Although they weren’t embracing or showing affection, their bodies were close and familiar. There was something between them, I was sure about that, but just what it was seemed vague.
Finally she said something, squeezed his arm affectionately, before turning and strutting away, her stiletto heels clicking and tiny skirt grabbing, although he didn’t watch her go. That was surprising to me. She was shaking her ass for him to enjoy, but he threw his attention to the street, musing on some other thing.
Crap, he was headed toward the penthouse. I wasn’t going to be there waiting like a good little girl for his pawing. I knew better now. I was hardening.
Once he was out of sight I left the bookstore and reversed my trek, went back the way I had come. I knew a good food vendor three blocks away and I could take my food to the park and eat it while staking the penthouse. He’d give up and leave I bet. Why waste his time waiting on me when he had legs waiting on him.
I decided I hadn’t missed anything in life by not dating the guys in Moulton. Other than Ben there were no good guys. For all I knew Ben was the same. He could be out dilly-dallying other woman while Jamie threw up in a sink. The idea made me even angrier. If I found out he was I’d go to Moulton to stomp his butt.
Stupid, stupid men!
A whistle startled me and I turned to see a creeper checking my walk and ogling. He was working on a building in a hardhat. He winked and waggled his tongue. I then channeled my frustration, flipped my middle finger, and with a snarl I stalked off. This life was increasing my harshness. I didn’t care. I needed it to. Being naïve wasn’t healthy. It led to dumb decisions and heartache. I’d already had enough of both.
Chapter Fifteen
While opening the door to the penthouse part of me wondered if I’d see Ezra waiting on the other side. I knew he could get in when he wanted. What I didn’t expect was to see Hale there with a glass of amber liquid and a scowl painted on his face. I was dressed in his clothing. The apartment was clean. I was allowed to leave, was I not? Why was he angry with me?
“Hello,” I said, hearing the crack in my voice, realizing I was holding my breath.
He glared with disapproval. I felt my hands begin to sweat. I raced through all his reasons for annoyance but what it was seemed lost to me.
“Have you spoken to your mother today?”
That was his question. Had I talked to my momma? No. Not today. I shook my head. “Is she okay?”
He then cocked an eyebrow at me. “I’d say so. She now owns the bakery. I bought it and gave it to her. Do you know why I did that Samantha?”
To control me Hale. To own me. To create a wall of guilt. Ezra had told me as much. I just hadn’t been sure he was right. Now seeing the look on Hale’s face I wondered if he’d been correct.
“No,” I honestly replied.
He took a drink and his mouth held its hard line. “It was a gift to you. You said you wished your mother could own a bakery. Now your mother does.”
Oh well, that was nice.
“Thank you, that’s a generous gift. I don’t know what to say exactly.” Because I didn’t believe he had done it. Buying me a gift like that made no sense at all. Unless there were strings attached. What was the price I would pay?
“How about starting by telling me where you’ve been all day. I arrived at noon and you weren’t here. It’s after eight and you’re just coming home. I’ve wasted an entire day waiting on you and I’m not very happy about it.”
He wasn’t due for another week. “I was out exploring the city. Then I got food from a vendor and ate it in the park. Why didn’t you call me Hale?” I thought that was a decent question. One that made sense to ask. His scowl then deepened and I suddenly realized I wasn’t supposed to ask questions in his presence.
“I shouldn’t have to call my employee and ask her why she isn’t working.”
“But I left everything clean.” I immediately defended myself.
“Does that mean you’ve completed your other assignment? You’re ready to submerge in my world. I doubt that highly Samantha.”
No, I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to “submerge” in his world. I’d rather “submerge” into a sewer system.
“I’ve been studying but I’m not prepared.”
He sat his glass on the table and it almost shattered. I jumped and my heart began racing.
“I bought your mother a bakery Samantha, because you wished it and now it is hers. And in return I get you running around the city taking advantage of me, the life I provide, and does that sound fair to you?”
Was he actually becoming a victim? After purchasing a friggin’ bakery? He made it sound like I was using him. That wasn’t how this was at all. “I was watching the people in the city. I can’t learn shut inside this apartment.” The expression on his face was frightening. I was fairly sure he wouldn’t hurt me. Hale was just upset. “I’m sorry. I thought I had another week. I wanted to walk around. It was lonely being in here.”
He snarled and my eyes went wide. Hale’s face then contorted into some weird mask forcing me to retreat. I took three steps back and stopped. There was danger in his eyes and voice. This was why Ezra wanted me to call him. His warning was now before me.