Free BLIND: A Mastermind Novel by Lydia Michaels Page B

Send me a picture of the room you just described.
     
    She waited only a minute before the image loaded and her lips parted. Wow. Talk about lush. The carpet looked super expensive and the woodwork was masterful. It matched everything he described although the picture was even prettier than his description. She’d never seen an actual house with a room like—
    “Wait a minute.” She responded again.
     
    How do I know you didn’t just copy and paste that from Pinterest or something?
     
    I suppose you have to trust me.
     
    Trust is earned.
     
    I see. Would it help if I wrote a word on a piece of paper and took another picture, so you could see the pictures are mine and not premeditated?
     
    Yes. But I get to pick the word.
     
    Fine. What shall it be?
     
    She considered some choices, but wanted to choose something totally random to make sure he was the one producing the pictures. She grinned cleverly as Harry Potter continued to play in the background. Nothing like a random movie quote.
     
    You have to write the words: The spider s… they want me to tap dance.
     
    She waited patiently. If he actually did this and proved that was the room he was sitting in, she’d be highly impressed. Anything that looked superimposed or photo shopped and she was blocking him.
    The screen dinged. “Holy. Shit.”
    There was the impressive office and fireplace, and there was a man’s hand holding a slip of paper that read:
     
    I admire your movie reference, Ms. Farrow. THE SPIDER S… THEY WANT ME TO TAP DANCE. I believe the next line is, “ And I do n’ t want to tap dance! .. . You tell those spiders, Ron.”
     
    She laughed. He’d certainly done what she’d asked and proved himself. She analyzed every clue she had at her disposal. His hand looked clean. His wrist was a normal size with a nice looking watch. And his handwriting was very nice, sort of like the kind they used for Sharpie ads. Plus, he liked Harry Potter enough to know one of the quotes. Cool points.
    When the screen alerted her to a new message, she minimized the image.
     
    Satisfied? Shall we continue?
     
    Yes, she was definitely satisfied. However… She didn’t want to come off as an idiot, but certain things weren’t making sense.
     
    Yes. Thank you. So…are you interested in dating? I don’t understand your intentions.
     
    Think of it as someone being focused on you—in a positive way, Ms. Farrow. You piqued my interest and I find myself charmed with the idea of being the man you seek.
     
    But you aren’t interested in anything sexual?
     
    Not that she’d have sex with a stranger. She was simply trying to understand what this was exactly.
     
    What gave you that idea, Ms. Farrow?
     
    You said you’re not interested in a physical encounter.
     
    Ms. Farrow, allow me to enlighten you. The largest sexual organ is in fact the brain. Our bodies are aroused through the mind, erotic imagery formulated by the brain’s processing of the senses. Not all absorbed things must be learned on a kinesthetic level. I can take you where no man ever has, without ever laying a hand on you, so long as I can engage your mind.
     
    Whoa. He was smart. Maybe he was a doctor or something. The longer she spoke to him the more information she gathered. Brown hair, blue eyes—the trainer was a plus—good with words, owned his own company—company, not practice, so probably not a doctor then. But most of all, he was smart! Mr. Stone was adding up to quite an interesting person. To be honest, he sounded like a catch. But it was still strange not seeing him. This could all be bullshit. She wished she had more proof then a wrist shot to know he wasn’t plotting her death.
     
    Her laptop chimed. She’d been thinking of a reply but hesitated.
     
    Shall I give you another word, Ms. Farrow?
     
    All right.
     
    Good. Your word is, discipline.
     
    Her nose wrinkled at his selection. Own, claim, and now discipline? Maybe this guy was a little too intense. She