Angel by Dani Wyatt Read Free Book Online Page B

her words to push me I’m not sure. Her reminding me of mom and dad tipped the scales.  Suddenly, it’s like a switch goes off.  The court case is settled, I’m done waiting.  I make my way out the front door on my way to claim what I know is already mine.
    My sweet Angel.
    It’s almost eight when I get there –they open at nine– and just the thought of her has my ears buzzing and blood flowing.  After yesterday, after touching her for the first time, I’ve had a near constant erection. 
    When the door opens at the gallery at nine a.m., I’m waiting.  When Andrea tells me Cassie is gone, I nearly stop breathing until she tells me where she is.  She’s been transerred.  By 9:03, I’m back in my car, heading her way.

Chapter Six
    _______________________________________________
    CHASTITY

    A fter a fitful night of near zero sleep, I came out to turn the key in the ignition of the Corolla. But any luck I had left offically ran out this morning, because the ole girl clicked and that was it.  Swallowing my pride, I found the same clerk in the office and asked if there was anyone that could jump my car battery.  Without looking up from his dog-eared issue of Barely Legal, he pointed to a corkboard on which there was a local bus schedule posted.
    Great.  Thanks for the help .
    The bus stop is only two blocks down from the motel, which I guess you could say was a stroke of luck, but it sure doesn’t feel like it.  I got to the new store in time, but the day has had its own ups and downs. 
    Like I said, I like the job itself.  But it’s not my dream.  I do it for the paycheck, and the bigger paycheck of an assistant manager is sorely needed right now.  But I’m also sad because I can feel my dream of being a dog trainer or having my own shelter slipping further and further away.  Animals have always made more sense to me than people, but growing that kind of business takes time and savings, neither of which I will have for a very long time.  Probably never.
    Eddie was already here when I arrived at nine and before long, we’d settled into the list of things on which he wants me trained.  I’ve done most of the assistant manager duties from time to time back at the other shop, but Eddie insists on going over every minute detail and rubbing up on me every chance he gets. Just when I’m about to run for the hills, he steps away, letting me fill my lungs with a cleansing breath.  We’ve been working for a few hours but it feels like a week already.  I’m so tense around him.
    “Finish up the schedule for next week, then come and show it to me.  I’ll be in the office.”  He licks his lips and leans close enough I can smell the cigarette he’d just smoked outside, as strong as if he still had it in his mouth.
    His lips are cracked and I have to fight back the urge to gag.  Another lip lick and then he’s gone.
    I let out an audible breath.  It’s just us here at the moment.  The store doesn’t officially open for another few days and the thought of being here, alone, with Eddie... it’s raising the hairs on my arms.
    When I’ve got the employee schedule set, I grudgingly trudge back toward the office.  It’s near the back employee entrance and I can smell tobacco as I approach.  Eddie’s outside again, smoking another cigarette.  Figures.  We’ve left the door propped open a few inches with a brick because the safety keeps locking us in. He called the door guys, because it should be locked from the outside, but instead it seems to be locking from the inside.  So, for not, it’s the brick and the scent of his cigarette breaks.
    I sit down in the seat in front of the desk and stare at the second hand on the wall clock until Eddie steps in a minute later, knocking the office door closed behind him.  There is no one else here, so I’m not sure why we would need a closed door but my heart immediately sets to racing.
    The inside of my lip is raw where I’ve been biting into it all