Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Desire becomes obsession, and the chase is only just beginning
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Chapter One
Elizabeth
The sun had set behind me two hours ago, which wasn’t new for me, but today was a holiday so I had a choice to make: go out, or go home, open a pint of ice cream, and remind myself that I was lame and alone.
I’d just sent off the last email when a shadow fell over my desk. “Any plans for this evening?” Mr. Keaton asked as he tapped on my open door, which was next door to his much larger office. We were the only two remaining in the building except for the security at the entrance.
I gave him a half-hearted smile. “Nothing in particular. You?” Although I was his assistant, we didn’t share much of our personal lives. He had a difficult family situation that got in the way of his business, and blissfully, we had avoided discussing mine from the moment I signed my employment contract.
He shook his head. “No, I’m going to go home and rest. I’m sure everything will be fine, but I want to be alert should anything happen overnight.” I closed down my email and then powered down my laptop. Standing, I grabbed my computer bag off my coat hook and slipped my laptop inside.
“Let me know if you need me.” I enjoyed my job, but not enough to work all night long like my boss. It was his baby, so he devoted his existence to it.
“You really should get out some.” My brow shot up and my lips pursed shut as I nearly choked on the audacity.
“Yeah. Is this where I take your advice because you’re not using it?” I questioned because there would be a tie for who the hermit was more. Although I still believed he beat me.
“Yes,” he said, bursting out laughing.
He walked back to his office while I finished getting myself ready to leave. It was freezing out, so I slipped on my warm wool coat and thick scarf. After I had gathered my things, I closed my office door and locked it. I stopped by his office to say goodnight.
He was packing his satchel with his laptop and then turned off his desk lamp when I said, “You know, I might take your advice and go out tonight. I only need to figure out where to go.”
“We have an invitation to the New Year’s Eve party at the Seneca.” It was a brand-new condo hotel worth more than most, and it was a crown jewel taking over a prime spot looking over Times Square and the ball. It would be perfect tonight.
“I do have the invite, but it’s under your name,” I reminded him.
“Yes, but it’s for my company, and you are my best employee. They’ll let you in. I’ll make sure of it.” He winked. He was so sure of everything, and I didn’t doubt he would make it happen.
“Fine. Maybe I’ll find my way down there.”
When I got home, Mr. Keaton shot me a message. Got you in under your name.
Thanks. Happy New Year.
Great. Now I had to make an appearance so I didn’t feel like an ass after he went through all that trouble. So, I showered and then styled my thick, wavy hair into luscious waves. I slipped on a black, silky slip dress and a large gray faux fur coat. I walked to the subway, but it was so crowded that it took me a long time to get inside.
Maybe I should have ordered a private car. The Forty-Second Street station was jammed as we got out. Still, I managed to make it to Times Square to witness the madness that was going on there. Large crowds gathered as expected, which helped on the cold night. They blocked the breeze from hitting me directly. We had two hours until the ball dropped and the old year rolled into a new one.
The hotel was a short distance from my location, according to my phone’s map. Having plenty of time, I made my way across the street to a club to get a quick peek and check out the atmosphere. Everyone was tossing them back. Shots and drinks were going around as if it were a free-for-all. Taking my purse, I moseyed up to the bar to get a drink before I made my way to the hotel.
“Can I get whatever fruity drink you got that’s fast?” I asked the bartender. There were several specials on the board, but the sign was blocked by partygoers. I needed some liquid courage before I strolled over to the extravagant party. Mr. Keaton gave me too much credit when it came to class and grace. I was way over my head when it came to most of his clients, so much so that I hid in my office during his meetings and never met most of them.