Series: Unhealthy Obsessions Series by Sam Crescent
Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
That hard-won patience wasn’t helping him out right now. In fact, it felt more like it was hindering him.
“You have a beautiful home,” Callie said.
He also noticed in the few minutes they had stepped foot into his private country home, she hadn’t touched a single thing, and it seemed like she actually cradled herself with her arms. He imagined if she could, she’d gladly not walk on his floors.
“Thank you,” he said.
He put the security code in place, and then turned back toward her. “How about we get you settled in, and then I’ll give you a tour?”
She opened her mouth, about to respond, when her stomach growled.
“Or I could feed you,” he said.
“No, I’m okay, but a tour sounds good.”
He took a step closer, her eyes went slightly wide, and she seemed to tense up. Evander knew fear when he saw it. Only now he wasn’t trying to inspire it, quite the opposite.
“Please don’t be afraid to tell me what you want. I can’t help you unless you’re open and honest with me.”
She offered him a smile and nibbled her lip. “I guess I’m hungry but I can wait. Honestly, it’s not the first time I’ve gone without food. It’s not a big deal.”
Evander shook his head. “Not happening.”
He reached for her arm and started to lead her to the kitchen. Before letting her go, he helped her into one of the chairs at the counter. He didn’t want to stop touching her, wanted her to feel safe, but he also didn’t want to alarm her.
“Are you okay? You seem preoccupied.”
She shrugged. Her stomach growled again, making her go a deeper shade of red.
“Please don’t be embarrassed. Let me see what food I’ve got around here.”
He walked over to the fridge, which wasn’t fully stocked. Living alone, he often bought his food before coming home. Takeout from his favorite restaurants was easier than cooking. Although, from time to time he fended for himself and put the kitchen to use. “What are you in the mood for?”
“It doesn’t matter. Really.”
He wished he could delve into her mind, find out every dream and desire. In the short time he’d come to know her, he realized she didn’t like to cause trouble or make waves. She didn’t want to be a burden. His guest didn’t realize it yet, but she was never going to be a burden to him.
He pulled out a couple of pieces of chicken, some barbecue sauce, and then got to work.
“You’re not allergic to anything, right?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not that I’m aware of.”
“Good.”
He set up the grill and scored the top of the chicken, then went to the cupboard behind him to grab one of his favorite spice blends that had chipotle.
“You don’t mind things a little spicy, do you?”
“Not at all. And I’m not picky.” She offered him a smile. “I had no idea you could cook too.”
There were a lot of things she didn’t know. He knew how to kill a man and make it look like a suicide, and he could make people disappear without a trace. It was a gift he had—one he didn’t intend to ever let her know about. He didn’t want to scare her. Didn’t want her to think less of him.
“Did your mom teach you?” she asked.
“Nah, I don’t know much about my parents.” He did know who they were, but they were long dead. Two drug users who’d put him into care before he was even a month old. They died before he left the care system, from drug overdoses. Unlike some people, he had never cared about being left in the care home. When he was younger, he had several counselors and physiatrists try to label him, some even wanted to admit him. A couple had said he was a man without a soul.
Either way, it had made him one of the best hunters in the world today. If people needed a job done, and to make sure it was cleaned up, they came to him. That’s what he did. Death didn’t bother him. He was numb to the core. Watching the life drain out of someone didn’t cause him to lose sleep at night. It probably helped that the people he killed weren’t worth the air they breathed. Their deaths made the world a better place.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t.” He winked at her and she smiled.
He loved that smile. Even though she hesitated around him, he couldn’t help but feel his heart race when she did look at him. It made him want to do so many different things to her, to have her naked beneath him as he explored her body, showing her how good it could be between them. He’d make her beg, then give her everything she wanted.