Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
I mock the words back to him as he stirs the grounds and liquid with a wooden spoon. “Apology, my ass.”
“Stop being a brat. Do you want French toast or omelets?”
I rub my hands together. “French toast, definitely.”
After a few minutes, he presses down the plunger, grabs two mugs, and pours us each a cup of coffee, once again doctoring mine to perfection, with just the right amount of cream and cinnamon.
I bring the mug to my nose and inhale deeply, groaning in delight as the scent reaches my nostrils. “Smells good,” I say before taking a sip. “Oh, holy shit,” I moan. “That is amazing.”
He smirks as he sets to work making an egg concoction with vanilla and cinnamon before grabbing a loaf of brioche bread from his pantry.
“What?” I ask, even though I already know damn well what. He wants to gloat about his superior coffee making skills.
“No, nothing.” He’s going for oblivious, but it’s not working.
“Ellis.”
“I’m not saying I told you so, but yeah, I fucking told you so.”
“You did. But I’m too lazy, so Nespresso it is for me.”
Before I know it, he's plated up a whole stack of fluffy, perfectly grilled French toast, complete with powdered sugar, fresh sliced strawberries, whipped cream, heated syrup and a side of crispy bacon.
“This is really good,” I say around a forkful of food. “Where’d you learn to cook like this?” It’s honestly annoying, because is there anything the man is bad at?
“My mama.” He cuts off a piece of his French toast and pops it in his mouth. “Now less talking, more eating. We’ve got shit to do.”
NINETEEN
SCARLET
After we clean up from breakfast, I repack my bags, and head for my house with Ellis following behind me. I don't know if it's because I'm worried he'll make fun of my driving or if it's because I know he used to be a cop. Either way, I'm hyper-focused with my hands at ten and two, my eyes never leaving the road.
The drive passes quickly, and by the time we make it to my place, I'm excited to see Fefe. It's not often that I spend the night away from her, and I know the little diva will be every bit as excited to see me.
Except when we get out of the car, Ellis stops me before I can go inside. “What's your deal?” I ask.
“I swear to god, you have the situational awareness of a blind koala.”
“Thanks, they’re super cute.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.” He pinches the bridge of his nose as he nods toward the front door. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure you locked it when we were on the phone last night.”
I follow his line of sight and gasp. “What the fuck.” My pastel pink door looks like it’s been kicked in. “Yeah, no, I definitely didn't leave it like that.” I shiver as an ice-cold ball of dread settles in my stomach.
“You need to let me go in first.”
“What? No way.” I try to push past him, but he grasps my shoulders, holding me in place.
“Do you even hear yourself?” he growls, sounding like an angry caveman. “Someone broke down your door. Sit your ass down and let me check it out first. I’m trying to protect you.”
“I... I don’t want to be alone.” My confession hangs between us, but his hard glare softens.
“Why don't you call Nora and ask her to have Atlas come over?”
I worry my lip between my teeth. “They'll know we lied.”
He nods once. “I think it's time we come clean.”
“Okay.” I swallow roughly.
Ellis backtracks to his truck, only to return with a gun. “Is that necessary?” I ask, a million different worries flitting through my brain. Obviously, he’s trained to use it, but still, I can’t help but fret.
“If whoever kicked in your door is still inside, you bet your sweet ass it's necessary.”
I flinch as goosebumps cover my entire body. “Right. That makes sense.”
He starts toward my house. “Ellis?” I call out to him.
“Yeah, Princess?”
I lick my lips. “Be careful.”
He tips his head my way. “Always.”
My heart pounds in my chest as I watch him walk inside. Once he's out of sight, I move to the far corner of the porch and dial Nora.
“Hey, girl,” she says, clearly surprised to hear from me.
Makes sense, seeing as I'm not big on phone talking. “Hey, um, do you think Atlas could come to my place?”
She hesitates. “I mean, I'm sure he could. Can I ask why?”
“Um, it's a really long story. Ellis is here.”
“Ellis is there.” Those three words hold a boulder’s worth of disbelief.
“Mmhmm.” I nod even though she can't see me. “Yep, he, uh, asked me to call you.” I rock back on my heels. “Um, things with my stalker are a lot more serious than I've let on. And it looks like someone kicked down my door last night. Ellis is inside, scoping it out, and told me to call you and ask Atlas to come over.”