Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“It’s okay. You’re fine. I’m here,” Charity said.
Beast had wanted Dwayne to go home with him.
Dwayne had other ideas. Charity was the only one he wanted to see. When he saw the graduation ceremony, he’d wanted to go and steal her from the stage, to take her away. He’d watched her with her family, and he’d yearned for that kind of love.
It had been a long time since he’d ever wanted anything in his life, but when it came to Charity, he found himself wanting something. When she’d been standing alone, looking a little lost, he knew he had to help her. To take her away from feeling alone. He understood it, and he didn’t feel she needed to change at all.
You’re supposed to be making her love tonight, not hate it.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said.
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah, this place sucks.” He pulled out some dollar bills, dropping them down onto the table. It was more than they needed for the price of the shots and beer, so it wasn’t a problem. Keeping hold of Charity’s hand, he made his way back out to the car.
It was a crazy fucking day already, but he opened the door for her.
“Are you sure you’re okay to drive? You’ve had a few shots.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” He closed her door, got behind the wheel, and took off back to his apartment. The drive helped to clear his mind, and he gripped the steering wheel tighter than he needed to.
“Thank you,” she said.
“What for?”
“For coming today. For taking me out and, I don’t know, just not leaving me there all alone.”
He didn’t say anything as there wasn’t anything that he could. She needed someone, and like all parents, hers failed to see the problem, or didn’t want to.
Driving across town, he slowed down his speed as he made his way toward his apartment. The music was turned down low, and he breathed out a sigh of relief when he finally pulled into his parking lot.
By the time he was out of the car, Charity was already standing beside him, a slight smile on her lips.
With her hand in his, he made his way to the elevator.
“Is this where you brought me that night?” she asked, referring to the night he saved her.
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“You don’t remember?”
“Vaguely. I’ve wondered where you’ve lived for a few months now.”
He chuckled. “Have I got a little stalker now?”
“When I’m with you, I like that you’re not always telling me about how I should be or what I should be doing. There’s no pretending with you, and I love that.”
“Your parents love you, Charity.”
“I know they do. They just want everything to be normal, and that’s fine. I don’t feel normal anymore.”
“You are to me.” The elevator doors opened, and he made his way toward his apartment. Opening the door, he allowed her to enter, watching as she pulled her hand away, holding it close to her chest.
Over the past few weeks, he’d found himself getting more curious about her. He expected his honesty to push her away, but nothing he said seemed to do that. She was still here, and nothing seemed to scare her. She saw every single part of him, the good and bad, and still, she was here.
Closing the door, he followed her inside, going to his kitchen.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“A little.”
“I can cook you something, pasta maybe, or we can order in.” He held up the Chinese menu.
“I could eat Chinese.”
He grabbed the cell phone and handed her the menu. “Order what you want. Do you want a beer?”
“Sure.”
He pulled two beers out of the fridge as she ordered.
“What do you want?”
“Tell them it’s for Dwayne, and they know what I like.” He winked at her and made his way toward the sofa. Collapsing on the soft throw, he rested his head back and closed his eyes. He loved the calmness that came over him as he listened to Charity while she finished the order. She came into the room, and he opened his eyes, watching her. Her gaze was on his body, and he knew exactly what was going on in her head.
“You want to see me naked?” he asked.
Her cheeks went red as her eyes finally looked at him.
“You totally need to drink, you dirty woman.”
“Stop it.”
She moved past him, but he caught her wrist and pulled her down into his lap. The way she landed, her hand went to his stomach, and he loved it when she touched him. Staring into her eyes, he gripped her full hip. She’d started to put back some of the weight that she’d lost. He liked that. It meant she was no longer scared or fearing for her life.
“What are you doing?”
“Why don’t you tell me what you want?” he said.
She licked her lips, and he couldn’t help but moan as her tongue peeked out. He wanted to taste her.