Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 22608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
"Is there not?"
My mouth opens and closes.
Is he implying—-
"No," I say right away.
"No, what?"
"It's not what you think," I deny.
"But I haven't said anything," he points out.
"I know what you're doing," I warn, "and I'm telling you it won't work. You want me to think they both planned this—-"
"You truly cannot picture them doing so?"
Honestly?
His gaze narrows. "You think it's just her?"
"I didn't say anything!"
"But you were thinking it."
"I just...I know Jamieson isn't perfect—-"
"An understatement of the year," Mr. Special Ops drawls.
I don't bother defending Jamieson this time.
It's obvious he's already made up his mind against Jamieson, and...I get it, really.
But...it's different for me, and I wish he'd see this, too.
I grew up with Jamieson.
I've known him for years.
And I've seen the side of him that no one else sees.
When people look at Jamieson, all they see is the swag.
The party-boy image he's cultivated for the reality TV show he's been a part of since his college years.
They see him without really knowing him, whereas I...
When I look at Jamieson, I still see the teenage boy who secretly funded the retirement party of his old football coach.
I still see the guy who never misses a call from his grandpa, no matter where he is or what he's doing.
And even though it's been years since I last saw the boy I first fell in love with—-
"He's not evil," I hear myself say.
I can't bear to think that Jamieson is beyond redemption.
"No," Mr. Special Ops stuns me by agreeing. "He's not evil. But the past you share with him has blinded you."
"He can still change back—-"
"Yes, Alysse."
The way he says my name doesn't feel right.
"He can change," he acknowledges. "So why hasn't he?"
Chapter Four
"YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOUR name."
"You never asked for it."
I nearly trip over my own feet at his words.
He asked me earlier to change back into my clothes, and I did.
He told me to come with him if I wanted the truth, and I did.
He's been high-handed from the start, and now this?
"You could've just told me."
"Perhaps I wanted you to care enough to ask."
This time, I do trip over my own feet in my shock, but Mr. Special Ops cups my elbow in time and pulls me back like a natural-born knight in camouflage.
And who says he isn't, really?
I've already lost count of the number of impossible things that have happened, and I still haven't had breakfast.
When it rains, it pours, and today is obviously one of those days that things will get crazier by the minute.
"Are you alright?"
I'm tempted to be mean.
Because there's just something about this man that tempts me to not be nice like I always am.
To yell and say, no!
I'm obviously not okay!
I woke up in bed with a stranger!
My boyfriend thinks I'm a whore!
And his PA apparently has the hots for him!
How can I be okay?
But when I look at him, and I unexpectedly catch a glimpse of the concern in his eyes—-
Poof!
There goes my unreasonable anger, and instead I hear myself mutter jerkily, "I'm asking for it now."
"Then it is yours."
He cups my chin and makes me look into his eyes as he says this, and I suddenly feel like I've been manipulated into asking for something far more valuable.
"I am your Zahir now."
I knew it.
"Um—-"
He suddenly places a finger on my lips, and I freeze.
"We are here."
We are?
The door behind Zahir is Room 921, and...and...oh my God.
"How did you get that?"
I think I'm freaking out again.
"I'm sure you don't really want to know."
Because I finally remember that Room 921 is Jamieson's room.
"Now, come."
He takes my hand and tugs me inside.
"This isn't—-!"
I hold on to the door jamb with all my might—-
"You told me you wanted the truth."
"Not like this!"
But he's much too strong like usual, and the next thing I know, Zahir has kicked the door shut and he's carrying me bodily into Jamieson's room.
"This is a crime," I hiss under my breath.
"Only if we get caught."
"That's even worse!"
"But we will not get caught," he soothes, "so there is nothing for you—-"
He suddenly pauses.
And I'm all for it because...
Are those voices outside I'm hearing?
"I can't thank you enough, Becs."
"I'm here for you, always."
"Perfect timing," Zahir murmurs.
All I can do is look at him.
Is he insane?
How can this be perfect timing when we're about to get—-
Zahir opens the closet doors just as we hear the door to Jamieson's room unlock.
"After you, habibti."
He pushes me inside the closet, follows right behind me, and closes the doors a second before Jamieson and Rebecca walk into view.
I can't believe this is happening.
Maybe this really is a dream.
Or I really did end up in Wonderland.
Because I've just noticed the way Rebecca has led Jamieson by the hand to sit on the bed, and she's now rubbing her breasts against his back while massaging his shoulders.
"That feels good."