Page 34 of Texting Mr. Stranger

Truthfully, I was shocked. I didn’t know how to react. Honestly, part of me enjoyed somebody standing up for me for once. People have called me stuff like that so many times. I guess I resigned myself to it, but when you made that asshole bleed, it was like a relief.

I pause, rereading my words, wondering if he’s going to think there’s something wrong with me. Maybe I don’t have to worry about that anymore. Maybe there’s something wrong with us both. I clicksend.

That’s the last thing I expected you to say,his reply reads, making me wonder if I’ve revealed too much of my real feelings.From how you looked at me, I thought you would say you were disgusted. These days, people are sickened by violence. We live so distantly from it. Most people are disconnected entirely from even the idea of it. To act violently, to them, in any context, is unacceptable.

Well, maybe I’m just cynical,I type, knowing sleep will be a long way off now. There’s no chance of it. Adrenaline pumps through my body as I replay what happened.

You’re too young to be cynical.

I’m not THAT young.His labeling me this way pisses me off for some reason.Twenty isn’t young, not when you’ve spent your whole life living on the edge, not when you’ve had to rise to the occasion and do what’s right by your own parent.

I shift in the blankets, feeling them cloy at me. The idea that he sees me as some naïve, younger, oh-so-innocent woman is just unacceptable.

Still, it’s a rare perspective for somebody your age.

You’ve seen my neighborhood. You’ve seen the graffiti and heard the music blasting. You’ve probably even seen people dealing drugs. Or you will if you keep coming. Sometimes, a local wannabe hero will challenge one of the local tough guys. When these local tough guys beat the hell out of them, what happens? Nothing. Red tape. Police interviews that go nowhere. Or, if they are arrested, they get a slap on the wrist. THAT’S why I can’t be sad about what you did.

But you looked disgusted,he presses.

It’s almost like you want me to be disgusted,I reply.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

MATTEO

Istare at her message:It’s almost like you want me to be disgusted. I can’t help but smirk as I lean against the railing of the club’s roof. From below me, music pumps, almost like it’s beckoning me to go down there and find some starstruck woman and spend the night with her. Yet it simply doesn’t appeal to me.

Dammit, Bella’s right. Itwouldmake it easier if she was disgusted. Even Elio admitted that me and Bella are impossible. If I thought I could just fuck her and toss her aside, maybe then I’d give in, but I can’t. I know that somehow. She’s too interesting. Too gifted. Too beautiful.

Why aren’t you asleep, anyway?I text, changing the subject big time.

I can’t, not after what happened.

Are you going to sleep tonight?

Not sure. Maybe not … Why?

I grit my teeth, almost hearing her say the wordwhyin her soft, tempting voice. There are so many other things I can imagine her saying, too. I can hear the breathiness of her voice whispering through my mind, through my … Jesus Christ, my what? My soul?

Trying not to overthink, I type,If we’re both night owls, maybe the phrase “birds of a feather flock together” applies to us …

It’s way too late for riddles, Matt.

I smirk again. Even with the Gallos crap, smiling with Bella feels easy.I could be at your apartment in thirty minutes. We could go for a drive.

That’s the most I can offer. I can’t offer an actual date—our enemies might see us together—or a future that would endanger her. I can give this much, at least, for whatever it’s worth.

I’m fully prepared for her to tell me no. She could easily say all this just because she wants to keep me as a client, despite what she said about earning her own money. Or maybe even if she says yes, she’ll only do it because she thinks she has to.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Despite my doubts, another smile spreads across my face. There’s something sassy and appealing as hell, as if I can hear her tone of voice in the text. I can see her in bed, maybe with her knees tucked to her chin, emphasizing the thickness of her thighs, tempting me to kiss her horny-as-fuck sex.

Relax. Dammit, I need to. I’ve got no idea if she’d get steamy for me or if her pussy would get wet and warm and ready.

I’m on my way,I text.

The city is quiet and dark, making me feel right at home. I drive to her apartment building, the first time I’ve been here without Sofia. When I’m outside, I text Bella, letting her know I’m here.

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