Free Condemned (Beauty And The Billionaire Geek Book 2) by E.E. Griffin Page A

an idiot? Why was I so weak? I’d never been the kind of girl who let a guy consume her. I’d never been boy crazy in high school or gotten love sick every time a guy looked twice at me.
    I’d always been strong, independent, my own person. I didn’t like what was happening to me, but I knew part of me craved it. Part of me wanted to give in to it. What would be so bad about letting this part of me take over? Wasn’t Billy a good guy?
    The thought of our future together didn’t repel me, but I hadn’t seen or done anything with my life yet. I’d been away from home for only three months. If I let myself fall under his spell, I’d never get out. I’d never find myself. I’d never be an independent woman.
    I knew I was falling in love. I couldn’t stop the overwhelming feeling in my chest, or the empty hole in my stomach that gnawed at me every time he went away.
    Even now, in the shower, I already felt the pull toward him, as if there were a cord attaching me to him. The further away he went, the more it pulled me.
    I turned off the shower and wrapped myself in a big fluffy towel. I went back to my room and sat on my bed. Water dripped down my hair and over my skin. I picked up my phone and flicked on the screen.
    I believe you. I typed. I waited, but he didn’t reply. It was already late. He was probably working or sleeping or something.
    What? He typed back a few minutes later.
    I believe it will be okay.
    Good. It will. Get some rest.
    The next day I went to class and practiced with Bea, getting ready for a Halloween show with the troop. I picked up the steps to the dances quickly. They weren’t very complicated and mostly revolved around taking parts of our outfits off.
    After school, I checked my messages and found a voicemail from Marcus. He had another lingerie shoot for me. It would be even more risqué but would pay more than anything I’d done so far.
    I said I’d do it and hung up the phone. I couldn’t control my feelings for Billy, but at least I could control my career. I was lucky to make the kind of money I made. Most of the kids I knew were living in tiny rooms in shared houses or with their parents. Stacy and I had our own place and had three square meals a day.
    I stood at the bus stop as the rain started to fall in a pair of black leggings and a long sweater with slip-on tennis shoes. The weather was already turning cold and wet. The bus pulled up and I got on. As I found a seat, my phone rang –– my sister Claire.
    “Hi Claire. What’s up? How is everything?”
    “Things are great. Our trip to Mexico was amazing. Damien met his mom. It was so sweet.”
    “Really? Is she nice?”
    “She’s really nice. We’re planning to go back for Christmas. That’s part of the reason I called. I wanted you to know we’d be gone during the holidays. I also wanted to let you know that Regan is getting out of the mental hospital soon. She’s going to be living in a transitional house in Ukiah. Apparently, she’s got a massive crush on her psychiatrist. That’s a total no-no, but I guess the feeling is mutual. You know Regan. Constant drama.”
    “Is she better?”
    “She’s actually doing really well. Every time I talk to her, she seems lucid. It’s like she’s almost herself again. I know the medication makes her tired, but it seems to be working. Her psychiatrist really inspired her to get better. It’s good. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me.”
    “Is she dating her psychiatrist?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe. Regan seems to think so. He could lose his license if anyone found out about it. I feel kind of bad for her, but he did help her. I don’t know if she would have done so well with her treatment if he hadn’t been there.”
    “Well. I hope it works out. For her sake.”
    “How are you? I haven’t heard from you. How is school going and the job hunt?”
    “School is good. I’ve found a hip-hop dance troop and a job at a restaurant near my apartment,” I