Free Wanted (Addicted Trilogy Book 3) by S. Nelson

where my head was at, I thought it important
enough to tell her my name, as well. “My name is Sara, by the way. You might
need to know it.” We chuckled together but her real focus wasn’t on me; she
continued staring at Matt as he walked away. I didn’t blame her, but she’d learn
soon enough she didn’t have a shot with him.
    Oh, well. Who am I to ruin
the poor girl’s fantasy?
    When her eyes returned to mine, she blushed quickly then said her
goodbyes as she walked out the door. I really hoped Megan worked out because we
could definitely use the help. There were three other part-time workers, but I
had to cut back their hours because two of them were in school and needed to
focus on their studies and the other woman was set to have surgery on her
elbow.
    Walking around the counter to grab another pen, I heard my phone
ding, indicating I’d received a text message. Opening it, I saw it was from
Alek.
    I won’t be able to see you
tonight. Too many things to straighten out with a deal to get away.   Alek
    Figures.
    Sadly, his message didn’t surprise me, which was disheartening. I
was too disappointed and paranoid over our tender relationship to even text him
back. I needed some time to think, or over-think, as Alexa would say, about whatever
was going on recently between us. I knew he had other pressures on his time,
but he never let it hamper us from being together before. Normally, he would simply
re-arrange his schedule in order for us to see each other.
    So, what was different?      
    Distractedly, I muddled through the rest of my day. My thoughts kept
floating back to Alek, to the man who had quickly become my heart…my
everything. I knew we’d experienced something devastating in our short
relationship, but it was merely a test, right? A trial of our love for each
other. Something which would bring us even closer.
      I thought Alek and I could
battle any weather, but our storm was proving to be too much, threatening to
tear the roof off our lives.
    I texted him twice after I arrived home from work but he never
answered. I was hurt, wallowing in my own crazy thoughts when I decided to call
it a night and go to bed. It was still early, but I longed for the sweet arms
of sleep to drag me under and not release me until a new day had arrived.

~14~
    Alek

 
    The text I sent to Sara was utter bullshit, but I didn’t know
what else to do. Of course I had pressing work issues, and of course I was
having a hell of a time with getting my new hotel up and running, but shit like
that never stopped me from seeing her before. Nothing stood in the way of us
spending time together.
    Without even asking, I knew my odd behavior was weighing on her. I
knew I was an asshole for putting her through it, especially after she’d
finally revealed her deepest feelings for me.
    When she uttered the three words I’d been longing to hear, a
piece of my soul broke away. I knew she meant every word, and for as much as I
held those words tight, I knew nothing would ever be the same between us going
forward. So, I cherished our night together, then, like a coward, slipped away
in the morning before she even woke.
    I was still a man conflicted. Loving Sara made me feel alive, made
me whole. But her life was more important. Her safety, to be exact. I knew
exactly what I had to do, even though it would tear me up inside. Staying away
from her was going to be my ultimate challenge, but I had to do it. Otherwise,
I ran the risk of endangering her forever simply because of the hold she had on
me.
    My phone’s shrill ring busted into my thoughts like a
sledgehammer.
    “Devera,” I answered curtly. “What? Are you fucking kidding me? Well,
why did he go back on his initial quote? Goddamn it! All right, I’ll be there
in the morning.” I ended the call, even more irritated than before. The new
deal was taking so long to lock down, causing so many unforeseen complications.  
    One more thing to add to my
plate.
    The only good thing