Page 44 of Secrets & Lies

“Now, I’ll let you go if you promise me you won’t wear both earbuds while walking.” I placed one last kiss near her earlobe.

“Fine, I promise. Now, can you please stop? I know this doesn’t mean anything to you, but I have to live in this town. I go to church with these people and work with them. I don’t want them thinking that…” She trailed off.

“What? That you are fornicating with a man? This isn’t the dark ages. I promise you this: agree to one night with me, and you won’t give a damn what these people say.”

My dick throbbed at the thought. Just one night. Oh, the things I wanted to do to her.

“You really are an ass, aren’t you?” She pushed me away, the spell she was under clearly broken. “I’m pretty sure I’ve been quite clear with you, Aleksandr King, so let me say it another way. I don’t want to fuck you.”

“Careful now, I wouldn’t want someone to hear you using such foul language,” I teased.

“I give up. You’re certifiable. There’s no reasoning with you,” she exclaimed and walked into the restaurant.

“You’re not wrong there,” I mumbled under my breath as the door closed.

Chapter 18

Kinsley

Get A Hobby

Work was busy, but my mind wouldn’t let go of the exchange between Alek and me. I couldn’t believe the nerve of him. Telling me what to do and then suggesting I spend one night with him. Could I? Did I want to?

Each moment I spent in his presence, I found myself secretly loving it. And don’t get me started on how his lips felt sucking on my neck. I thought the nuzzling turned me on. But damn if I didn’t feel slightly disappointed when I looked in the mirror and didn’t see a mark.

Then there was something sweet about the worry lines on his forehead this afternoon when he instructed me to be aware of my surroundings. He was right, too. If Owen knew I wasn’t being careful, he’d be so disappointed.

But Owen wasn’t here anymore, and that thought only brought tears to my eyes. I was so lonely without him. I wasn’t built to be alone; it was my greatest weakness.

When we were kept, the isolation nearly destroyed me. I had learned how to compartmentalize the physical abuse I endured by shutting that part of my brain down. But at night, when I was alone in my room, I craved a friend. I was too afraid to play with the dolls in my room in any significant way for fear they’d be taken away from me as punishment.

Hence another reason my bears were so important to me. I shared with them my innermost fears and dreams. Now they knew all about Alek and how much he confused me. They were my only loyal companions, my secret keepers. I had so much to tell them tonight when I got home.

“Kinsley, you ready to go?” Brian called my name, bringing me out of my fog.

“Oh, yes. Sorry, yeah I’m ready.” We’d closed together tonight.

As soon as we stepped outside, I spotted the car. It stood out, as there weren’t any other cars around, and the windows were tinted black. My nerves kicked up a few notches until the driver rolled down the window. It was the man who worked for Alek—the one who helped me get Sarah to the Uber.

“Wonder who that is?” Brian asked.

“No clue,” I lied, walking in the opposite direction of the car and Brian.

“I’m this way. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I waved at him.

“Want me to walk you? I don’t mind, honestly. You shouldn’t be out this late alone anyway,” Brian said, giving the car a suspicious look.

“Thank you, but it isn’t necessary. I’ll be fine.” I dug out my earbuds, grinning. I put them both in, started my playlist, and began the short walk home.

If Aleksandr was going to hire someone to follow me home, I might as well enjoy my music. It was confirmed when the car turned around and followed closely behind me. I wondered if Alek was inside.Creeper. I stopped, and the car stopped as well. I stood with my hands on my hips, staring. The driver leaned out the window.

“Need some help, Ms. Taylor?” he asked.

“Me, need help from your boss? Never. Tell me something, though. Does your boss’s father also provide immunity to you? What’s your name, by the way? I’d like to add it to the complaint I plan to file tomorrow.”

He laughed and said, “It’s Marcus.” He punched a button on his dashboard. “Hey, chief. Ms. Taylor would like you to know that I’m following her home. Yes, I’ll let her know.” He punched a button again.

“The chief said to let you know he is looking forward to meeting you at the gala.”

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