Page 8 of Shattered Hope
A man like him had no needs unfulfilled, special or not.
“No, sir, you don’t look as if you have unfulfilled needs,” I whispered, my tone too shaky for my taste.
“I’m glad we cleared that up,” he snarled at her, straightening up. “Now, let’s get you out of here.”
He practically dragged me all the way to a small exit door and opened it. A gush of blizzard almost sent them to the floor, and by the time he was able to close the door, they were both covered in snow.
“Damn!” he cursed, wiping the snow out of his face.
Shuddering, I turned to him and tried one last time to convince him to let me stay.
“Please, sir… I know it’s none of your business, but I’ll die outside…”
“You’re right… it’s none of my business,” he grumbled. “But sending you out might be considered manslaughter.”
I waited in silence for him to finish talking, not wanting to jump to conclusions. He looked pissed, and for once, I was not going to fuel a man’s rage.
“Staying here won’t work either. I’ll have to explain the police why there’s a woman’s dead body in my parking lot,” he continued as he started walking towards the elevator, I had noticed near his parking space, dragging me after him. “So, I guess I’ll have to take your offer, won’t I?” he added, as punched a few numbers into a small electronic pad.
I was so shocked I could not utter a word as he pushed me inside of the elevator and then out of it when we reached the penthouse floor. He was taking me to his place.
The elevator door opened to an incredible living room with probably the best view of the city. I could see the Space Needle not far on my right, through the massive wall of glass. It was breathtaking and a bit scary. I had no business being here, and I turned around to leave, just to see the elevator doors closing on me. I’d need the code to open them.
“There’s a bathroom to your right. Use it,” he barked as he walked towards the other side of the apartment, giving me no chance to tell him; I wanted to leave.
Cursing my big mouth, I pondered what to do next. My coat’s dampness was reaching my other layers of clothes, and I was starting to feel cold. However, the idea of taking off my clothes in this place was a little less than terrifying.
I knew he wouldn’t attack me… he hadn't shown a glimpse of interest in me, but it was hard not to be afraid of a potentially dangerous situation… not after everything I had gone through with Daniel. He loved to use my vulnerability against me, so I had learned to hide it as much as I could.
Trapped in an impossible situation, I just stood there by the door and waited for him to come back. I preferred facing the storm raging outside to staying here with this man. I was sure he would be happy to see me leave as well, so I just waited.
He wasn’t away for more than a few minutes. When he came back, he had changed into a pair of worn blue jeans and a black long sleeve t-shirt, which revealed the muscled body that had been hidden under the suit and overcoat he had been wearing. The man was breathtaking… the kind that makes your heart stop for a moment and leaves a long-lasting impression in your mind and probably co-stars all your wet dreams.
It reminded me of Dorian Gray… the most perfect man on earth.
He frowned when he saw me still where he had left me. “Didn’t you find the bathroom?” he asked me as he walked to a small bar in the corner of the room.
“I didn’t look for it,” I confessed, wriggling my hands nervously. “I was just waiting for you to come back and open the door for me. I believe it’s better if I leave,” I added, in the firmest tone I managed to conjure.
“You wouldn’t get very far in this storm. The streets are empty, and no cab will pick you up in these conditions,” he stated, in a cold tone as he poured himself a drink.
“I’ll take my chances,” I insisted.
He let out a burst of scornful laughter as he crossed the room to meet me. “What happened with the little vixen that offered to satisfy all my unfulfilled needs? Why are you chickening out at this point? You’ve got what you wanted,” he said, cocking his eyebrow.
“That was a mistake, and I believe we’ve established that,” I managed to say, struggling not to step back as he came closer and closer to me.
“Have we? Let me ask you a question. Who are you, and what the hell were you doing sneaking into my building garage?” he asked, and this time his tone was stern and somehow dangerous.
“I already told you… I was trying to find a place to spend the night,” I said with a slight frown.
“You, my dear, look nothing like a homeless person,” he said, as he stopped in front of me, merely inches away, so close I could smell the soap he had used in the shower. “Your clothes are clean, and your luscious hair still smells of shampoo, so why don’t you tell me the truth?”
“I’m telling you the truth. I arrived at Seattle a few days ago, but these storms have prevented me from finding a job, and I ran out of money,” I explained my situation as plainly as I could, not trying to inspire compassion. I was starting to doubt he understood the concept. I wanted him to let go. “I’m sure I’m not the only person going through the same situation.”
“Probably… but you see, I don’t believe in coincidences. And you being at my door, just when I was entering smells fishy,” he insisted.
“Why would I be interested in you? I don’t even know who you are,” I assured him.
