Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
“No way,” Carina answered and laughed. This felt like a school cafeteria conversation.
“Of course not,” Elizabeth said and peeled off a pepperoni to eat.
“I’ve got a peanut butter sandwich. I didn’t make it to the grocery store this weekend,” Karla shared. “Too bad I didn’t meet a hottie there. We had so much fun, Elizabeth. You’ll have to come with me next time.”
“Tell me about the interior. Is it incredible?” Elizabeth asked.
As Karla and Carina described the nightclub, Carina noticed several tables had started eavesdropping. Before long, they were fielding questions from other people intrigued by Nightfall. The allure of the stark building’s exterior made passersby wonder about what waited inside, and the exclusivity of getting inside had skyrocketed the nightclub’s appeal. Everyone wanted a chance to see the interior.
Their meal break flew by. Kept busy answering questions, Carina hadn’t finished half of her lunch. She gathered the rest when she needed to head back to her cubicle and regretted not even having a chance to eat her cookie. Maybe she could munch on it in the middle of the afternoon as a pick-me-up.
A yawn threatened, and Carina squashed it quickly. A nap would be awesome. Too bad she couldn’t be Little every day. Pushing the thought of her Daddy tucking her under the covers in the beautiful crib out of her mind, Carina dived back into her tasks. She could sense the presence of other employees coming to talk to her but focused on her work. She’d found that people didn’t interrupt her if she wore her headphones and didn’t make eye contact.
A thump landed on her shoulder. She whirled defensively and yanked off her headset as she stared at Gloria. Carina tried not to hate anyone. Gloria was the person who tested Carina’s resolve most frequently.
“I heard you bragging in the lunchroom that you have an ‘in’ at Nightfall. I need to attend on Friday. Get me a pass or something so I can skip the line,” Gloria demanded.
If the request had come from literally anyone else, Carina would ask Marcus if there was some way to help her squeeze in. She wouldn’t bother him when Gloria demanded her help. “Sorry, Gloria. You’ll have to get in line early to make it in.”
“I’m not standing in a line for hours. You can’t get me in? Are you actually dating someone who works there, or did you invent a boyfriend? That would be so you.” Gloria rolled her eyes and shook her head in disgust.
“I didn’t….”
A deep voice interrupted her. “Hey, Carina. I’m sorry to interrupt.”
The two women turned to look at Marcus, who took up the entire path through that section of cubicles. He appeared more massive than usual inside the close quarters. “You left without your insulated drink this morning.” The large beverage container he held resembled a bathroom-sized Dixie cup in his hand.
“Thanks, Marcus,” Carina said, carefully avoiding calling him Daddy in front of Gloria.
“This is the guy you’re dating? You met him at Nightfall? I don’t believe for a minute that you’re a couple,” Gloria scoffed.
“Okay.” Marcus turned, cutting her out of their conversation with his sheer bulk. His answer and actions showed how much he cared about Gloria’s opinion. “Drink all of that, Carina. Will you be home about five thirty?”
“Yes,” Carina assured him. She held her breath as Marcus stepped forward to cup her jawline. He lowered his lips to hers in a soft, brief kiss. When he stepped back, she added, “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Marcus nodded and held her gaze. Silent conversation flowed between them as he told her he missed her and wished they didn’t have an audience. Their connection was already closer than she’d ever experienced with a boyfriend. They simply fit together perfectly.
“This is cute and all, but still totally unbelievable. You’ll never be able to get me in,” Gloria said and flounced away.
“A friend of yours?”
“Not in the least,” Carina said.
Then I’m glad I already uploaded her picture and banned her from Nightfall.
Carina gaped at him. “You’re kidding.”
He winked and told her, “See you soon, Carina.”
When his wide shoulders disappeared from view, Carina sank down to her chair. The image of Gloria standing in line for hours and then getting turned away caused her to laugh aloud for the second time that day. With a smile, she took a drink of the delicious smoothie he’d brought her. Marcus made everything better.
I’m going to stop by my apartment and pick up some clothes. Carina texted Marcus when the workday ended and she sat in her car once again.
Come home first, Little girl.
The command in his voice reverberated in her brain. She bristled slightly at being told what to do. The memory of the last time she didn’t follow his directions crashed into her mind. Carina scanned the parking lot, frightened by the thought that someone could be waiting to attack her again.