Page 28 of Drawn to You
I go around on the block a few times and finally get a spot across the street to the building when someone leaves.
The landlady, an Asian woman, seems to be nice, though. She’s all smiles when she sees me. But when I tell her I’ll live here alone, she looks a bit worried. “All by yourself?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Is it not… safe?”
“Oh, that’s not what I mean,” she says in a hurry. “It’s very safe here. We’ve got security cameras on all floors. I’m just wondering, can you afford it? Do you have roommates to split the rent with you? We don’t allow sub-renting, you know?”
“I see.” That makes sense. The rent is a thousand per month. I probably look like a poor student. “Don’t worry. I have a full-time job,” I tell her. “I’m not a student anymore.”
“Oh, good!” she nods.
The furnished room on the second floor is quite large, and the hardwood isn’t bad, although not new. The landlady, whose name is Kim, says it’s been recently waxed. The best thing about the place is the plenty of windows, making the room well-lit and airy. I can’t say I enjoy the street view, but it’s better than nothing. The numerous windows are responsible for the noises coming from outside, though, and that’s the major shortcoming. I miss Andrew’s quiet house already. This place won’t work, I tell myself. I should keep looking. But that means I’ll have to keep living with Andrew, and the longer I do that, the harder it will be for me to move out. The image of him kissing Melissa at the hotel is like a sharp blade that runs through my heart.
“Where’s the parking?” I ask the landlady.
“It’s on the back of the building,” she says. “It costs extra fifty dollars a month.”
I gasp. I didn’t expect that. “No discounts?”
She shakes her head. “No, honey. Sorry. This is a reasonable price. You can compare it with other places if you wish.”
I’ve already done that. It’s why I’m here. Thinking Darrell is in the same building sets my mind at ease, though. So I say to the woman, “I’ll take it.”
Her mouth falls somewhat as if she’s taken by surprise, but soon she grins. “Wonderful. I need a security deposit, though.”
“You’ve got it,” I say, pulling out my checkbook from my purse.
The traffic to the gym is slow, and by the time I arrived at the parking garage, it’s ten past ten. Damn. It’s the first time I’m ever late. Andrew won’t like it. But I don’t care.
Chapter 12
Andrew
I’m sitting in front of my computer, trying to examine the profit analysis of last month, but my mind is somewhere else. In fact, it has been stuck on one spot since last night. Brittney. She’ll be the death of me.
I’m pretty sure I made a mistaking sleeping with her, although it’s been the best sex I’ve had for years. The fact surprises me. I didn’t expect the inexperienced little girl to have such an effect on me. I lost my control last night because of jealousy, but what I did later felt different from what I usually did to other women. I did not fuck Britt. I made love to her. And hell, I had an intense need to possess her.
When I cuddled her in my arms afterward, I wished the night would never end, and I would have her in my arms forever. She just felt she belonged to me. Damn. The feeling scared the hell out of me, and I had to get out of her bed so I wouldn’t go insane. I went out to the living room and fixed myself a drink, and then I returned to my bedroom. I need the time to sort things out first. I’m not ready to commit to anyone yet, and I don’t want to give Brittney false hope.
I acted cool when I saw her again in the morning, as if I hadn’t spent half of the night missing her in my arms and as if I hadn’t jerked my morning wood off with her warm paradise in mind. I drove to work feeling fine, and I even dropped off at the coffee shop and flirted with Stephanie against my promise to Britt.
But as the minutes tick by, and the green eyes wouldn’t leave my mind, I know I’m in trouble. I miss the little vixen. Damn. I need to touch her and hold her. Where the hell is she? She’s supposed to start ten minutes ago, and she’s never been late. Could she have an accident on her way here? I have the impulse to call her, but I don’t. I’m not that paranoid.
Brittney comes in without a smile. Something is off. The adoring, trusting look on her face isn’t there.
“Where have you been? I ask. “You’re late.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, without looking at me. “I went to see an apartment.”
I frown as I realize what she’s talking about. “I told you there would be no hurry.”
“I found one,” she says, peeking up at me now. “And I’m going to move out tomorrow.”
“What?” I cry out. “How? Where?”
“Darrell’s apartment building on Melrose.”
“That’s… not a safe place for a girl.”
