Heartless: Episode 3

“Adaptation worthy?” He suddenly seemed less angry.

“I hope so. I’ll know for sure once I’ve read the whole story.”

“I want a presentation on why it is, or isn’t, worthy of pursuing once you finish reading it,” he demanded.

“Of course,” I agreed before realizing that I needed to find a brilliant book to read—pronto.

The rest of the meeting went on without any more daydreams on my end. I needed to get it together. This very thing was exactly why I’d stayed away from men in the first place. Daniel could not make it impossible for me to function during the days, or this wasn’t going to work, not one bit.

7.

DANIEL

It absolutely sucked leaving Elizabeth’s place this morning, and I’d had to force myself to go. Everything in my body had wanted to stay by her side, hold her until she woke up, and then send her to work with my scent all over her. I was like a fucking dog in heat, wanting to mark hi

s territory.

With my phone, I’d snapped a picture of her sleeping, her blonde hair splayed across the pillow and down her back while she looked so peaceful. It was the only picture I had of her, and right now, I was so fucking thankful that I had been such a psycho and taken it. Looking at her beautiful face brought me utter joy.

I had officially turned into a pussy.

Two knocks on the door, and James walked into my office, a bottle of water tucked under his arm.

I placed my cell phone down. Perfect timing.

“How was last night, buddy?”

He made himself at home on my couch, and I made a mental note to purchase a Nerf gun for future meetings like this.

“How many times do I have to tell you to go lie down on your own couch? This isn’t your bedroom.” I pretended to be annoyed as I imagined pummeling him with a dozen rubber darts at once.

“You’ve been saying that for years.”

“You’re a good listener.”

“Ha-ha. So, tell me about last night,” he said again.

I glared at my best friend, my mouth shut tight, until he swung his feet from my furniture and moved to a normal sitting position.

“Better?”

“Much.” I smirked.

“Are you going to tell me? Or am I flying down there and asking her myself?”

I bristled. “Don’t fucking talk like that. You know I’d beat your ass. You’ll meet her when I allow it.”

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a control freak?”

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a pain in the ass?”

He shook his head and opened the cap on a bottle of water before taking a swig. “Mostly you. Every day. Good thing my confidence can handle it.”

“Yeah, you clearly have a confidence issue.” I gave him a little head nod before huffing out a laugh. “Last night was great.”

“When isn’t sex great?”

“When it sucks,” I said, my tone serious.