Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
I did have a legitimate reason for seeking him out after all. I could go to him under the guise of thanking him for saving me. I just need to get my foot in the door and see where we go from there.
Once I feel him out, if I find that I’m totally off base, that there’s nothing more going on than what’s in my imagination, I can always hide behind that excuse and he wouldn’t be the wiser.
With my mind made up the butterflies in my stomach calmed down just a bit. I decided that I’d better get to it now before I lost my nerve, which was a great possibility. Best not to let it go too long.
“Momma, I think I’m going to run into town this morning and do some shopping.” I took a sip of my now lukewarm coffee, hiding my lie behind the cup.
“What? After the night you’ve had last night? I don’t think so dear.”
“Oh don’t make such a fuss momma I’m perfectly fine.” Surprisingly it was nothing short of the truth. Because of my preoccupation with him, there were no lingering effects from my near mishap.
I finished my coffee quickly and headed to my room to get ready for the day. I knew if I weren’t careful my overprotective momma would have me shut away in my room until I turn sixty.
So now was as good a time as any to show her that I wasn’t shaken and that I had no intention of letting what others had done dictate my life. The fact that I still had no idea who those men were or what it was they wanted, was neither here nor there.
Daddy was seeing to the legal side of things and I’m sure sooner or later the truth would come out. No doubt they were just local thugs who were in the habit of committing such acts, and it had not been personal.
Pushing those depressing thoughts aside, I threw myself into getting ready for our first meeting after the fact. I chose my outfit carefully after my leisurely morning bath, not wanting to come off too flirty or inappropriate. Just what do you wear to meet the man who’d saved your life?
I’m ever the conscientious dresser, making sure the outfit fits the occasion, but this was unchartered waters. I tossed clothes over my bed and every available surface in the room and still didn’t have a clue.
I accepted the fact that I wanted to look good for him. That for the first time in my life, well, since my early teens when boys mattered, that I wanted to attract his attention. I wanted to see that look in his eyes that I’d seen so fleetingly the night before.
Of course I found myself questioning what it was that I’d seen once more. Had I really read him right? It was dark after all. No, there’s no denying the pull I felt when I saw that look, there was definitely something there.
There was a sadness there, mixed with something else that I couldn’t ignore, not even in my dreams. And that is why I have to search him out. Why, no matter how unsure of myself I am, I must see this through.
In the end I chose a canary yellow summer dress that cinched in at the waist and belled out above my knees. Yes it left my shoulders and arms bare, but it wasn’t too daring and wouldn’t set off any alarm bells.
Of course the way it hugged my curves and dipped slightly between my breasts was meant to draw the eye. But all in all it was very acceptable for this morning’s visit.
My gold mule flats were a perfect match and I chose to go with simple diamond studs and a thin gold necklace with only my datejust on my wrist. Simple elegance.
With just a splash of Hermes Joy perfume I was out the door headed for my powder blue Mercedes Cabriolet convertible, my steps light and hopeful.
I should probably have gone with the Rover seeing as I was going into the woods, but today felt like a top down kind of day. I could do with some sunshine in my life.
I’m not sure which one of the night’s events made everything seem so much brighter this morning. But things that I’d come to take for granted about my surroundings were suddenly noticeable once again.
That feeling lasted until I was away from the safety of home and the reality of what I was about to do set in. I was very proud of myself when I was able to quell the sudden unease I felt as I pressed my foot down on the gas and refused to look back.
It wasn’t like me to bounce back so effortlessly, and I knew it was because of him; Braden. That’s part of the reason I have to see him again. I have to know if these feelings are just a leftover from the adrenaline rush of the night before.