Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Mike slapped me on the back. “Your cousin Charlie settled down and got married. If he can do it, you surely can.”
I stood. “I’m not Charlie.”
He laughed again. “I’m only saying, if Charlie can fall in love, there’s hope for you.”
Picking up my racket, I pointed it at him. “Hope is for goddamn pussies.”
Throughout the rest of the games we played, I couldn’t focus. I lost six in a row and had to listen to Mike’s taunting get more elaborate after each win.
“I’m done,” I stated as I walked over to my bag and dropped my racket.
“Damn, dude, what happened? You lost your mojo.”
“Yeah, it’s been a long week.”
“Want to grab a beer after we shower? Amy won’t be home for another couple of hours.”
Tossing my bag over my shoulder, I nodded. “Sure. Why not.”
• • •
After walking into Hell Cat’s, Mike and I headed over to the bar. I slid onto a stool and smiled when the redheaded bartender made her way over to us.
“Afternoon, gentlemen. What can I do you for?”
Giving her a smile I knew made ladies’ panties melt, I replied, “I’ll take a Solemn Oath.”
She looked over at Mike as he said, “Same for me, please.”
Knocking on the bar, she smiled. “Is that it?” When she turned back to me, I was about to say something but then stopped myself. I had no doubt in my mind that I could take her into the bathroom and fuck her senseless. The problem was, I didn’t want to.
A strange feeling came over me as I glanced over my shoulder and my eyes immediately landed on someone familiar.
Saylor.
I grinned and hit Mike on the back. “I’ll be right back.”
As I stood and walked over to Saylor, it wasn’t lost on me that my mood had immediately shifted. She sat at a table with the cutest damn grin on her face, and my stomach dipped as it grew into a full-on smile.
“Fancy running into you here, Ms. Night.”
“Research,” she answered.
With a questioning look, I asked, “On a Saturday?”
She shrugged, and her smile dropped. “Not much else to do when you’re new in town, and your one and only friend ditched you for a guy. You work.”
I felt guilty that I hadn’t given more consideration to the fact that Saylor might be lonely.
“I have a dinner party to go to tonight,” I said. “Would you want to come along?”
Saylor drew her brows together. “A dinner party?”
“Yeah, some friends of mine just moved into their new apartment and they’re throwing a housewarming party. Why don’t you come? I’ll introduce you to some people.”
“Do they work at Maxwell and Locke?” she asked.
I chuckled. “No, they’re pretty much all trust-fund babies.”
“Oh.” She gave me a sweet grin then shrugged. “Um, sure, why not. Might be fun.”
I tried not to read into the fact that her agreeing had totally turned my day around.
“Text me your address and I’ll pick you up around seven.”
She smiled as she reached for her phone and started typing away. My phone buzzed, and I grinned. She only lived five minutes from me.
“Wait, Mason—what should I wear?”
A slow smirk moved across my face at the idea of seeing her in something sexy.
“Cocktail dress, and I’ll be in a suit.”
Her eyes widened. “A cocktail dress? For a housewarming party?”
I winked. “See you at seven, Ms. Night.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
* * *
Saylor
“WHAT AM I doing?” I asked myself as I stood in front of the mirror.
The black, mid-length dress hugged my curves beautifully. The neckline plunged just enough to show the slight swell of my cleavage but left something to the imagination. What really turned heads was the way the back of the dress dipped almost to my ass. I’d bought the dress for a Christmas party I was supposed to attend, but had never gotten to wear it thanks to Ron.
My mind drifted back to the day of the party.
• • •
Standing at my door, I stared at Ron. “Why are you here? I told you we’re over. There’s nothing left between us, so you need to let it go. I’m late for the company Christmas party. Please leave.”
He forced himself into my apartment. “I won’t let it go because you’re meant to be with me, Saylor. I won’t let you go. Ever.”
Ron had never physically hurt me, but when he’d started to become increasingly obsessed with everything I did, wore, and said, I knew things needed to end.
“If you don’t leave my place now, I’ll call the police.”
He shot me a smirk. “Give me one more fuck, Saylor. You’ll remember why we’re so good together.”
“Get out. Now.”
He moved closer to me, and I quickly turned and tripped over the new rug. I knew I was going to hit the coffee table the moment I let out a scream.
The pain radiating through my head was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Ron was by my side in an instant, helping me up.