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)
“It’s going to be all right,” he said.
“I know you mean well, thank you, but I don’t know how this is going to get better,” she said.
“He won’t harm you, I promise.”
She laughed, but it wasn’t even a good sound. “Honestly, it’s not even about him.” She took a deep breath, and then spun around, pausing for a second, because Evander was so close. She was used to seeing men lusting after women, always wanting to break the boundaries at work. This was different. Evander wasn’t leering at her, or making rude suggestions, or even propositioning her to go upstairs.
In all her life, she had never had this reaction to a man, and it took her completely by surprise. At first, she didn’t know what to think, and then she felt this answering pulse within her body. The heaviness in her breasts, the slickness gathering between her thighs.
She pushed those thoughts and feelings aside, and focused on the now. She could not be lusting after this man. He’d helped her. Besides, he didn’t need a woman like her. He must be used to women in his own circles.
“What’s it about?” he asked.
Callie didn’t even know if he genuinely cared or not. It was nice to have someone talking to her for a change. She licked her suddenly dry lips. “I just realized I’ve fallen into a routine I never wanted to be in. I came to the big city to search for a dream. I don’t even know what that dream is anymore, but all I do is work and try to survive.” She let out a little chuckle, but it just sounded defeated. “I’m aware that’s all anyone does, but I don’t know, I think I expected to do more with my life. I wanted to make a difference, to help unwanted animals, anything.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to unload on you.”
“That’s not unloading. You’re talking.” He reached out and stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles.
She loved his touch.
“I don’t suppose you know how I can … you know, get this?” she asked, pointing to his place. It was a joke, not quite, but she could make it a joke. There was no way she was ever going to be able to afford something like this.
“Stay with me,” he said.
Chapter Four
Evander certainly wasn’t joking.
He wanted to make all Callie’s dreams come true. To erase her past, the pain, and the regrets. God, the girl was only twenty-one and had her whole life ahead of her. She shouldn’t be so eager to throw in the towel already. If she wanted to help dogs, he’d be the first in line to help her get started.
“Is there no Mrs. Evander?”
He liked that she was asking about his love life. It meant she was thinking of him as more than a guardian angel. At least he hoped.
“No. If there was, you wouldn’t be here.”
She took pause for a moment. “Interesting. Does that mean you’re a faithful man? They seem a rarity. Especially at Guy’s Titties.”
“You could bet your life on it.”
He stared at her, daring her to question his answer. Evander only had eyes for Callie, her and her alone. There was nothing in common between him and the lowlifes who frequented the strip club where she used to work.
“I’m surprised you’re not married, or at least taken. I mean, your home is breathtaking and you seem to have a lot to offer,” she said.
“I’m not looking for a gold-digger.”
She gasped, a barely audible sound. “I’m not trying—”
He shook his head. “I’m most certainly not talking about you, Callie. As far as I’m concerned, everything I have is already yours.”
“What? I don’t know what’s happening here. You don’t know me. Am I missing something?”
“You’re suspicious.”
“Well, look at you and look at me.”
“Okay,” he said. “What’s your point?”
She scoffed. “Besides the fact that I’m broke, well, I don’t exactly have men clamoring at my door for dates. And you—”
He stopped her from continuing, waving a finger in warning. No way was he going to allow her to tear herself apart. Although he was grateful she was single, she already had him wrapped around her finger.
“You said I didn’t look like I belonged where you worked.”
“You don’t.”
“Because I would never choose to visit a place like that. I don’t drink shit beer or enjoy watching naked women sell themselves for dollar bills. I was only there because of you. From the first day I saw you, I was hooked. I can’t explain it, but I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”
“Me?”
He smiled. “You.”
“That’s hard to believe. Well, what were you doing there in the first place, then?” she asked.
“It was a quick business meeting. Not my choice. I never would have returned if it weren’t for you.”