Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20977 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20977 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“Why? I’m not going to do anything to you. You’re a kid. Besides, I’d feel better knowing that you were somewhere safe. It’s already fucked up that you were out here in the middle of the night where any sick fuck could have snatched you right up. There are traffickers all around the city.” That thought angers me even more now that I’ve seen the sweet Greta.
“I know. I was scared. It’s a one-time thing anyway. My parents come back in two days and can drive me to and from work.”
“That’s fine, but you have to be more cautious. Next time you need a ride, call Emily sooner. She can have me or my parents scoop you up.”
“Emily and I just met two weeks ago. I’m shocked she did this for me. She’s the only friend I have around here.”
“Why the hell is that?” Who wouldn’t want to be friends with this sweet little thing? I bet all the guys noticed her.
She smiles at me, which causes my heartbeat to quicken. “I’ve just moved here from Gary, Indiana. I only started working here today. I had no idea I’d get stuck. I thought at least the buses ran later.”
“That’s okay. So tell me, are you a junior too?” Damn it. She couldn’t have been a senior?
“Yes. Although it’s been pretty pointless since I’ve only been at school for a month, and I’m coming in mid-lesson. Luckily, I’ll still have all the transfer credits I need.”
“That is lucky. Couldn’t your parents wait a month to move?” We’re at a red light, and the streetlight illuminates her face allowing me to catch another glimpse of her beauty. Her cheeks are pink, and I wonder if she’s cold. “Are you cold? Hungry?”
“You ask a lot of questions.”
She’s got me there. Although, I do have to say I want to know all I can about her. “I want to be a detective one day, so I guess it’s right up my alley. So? Are you?”
“Am I what?”
“Cold? Hungry?”
“Yes to both.” I turn on the heat a little higher on her side and hit the button for the heated seats.
“Okay. It’s late, but there’s a drive-thru we could hit up.”
“I don’t have any money.”
I reach over and stop her frantic hands from twisting on her hair. “Relax, Greta. I didn’t ask if you did.”
“Sorry. It’s just….”
“Nothing to worry about.” We drive in silence until it’s time to order. Greta picks the same cheeseburger meal I do, and then we get our order. It’s another five minutes to my apartment. She’s anxious but doesn’t argue about coming along, which is fine by me. I park in my spot and then lead her to the elevators. My apartment is the penthouse suite, but it’s not too extravagant. What can I say? My mother is really hard to turn down. I’ve lived here since my second year in college. Funny, for the first time, this place feels like home. I take her wet coat and hang it over on the rack where I keep a mat just in case.
“This is a very nice place. I can’t thank you enough.” Her teeth chatter again.
“Shit. You’ve got to be freezing. I can see what I have that can fit you.” I’m out of my bedroom a minute later with a pair of shorts. They were two sizes too small for me five years ago that I’ve never managed to throw away because they were my high school basketball shorts when we won the state championship. I gave her my Bulls tee that my mom bought me for Christmas even though she knows I’m a Celtics fan. It’s an ongoing joke in our house because my mom’s a Bulls fan, and my dad’s a Celtics guy.
“You like the Bulls?”
“No. It’s a long story?”
“An ex-girlfriend gift?”
“No. My mom gave it to me.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll go change really fast.” She pauses mid step and spins around. “Um…where can I change at?”
“Oh, this way.” I lead her to the bathroom and walk away.
I’ve set up our food at my kitchen table because the sofa’s a little too relaxed and intimate. “I’m in here,” I call out when I hear Greta’s footsteps.
She comes in looking gorgeous in my clothes. Fuck me, she’s not wearing a bra. My dick practically bangs against the underside of the table at the sight. “Oh, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I stay seated and eat, doing my best to avoid looking at the beauty, so this asshole will calm down. She’s too young. I chant in my head as I muscle down every bite. What makes matters worse is that she hasn’t taken her eyes off me.
“I’m exhausted.”
“If you’re done, toss in the bag and I’ll throw it in the garbage.”
“Again. Thank you for everything.”
“Let me show you where you can sleep.” I stand, taking the bag and dumping it in the trash. I can’t eat another bite either. “Follow me.” I take her to the guest bedrooms my sisters use when they spend the night. It’s rare, but they do. “Get some sleep and I’ll drop you off in the morning so you can get ready for school.”