Page 8 of Shadowing Charlotte
"Give it to me…" she breathed, holding out her hand.
I raised an eyebrow at her. "Right here, where anyone can watch?" I asked with taunting smirk.
"The cigarette pack, jackass." she rolled her eyes. Hesitantly, I reached into my pocket and handed it to her, the pack still half full. Charlotte opened it, spit inside, and then tossed the pack into the nearest trashcan.
"If anything, that only makes me want to retrieve them more, princess," I grinned when her cheeks turned pink. I loved that I could make her flush with only a few simple words. I wanted to unravel her like a ribbon and tie her around my fingers, the way I was already wrapped around hers.
"Are you going to just follow me around forever or are you going to buy me lunch?" she finally asked. It was my turn to flush, her forward question catching me by surprise.
"I…" I didn't know what to say. She was actually asking me to take her to lunch. "Okay…" I finally managed to choke out. She turned heel, glanced both ways, and then crossed the street, expecting me to follow like some kind of lost puppy. And I did…
Chapter nine
Charlotte
Ididn't see the Camaro all morning, so I hadn't expected to spot him leaning against the side of the next building, another cigarette in hand.
When he tried the vape and his face lit up with delight, I felt victorious. But, when he made a comment about wanting to dive in the trash and retrieve the spit-covered cigarettes, I wanted to smack him upside the head.
Any normal woman would be running from him, screaming out for someone to call the police. Clearly, I wasn't normal. Instead, my dumb ass suggested that he buy me lunch.
I crossed the street toward the little restaurant, not bothering to glance back at him. I knew he would follow me. He couldn't help himself.
We were seated on the outside patio and handed menus as I glanced at my phone. I had thirty-eight minutes until I had to be back at work. "So, what is 'Hewart'?" he asked. He looked at the building across the street as he pushed his hood back, his dark hair falling haphazardly over his brows.
"Hewart Press. It's a publishing house." I replied, looking up at the waitress and ordering a BLT and a Pepsi. He nodded at the waitress, informing her he would have the same. I shouldn't have been offering him more information about my life, but I couldn't help it. Something about him drew me in. He was easy to talk to; it didn't hurt that he was handsome. "I'm Charlotte, by the way."
"I already know that…" The corners of his mouth twitching in amusement.
"Usually, when someone gives them your name, you give them yours," I stared at him expectantly.
"And if I give you my name, Princess, what's to stop you from giving it to the police?" he countered.
"As you said, if I haven't told anyone yet, what makes you think I'm going to?" I asked smugly. He'd seemed so certain of himself just the other day. Now that I'd asked for his name, there was doubt in his blue eyes.
He said nothing, taking another puff off of the vape, the sweet smell filling the air around us. "It's still illegal to vape within fifteen feet of an entrance," I informed him with a small smile.
"Sue me, Princess."
"Stop calling me that!" I snapped.
"Are you not? Spoiled little rich girl from New Haven…" I glared at him, crossing my arms over my chest. I couldn't deny that he was right. My father had money. I'd gone to a private high school. By all common definitions, I was exactly that. Still, his assessment stung.
"You have no idea who I am…" I replied, my cheeks burning with anger.
"Sweetheart, I know exactly who you are. Handed life on a silver fucking platter. A poor little rich girl with a life so hard she sneaks out to quarries and drinks herself stupid." I saw red, his assumption hitting me like a speeding car. The moment the waitress set the sodas down, I threw my drink in his face, jumping from my seat.
"Just because you've watched me through windows for two years doesn't mean you know shit about me, you fucking creep! Stay away from me, or I will call the cops," I threatened. This time I actually meant it. Without another word, I stormed from the cafe, leaving him drenched in soda.
As I crossed the street, I reached into my bag, cursing under my breath when I remembered I'd given him my vape. God, I was so fucking stupid. Why did I think having lunch with him could have been a good idea? Why had I even given him the time of day? He was a fucking stalker, for Christ's sake…
I stomped back to my tiny office, slamming the door shut behind me. Sinking into my chair, I shoved my glasses back on and engulfed myself in reading for the rest of the afternoon.
When I finally clocked out for the day, my stomach felt like it was devouring itself. I didn't get to eat during lunch, which only brought me back to what that asshole had said to me on the patio. Climbing into my Jeep, I planned my drive home, making a mental list of the food I needed to buy at the grocery store. I was still pissed at… Fuck, I still didn't know his fucking name!
I tossed my purse into the passenger side, stilling. On the leather seat, there was a brand-new Elf Bar and a card.
Sorry, princess.
