Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
God. I need that rocky road ice cream. Bad.
CHAPTER FOUR
GABRIEL
If there’s one thing I do better than anyone, it’s fixating on a goal. And right now, my entire existence is orbiting Alice Stone.
Every morning, I wake up five minutes before my alarm, already thinking about her—what she’ll be wearing, how her hair will look, whether she’ll smell like roses again, or if she’ll change it up. I time my shower to a science. I dress in my usual suit while anticipating the moment I see her again. I have Armand text me the second her door opens so I can step into the elevator at precisely the right moment.
Some people might call it stalking. Those people can go fuck themselves.
She’s gotten used to finding me already in the elevator, but she still pretends it’s a coincidence each time the elevator door opens with me standing inside. My girl adapts quickly. I like that about her.
She’s always busy multitasking, distracted by something on her phone or juggling three things in her hands like a pro. The second she steps into the elevator next to me, every muscle in her body locks up, and I can practically hear her heart slamming against her ribs.
I stand just a little too close. Not enough to be inappropriate, but enough to let her know I’m there, that I see her, that I want her. Every day, she flushes a little deeper. Every day, she holds my gaze a second longer. Usually, the elevator stops at several floors on the way down to the lobby, and I actually appreciate having a little more time with Alice.
Today, she’s wearing a navy suit, the kind that would look severe on most women but just makes her look more beautiful. Her blonde hair is up in a high bun, but one piece always escapes and curls around her cheekbone, and I barely resist the urge brush it back behind her ear.
“Morning, Mr. Mercer,” she says, eyes glued to the glowing numbers above the door. Fuck. I want to hear her call me “Mr. Mercer” as I pound into her tight pussy from behind.
I button my jacket closed to hide my rock-hard cock and smile. “Morning, Ms. Stone.”
We ride in silence for three floors. I imagine pinning her to the wall, devouring her mouth until she begs me for more, but I settle for watching her try not to fidget.
She finally glances up and catches me staring. I don’t bother to look away. Her cheeks flare pink, but her mouth curves into the tiniest smile before she remembers herself and clamps it down. Mrs. Winters steps onto the elevator and gives us each a smile. “Good morning, Alice.” The building gossip turns to me. “And Gabe.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Winters,” I return.
Mrs. Winters beams, and for a second, her perfume nearly drowns out Alice’s. I grit my teeth and force a polite smile, but all I can think about is the way Alice sucks in a breath when my arm brushes her shoulder. Jesus. She’s so fucking cute, every twitch and flush another bullet to my self-control.
The elevator finally stops at the lobby, and the doors slide open. Alice bolts, and I follow, eating up the distance, then cut ahead and stop her at the main door. She halts, face tilted up at me, a mix of panic and curiosity sparking in her blue eyes.
“How do you get to work?” I ask, voice low, crowding her into the space between the marble wall and the glass entry door. I step closer, forcing her to tilt her chin up to meet my eyes. Damn, she’s cute when she’s flustered. I’m so fucking far gone for her it isn’t even funny.
She nibbles on her bottom lip. “Um, I walk,” she mumbles, voice pitching high. “It’s only, like, four blocks. I usually get there in less than fifteen minutes.”
“Not anymore.” I let it hang in the air, loving the way her breath hitches. “From now on, you’re riding with me.”
She blinks so fast for a moment, then shakes her head. “That really isn’t necessary,” she blurts, glancing around. “I’m fine with walking, honestly. It gives me time to mentally prepare myself for the day ahead.” She swallows. I fucking love the way she tries to decide if this is a good idea or not.
“Mentally prepare all you want, but you’re riding with me.” I lock her in with my stare, watching her pupils flare, and that pretty pink tongue dart out to wet her lips. “I’m going to the same place as you. It doesn’t make any sense for you to walk when you can ride with me. End of story.”
She huffs a laugh like she’s trying to play it cool, but her hands clutch her phone so tightly her knuckles go white. “Do you give all your employees who live here rides to work?”