Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
“Are you alright?” he asks me gently, holding my arms.
I want to cry from relief, but all I can do is nod. Eddie kisses my forehead, and he storms around me, shoving the man to the ground. Fear floods through me.
“He has a gun, Eddie!” I cry, and Tyler scrambles up beside me, hiding there.
Eddie doesn’t show an ounce of fear, and even the family in the back corner of table five has gone silent. The man at Eddie’s feet jumps up, breathing hard.
“I’m going to give you five minutes before you regret ever touching her,” Eddie whispers in a menacing tone. “Actually no, just get the fuck out of here. I don’t want to see you around here again. If I do, you won’t wake up the next day.”
The man puffs up his chest. “This isn’t over, old man. I’ll give you hell.”
Eddie stands his ground, and I can’t help but admire the set of his strong shoulders. His leather jacket strains against the ripple of his muscles, and his dark jeans fit him perfectly. He’s wearing several rings on his fingers. I want him so badly.
I think that if he took me home with him, I wouldn’t say no, at least not now.
“Get out,” Eddie snaps, nodding toward the door. He reaches a hand behind him, and I curl my fingers around his, clinging to him as if he were a lifeline for me.
As the men slink out of the diner, I just can’t help but feel a heavy pit of doubt in my stomach. I have a horrible feeling that this isn’t over, not by a long shot.
Eddie pulls me into his arms as soon as they’re gone, and his protective stance falls into something more gentle and open. He buries his face in my hair, and I cling to him, letting him pull me from the diner. The door lets out a soft squeak as we step outside.
My shift is almost over anyway, and I don’t hear Carlos complaining. He probably just doesn’t want to chance a lawsuit for letting his employees get harassed by aggressive men and doing nothing about it. He’s that kind of a man, it seems.
Eddie starts the car as soon as I’m bundled with my cardigan and purse in the front seat after he had gone back to grab them. He peels out of the parking lot, and I rest my head on his shoulder.
How many times is this man going to save me?
“Thank you, and I’m sorry,” I tell him. “What were you doing back so soon?”
Eddie grips the wheel hard in his hands. “I was waiting in the parking lot just in case.” He doesn’t look embarrassed about it. “Why are you apologizing?”
“I don’t know,” I tell him in reply, and it’s true.
Am I saying sorry because I’ve brought problems into his life? Is it because I can’t seem to stay out of trouble? I don’t think so.
Deep down, I’m apologizing because this was once my father’s best friend, and I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone before. For some reason, it makes me feel like a kid again, trailing after him.
Why would he want a woman who is barely that and can’t take care of herself?
“Kathleen…,” Eddie begins, but I don’t let him finish whatever he was going to say.
“Can you just take me to the library, and I’ll get the bus home?” I ask him abruptly.
Eddie looks taken aback, and I can’t help but watch his long-fingered, ring-covered hands on the steering. I want them on my skin, pushing inside of me.
“Please, Eddie,” I beg him quietly. “Please, I just want to be alone right now.”
I need to think with a clear head. We shared one kiss. It doesn’t mean he wants me.
To him, I must look like a child, unable to do anything for myself, even care for my brother. He obviously has money, and I can barely make a living.
Eddie is silent as he drives me to the public library. He grabs my hand as I get out, and his hazel eyes have a sort of pleading in them. His thumb rubs gently across my knuckles, sending sparks of hot want throughout my entire body.
“You’re not alone, Kat,” he murmurs, licking his lips.
I swallow hard, nodding as I turn away. He doesn’t leave until I’m at the steps.
I am more exhausted than I’ve been in a while, climbing the steps up to the apartment. Though I know, I should count myself lucky to be safe after what happened at the diner, my entire body aches.
What if Eddie hadn’t been there?
It occurs to me now how much danger I’ve really put myself in by working at the club.
Tomorrow I have a shift late into the night, and I begin to dread it as I tuck the bag full of books for Stevie over my shoulder.