"Who did that to you?" His voice pressed, demanding. But I had to shut him down if I wanted to keep myself together. "If you get to keep things from me, then so do I." "If I find out who he is-if I find him..." "I hope you don't," I cut in. "Because I'd rather he was already dead." "I won't be at peace until you see it for yourself. Either his grave, or his death right in front of you." He inched closer to me, pulling my chin more and more until our faces were very close. "And remember, Leandra ...." His words sounded like a promise. His breathing was so heavy, so determined. "The moment you watch that bastard die, you'll see me there too." *** Being my best friend's delivery girl isn't exactly my idea of fun. Usually, it's annoying. But this time? This time, it led me straight to him. He kissed me-this stranger, so alluring that it made me think of him all the time. The scent of his body, his heavy voice, his pierced grey eyes ... it all stayed with me. Haunted me. Drove me crazy. The problem? He wants nothing to do with me. He keeps his distance, tells me to stay away, says I need to forget him. He says he's a dangerous man. But how do I forget someone who's already under my skin? How do I let go of the one man who's already claimed my heart?
Chapter 1 Lovesick
I was here, in what's considered the most dangerous city in the United States. If it weren't for Kim, there's no way I'd go through all this trouble, traveling so far just to fetch her damn documents. Damn her scatterbrain for always forgetting important stuff and dragging me into her personal courier service.
Pulling my phone out of my bag, I dialed Kim's number. I prayed she'd pick up quickly so that the incident that I won't tell wouldn't happen again like last time.
"Hey, Leanne, you here already?" she answered on the second ring.
"Now quickly tell me where to go?"
"Grab a cab. I'll text you the address," From the tone in which she spoke, I could tell that she was in a hurry for some reason.
"Pray to your God that I always remember that you are my best friend," I said simply.
"I'll text you, Leanne." That was the last word before she unilaterally ended the call. Truly a person who understood gratitude.
Actually, Kim was not really the type of person who is very annoying. She just got sloppy sometimes. However, even though I get a bit annoyed with her sometimes, I still liked her. She was kind and caring, and sometimes acted like she's my sister. A rich big sister.
But still, I knew whatever Kim was working on had to be important. And her successes always benefited me in one way or another. She was a hotshot reporter, the diamond of her company, and currently chasing a story that she claimed would solidify her reputation (at least in the journalism world).
A text popped up:
From: Kim
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. 315 Chestnut St, St. Louis..
I showed the address to the cab driver. He gave me a quick nod before starting the car. I silently wondered what kind of news would make Kim want to be sent all the way to this city.
From behind, I heard the sound of police sirens which made my ears a little disturbed. I suddenly looked for the source of the sound and found two police cars chasing a black car.
"Wow," I muttered. "What's going on?"
"That's normal here," the driver replied casually, clearly overhearing me.
I looked into the rearview mirror on top of the dashboard, and revealed the face of the driver who seemed to think that I was someone who didn't know the customs of this place. To be fair, he wasn't wrong.
I arrived at the hotel Kim had mentioned. "Nice choice," I muttered to myself. This was one of the fanciest hotels I'd ever set foot in. The view was stunning, and the Gateway Arch was practically right next door.
Kim sent me her room number, and I strolled through the lobby, taking in the surroundings as if no one was waiting for my arrival.
I pressed the elevator, the doors opened and I was presented with the sight of a couple making out. They were so into it they didn't even notice me. Or maybe they didn't care. I didn't know if it was just me or if the elevator I was riding felt like it's taking forever to move. They were still doing their thing, making me deliberately clear my throat rather loudly.
Finally, they stopped. Whether it was because of me or because they ran out of air, I wasn't sure. Just then, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened to my floor.
"Lovesick," I quipped with a teasing tone as I passed them.
I had just stepped out of the elevator when someone suddenly shoved me against the wall. Before I could react, he kissed me, hard and unapologetically. With quick movements, the man also took off his black coat, leaving only a plain white t-shirt that clung snugly to his body. I tried to push him off, but he grabbed my wrists, pinning them behind me with a grip that made it impossible to fight back.
Who the hell was this guy, and what the hell was he doing? He kissed me frantically, his left hand rising to shield our faces. I really tried desperately not to open my mouth and let him in.
There were footsteps running past us. His left hand was binding my wrist and it was his right hand that was raised. A few moments later, he finally broke the kiss but didn't move away. His eyes opened, and I found myself staring into deep, stormy gray irises. Before I could even process what had just happened, he bent down to pick up the documents I had dropped.
"Thank you."
That was his first and last word before snatching back his black coat and running in the same direction he came from. He left me standing there like an idiot.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the couple from the elevator staring at me.
"Lovesick," they mocked before strutting away. Damn it-nothing stings more than having your own words thrown back at you.
I tried to ignore them, straightened my clothes that were a little messy due to that stranger's actions. The scent of his perfume clung to the fabric.
I searched Kim's room while still thinking about what happened. Who was he? What did he want? Why the hell did he kiss me? And... why was he such a damn good kisser? Focus, Leanne. Get it together. It's crazy, I didn't even know anything about him. Except for his voice, his eyes, and the scent of his perfume, I know nothing else.
Kim opened the door quickly. She didn't even say a word, just snatched the documents from my hands.
"Oho ... I didn't hear anything like 'thank you, Leanne, you are the best'," I quipped and sat down on the couch like I owned the place.
"Thank you, Leanne. I really am. You are the best person I have. But I don't have much time right now. Please ...," she said as she checked the file I had brought.
"Fine, fine. Did I miss something?"
"Nope. Everything's here. Perfect. Thanks again, Leanne. You can chill here or go explore. The password is as usual." Kim grabbed her bag and hugged me. "Wait, something weird happened," I said, stopping her.
"What?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at me.
"Why do you smell like men's cologne?"
Damn!
***
Edited. 170125, Anne Joyce
Chapter 1 Lovesick
08/01/2023
Chapter 2 Stay with me, please
08/01/2023
Chapter 3 I'm sorry you got hurt
08/01/2023
Chapter 4 Can you handle a gun
08/01/2023
Chapter 5 What do you want
08/01/2023
Chapter 6 Kiss me
08/01/2023
Chapter 7 Get dressed and find a new guy at the party
08/01/2023
Chapter 8 I'm not a good guy
08/01/2023
Chapter 9 Have fun
08/01/2023
Chapter 10 He's a good guy
08/01/2023
Chapter 11 Is she happy there
08/01/2023
Chapter 12 You jealous
08/01/2023
Chapter 13 Good girl
08/01/2023
Chapter 14 It was awkward as hell
08/01/2023
Chapter 15 What have I gotten myself into
08/01/2023
Chapter 16 A Lustful Monster
08/01/2023
Chapter 17 A Name
08/01/2023
Chapter 18 A Fight
11/01/2023
Chapter 19 A Rich Man
11/01/2023
Chapter 20 An Ordinary Man
11/01/2023
Chapter 21 A Dinner
13/01/2023
Chapter 22 A Promise
14/01/2023
Chapter 23 A Surprise
05/08/2023
Chapter 24 24. A Loving Husband
05/08/2023
Chapter 25 A Story
07/08/2023
Chapter 26 A Dream Come True
08/08/2023
Chapter 27 A Bucket List
10/08/2023
Chapter 28 A Date
02/09/2023
Chapter 29 Will he be okay
19/02/2025
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