Page 11 of His Vicious Desire

I bring up the app for her camera feed and delete it.

ChapterFour

Six weeks later

Bianca

I sigh with relief to find the large bookstore almost empty an hour after it opened.On a Saturday, it could get busy quickly.Even though I should be at the library on campus writing this essay, it felt like the walls were closing in, and I needed to get out.It didn’t matter I spent spring break working, none of it paid off.I’m wondering if I’m failing this damn class after all.

I’m in the café area and find a large empty table where I can set up my laptop and notebook.Hopefully, I can finish this essay in only a few hours.My reward for finishing an essay I’m finally going to get a good grade on will be picking out a new book.I’m refusing to consider the other essays that have me barely passing the class.

Paying the tax for the use of a table, I go up to the counter and order a large iced latte and a slice of quiche for the breakfast I hadn’t felt up to having before I left campus.I take them back to the table and read through my notes as I eat.Once I’m done, I leave the plate on the other side of the table and focus on writing.

Dimly, I’m aware of the noise building over the next two hours.But I’m nowhere near done, so I barely pay attention.

“Hello, is someone sitting here?”I look up to see a woman, probably somewhere in her mid-thirties.She has dark hair and eyes and is dressed in shorts and a T-shirt.

I nod.“Sure.”I move my stuff to one side of the table.

“You’re done with the plate?”

“Yes, thank you.”I’m grateful she takes it to the counter.

By the time she’s back, I’m focused again on the paragraph I can’t get quite right.

“So what did you have?Was it something sweet or savory?”

Fuck.She’s a talker.I force down the sigh and hope if I humor her, she’ll finish her own sandwich and go away.“A piece of quiche.It was good.”

Her eyes go wide.“Huh, I thought that was whipped cream on the fork.So it wasn’t a piece of cheesecake?”

What?I want to ask her what the fuck did it matter to her.And why did she think I was lying?Instead, I shake my head.“No, it was the spinach quiche.”Before returning my attention to my screen.

“Oh, well.I wanted a piece of cheesecake.But I’m trying to watch my figure.I guess you are, too.That’s good.”I feel her eyes on me.

I stiffen.No.This is not what I think it is.While the woman was definitely a ten, maybe even a size twelve, I’m at least three sizes larger than her.Apparently, I’m not needed for this lecture because despite me not saying a word, she keeps talking.

“You’re so lucky.So young and pretty.And with a metabolism still.The weight falls off when you’re younger.Once you get to be my age, it’s so much harder to lose weight.”

I’m ignoring her, but she doesn’t seem to care.

“Have you tried that new diet plan with the points system?It’s so easy…”

I stand, unplug my laptop, and begin putting everything into my backpack.

“You don’t have to be rude.I just asked you a question.”

Giving her a look, I’ve learned from Sandro.Her eyes go big, and she opens her mouth, but nothing comes out.Too bad it took so long.

I turn and walk away.I don’t even consider going on the hunt for a new book.I’m not done with my essay…and I would rather walk on broken glass than be anywhere near the woman.

In my SUV, the tears I held in come pouring out.I’ve lost track of time and tears when my phone goes off with a text.I fumble with it, hoping it’s Sandro.It’s not.It’s Kitty.I sigh as I read it.She wants to know what I’m doing.

I consider ignoring it and responding much later that I was in the library and had my phone off.Except, I’ve used that excuse too many times with her.Giving in, I text her that I’m at the bookstore.I leave out the tears thing.

Her response is immediate.She wants me to pick her up so we can go shopping.I roll my eyes.We both hate going shopping—unless it’s for shoes or books.

My phone rings.Fuck, it’s her.

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