Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
The brown eyeliner is soft and smudgy to make my eyes pop just a little, and I’ve swiped on lipstick that’s just a little pinkier than my natural coloring. My dress is simple but flatters my curves, made of a silky deep blue material that clings in the right places and dips down at the neckline to give a hint of cleavage without making me insecure about how much is on display.
And underneath…fine, okay, yes maybe I ordered new, lacy lingerie in anticipation, far prettier and sexier than anything else I own. But Aidan has brought out a side of me, a sensual side, that I didn’t know existed before. Wearing my old bra and comfy panties just didn’t feel right. I want to take his breath away when he sees what I have on, and not only that, the fancy lingerie makes me feel more…confident. Kind of like armor, except way easier to rip off.
I shake my head, clearing my thoughts, and grab a thin jacket to keep the evening chill off my skin. Bag on my shoulder and heels on my feet, I head out the door. A glance at the time on my phone tells me I’m five minutes early, but I’m too eager to wait inside.
I step out of my building to wait for my date and inhale the fresh air, excitement fizzing in my chest. I can’t wait to see him, to kiss him, to have him all to myself.
I check the time again. Two minutes past seven. He’s late, I think with a frown, but only by a couple of minutes. I’m sure he’ll be here soon.
Just as that thought goes through my head, someone calls my name. I grin widely, turning to greet Aidan, and freeze.
Not Aidan.
“Autumn!” Not-Aidan calls again, and I squint, trying to figure out who it is.
With realization peeking through me like cold dread, I take a shaky step backward. Short brown hair and brown eyes, the guy is taller than me by a lot. Even through his hoodie, it’s clear he’s muscular enough to crush me with a bicep. Usually, I see him wearing an apron and handing over a coffee cup. But the last time I saw him…Aidan had him pinned against a window for daring to speak to me.
What the hell is he doing here, shouting my name? Maybe it’s a coincidence and he just saw me as he was passing through? The sinking feeling in my stomach disagrees entirely. He’s here on purpose. He knows where I live. Wait, how does he know where I live?
“Oh…uh…hi?” I squeak out in reply as he comes closer, close enough for me to smell a mix of coffee and beer on him. My throat closes, feeling like I’ve swallowed a boulder. I look around, but Aidan isn’t here and the street is quiet. We’re alone.
“I love the color blue on you,” he leers, his gaze roving over me in a way that makes it clear he’s imagining what I look like without the dress on. Revulsion makes me shudder. “This dress is even better than the skirt. So sexy.”
Oh. My. God.
“W-what?” I stutter out, fear slicing through me. The texts…the way he spoke to me at the cafe…the person we saw following us on the hike.
He’s been stalking me.
“I knew we were meant to be together when you started coming in for coffees all the time,” the guy slurs. It strikes me that I don’t even know his name, but he knows far too much about me. “You were always so sweet to me, so flirty.”
Flirty? I was just nice! I never once wanted this guy, and I sure as hell don’t now. There’s only one man I want, and I really need him to turn up now.
“I don’t—”
“But that firefighter is keeping us apart.” He presses forward, getting too close for comfort. I’m frozen to the spot, shocked and scared. He reaches to put his hand on my arm.
“How…how did you get my number?” I manage to say.
“When you ordered your coffee over the phone, of course,” he says, like it’s obvious, like this is something I wanted.
Sure, occasionally if I was in a rush, I ordered ahead of time so I could jump in and collect it but…I never thought my number would be saved for such gross, violating reasons.
“That’s so fucked up!” I burst out, shaking with anger and fear. This man has been following me, texting me, making me feel uncomfortable for too long. It’s gross and horrible and I’m furious. “Get away from me! You’re insane!”
His face hardens, a snarl pulling his lip back from his teeth like a dog about to bite. Oh no no no no—
“You should be mine!” he snarls, yanking on my arm to force me closer to him. “I’ll make you see it, prove it to you—”