Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
“Hi,” she said softly.
I almost fell flat on my face.
My fingers strayed to my glasses, pushing them higher up my nose in case I was seeing things.
“Did you have a good day at work, Zander?”
I staggered a little. “Y-You’re not calling me Alexander anymore.”
Hefting the kitten a little higher, she attempted a smile, but it still came out like a grimace. “It was rude of me to keep calling you by a name you have never gone by, even if it is technically your name. I guess I was using it to keep distance between us.”
I needed to wash my ears out.
What is happening?
After decades of avoiding me, why was she suddenly talking to me?
The back of my neck prickled. I raked a hand through my hair, needing to reboot my brain because she’d successfully short-circuited it. “Eh…it’s fine.”
You’re a fool, Zander North.
Her smile became genuine as she looked at the orange puff ball in her arms. “I’ve fed him three times. He’s a glutton. He’s also made my pillow his bed and is a terrible helper in the kitchen, but he’s freaking adorable.”
I held out my hand. “Thanks so much for looking after him for the day. I’ll take him back so you can get some rest.”
“Oh.” She tensed and stepped away. Her eyes flickered with tension as she dared look at me. “Are you still planning on dropping him off at the shelter?”
I nodded. “Not right now, seeing as it’s Sunday night, but yes. Tomorrow, I’ll take him. I have an afternoon shift so I can do it in the morning.”
“Oh.”
That word again. A sad little word full of unsaid things.
I dropped my hand slowly. “Is everything okay?”
Sniffing, she nodded and went to pass over the kitten. “Yes, of course. Um…I’ll have to grab all the food you gave me. Oh, and I named him.”
My hand went back up, ready to scoop the tiny cat. I stepped into her.
Goosebumps scattered down my arms, matching the flush hitting hers. I couldn’t take my eyes off the fine hair on her forearms reacting the same way mine did.
What did that mean?
Goosebumps could be a fear response or reaction to pleasant stimuli.
Was she seeing past the pain of Milton and remembering who I truly was?
And why did that bring a spike of jealousy?
Fuck, I couldn’t catch a break.
I was jealous of X when I was myself. And now I was jealous of myself because she was being nice to me over X.
You’re seriously screwed up, you know that?
With a hitched breath, she closed the distance between us and placed the kitten into my hand. He was small enough to fit in just one palm. Our fingers brushed. She sucked in a breath.
Her eyelashes flashed wide as our gazes snagged and the entire street fell away.
Fireworks detonated in my bloodstream. Hellfire raced through my veins. I barely managed to stay standing as she gasped under her breath and wrenched her hand back, leaving me clutching the Cheeto-coloured kitten.
“Um, his name is Penguin,” she said quietly, her voice wobbling as if she was near tears. “He had a long nap while I did some harvesting and housework, so he might be a bit bouncy later. I-I’ll go get his food.” She spun on her bare feet and went to fly back to her house.
I had no control as I reached out and snatched her wrist, wrenching her back to face me.
My fingers wrapped tight, not letting her go.
We both stopped breathing.
Her face filled with terror. My heart pounded with so many things.
But I couldn’t seem to release her.
I couldn’t stop my thumb from stroking over the bruises from another asshole’s fingers. I couldn’t prevent myself from stepping into her and drowning in her glittering blue eyes.
“W-What—?” With a feeble pull, she tried to get free.
With white noise roaring in my ears, my synapses no longer fired, and I couldn’t unwind my fingers. “You’re safe with me, Sailor. You have my absolute word, I will never ever hurt you.”
“Then why are you holding me against my will?”
Her voice finally bypassed whatever caveman urges had rendered me useless. I let her go so fast, her arm swung to her side, and she stumbled backward.
“Sorry, I only meant...” Adjusting my glasses, I looked down at the kitten—Penguin—in my hand. He pouted. His little whiskers singed and twisted. His green eyes not nearly as vibrant as before.
He stared at Sailor like I did. Wanting something that wasn’t his.
I pitied the little fellow.
But…just because I don’t stand a chance doesn’t mean—
“You know what?” Clearing my throat, I held out the cat. “I’ve had a really long day at the hospital. I’m going to crash early. Do you think you could look after him for one more night?”
Her eyes lit up far too quickly for her to hide the sudden spark of joy.