Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Suddenly, a thought comes back to me. “Wait. Have they been following me? This wasn’t the first time, was it?”
He leans back in his seat and stares at me. “No, from the first day I met you, I had someone following you outside of work.”
My mouth falls open. How did I not realize someone was following me all this time? But I know the answer. Jack made me feel safe. Even when he was in prison and I was in my home, I felt safe. Now that I thought he was out of my life, I finally started paying attention to my surroundings. “I need to learn self-defense,” I blurt out.
He sits up a little taller. “Why? Did something happen today?”
I look away from him because I don’t want to tell him about the guy after the counseling session. “Nothing I can’t handle, but I’m realizing that maybe I need to be more aware of my surroundings and I need to be able to take care of myself.”
Jack nods. “I’ll teach you.”
I point at him. “You’ll teach me?”
He nods assertively. “Who else would teach you?” He juts his thumb in his chest and claims, “I’ll do it so I’ll know you can protect yourself.”
I nod and look up and down the street. There are people passing by, and I see the looks from them. I know they’re curious, and I’m sure they’re wondering why Jack would be sitting with me. I still have my work clothes on, and I look even more prim and proper sitting next to him. I’m not sure what Jack sees in me, but he’s obviously attracted to me. Why else would he have me followed?
“So…” I start, unsure how to start. I hesitate and then pull my shoulders back. I might as well ask him or I might never know. “Why are you following me, Jack?”
He shrugs. “I told you I would see you soon.”
I nod. “Yeah, you did. But… what is happening? Between us, I mean?”
He blows out a breath and looks like he’s about to say something he doesn’t want to say. “Nothing can come of us, Emily.”
I turn in my seat and look at him pointedly. “Nothing?”
He’s staring at my lips, and I’m wondering if he’s thinking about that kiss we shared. It was good. Heck, it was everything, but I do wish we had more time. It was over too quickly, and I would love to know what it’s like to kiss him when we can take our time.
He must see the desire on my face. He doesn’t want to let me down, so he does it easily. “Nothing, honey. I don’t fit in your world.”
I jut my chin at him defiantly. “Since when do you care what people think about you?”
He chuckles softly. “Honey, I don’t give a fuck what people think about me, but I’m not going to ruin your name.” He points to where we’re sitting. “I mean, look at us right now. Everyone that walks by is looking at us like they’re trying to figure out if they need to save you or not.”
I lean toward him and touch him for the first time since he sat down. “I don’t need saving from you, Jack.”
I had hoped he would reach for me or lean toward me or something, but he does none of those things. He sits, holding himself tightly. I pull my hand away and stand up. “I’m going home now, so you’re off duty tonight.”
He stands up, towering over me, and just smirks.
“Are you going to follow me home?”
He nods.
I want to scream in frustration. I want to beg him to kiss me, right here and now, but I don’t do it. My hands fist at my sides, and I walk away from Jack toward my car. I drive across town, and I can’t help myself. I keep looking in the rearview mirror to see if Jack is behind me.
As I’m driving, I try to tell myself that Jack is right. Nothing can come of us. We are too different. And he only mentioned my world, but I’m sure he’s thinking about his own, too. There’s no way he’s going to want me in his world. But as I pull into the driveway, I know I’m not going to be able to stay away from him. No matter how much he thinks I should.
CHAPTER 7
FELON
I follow behind Emily, and it’s like I’m having an internal battle with myself. It took everything inside me to keep my hands off her. When I get to her house, I know I’ll sit outside, wondering what she’s doing inside. This won’t be the first time that she’s consumed my every thought, but this will be the first time since I’m no longer behind bars.
I park at the curb on the road and watch as Emily parks her car and gets out. I grip the handlebars even harder as she walks up her sidewalk. I almost call out her name, but before I do, she stops and turns toward me. Even from here, I can see the indecision on her face. I get off my bike and stand next to it as she walks down her driveway toward me.