start to move, not even caring where we are.