by J. Sterling
****
Barbara eyed me as I hustled between meetings. Carrying a stack of production papers and two new scripts, I rushed into my office to deposit them before grabbing the folder I needed for my next meeting.
I stopped short the second I entered. A sea of red swarmed atop my desk, and I spied what were easily at least two-dozen long-stemmed roses. My eyes focused in on the single white rose standing in the center of the bunch. This was the most beautiful flower arrangement I’d ever received.
I walked calmly toward them even though my insides urged me to sprint there. Leaning down to inhale the fragrance, I touched the petals of the white rose, admiring it the most.
Reaching for the tiny envelope, I opened it and pulled out the card.
In a roomful of roses,
you’re the only one i see.
Please let me see you again.
—Daniel
“You’re in trouble now,” Barbara’s voice warned, pulling me out of my rose-filled trance.
I glanced up at her, knowing full well how right she was but refusing to admit it.
12.
DANIEL
Between calls and meetings, I stared at my computer for most of the day, waiting for Elizabeth’s name to show up in my inbox or on my telephone caller ID. But that never happened. Every hour that had passed with no response from her drove me more and more crazy. I was used to being in control, but she made me feel helpless.
I fought off the urge to text her, knowing that she’d most likely ignore that as well, and I couldn’t handle any more rejection from her today. She’d also wonder how I’d gotten her number, and I refused to rat out her assistant, who was quickly becoming my biggest ally.
Checking the tracking number one last time, I knew the roses had been received at 3:17 p.m., and someone in the main security office had signed for them. Maybe Elizabeth hadn’t seen them yet? I was half-tempted to call Barbara to check, but I stopped myself from wanting to know the truth. What would it mean if she’d seen them but not reached out to me?
Did I remember to sign my name?
Maybe the card got lost?
Maybe I sound like an insecure loser.
Elizabeth had all the goddamn control in this situation, and she knew it. I fucking hated it.
Sitting in my office that was bigger than my first apartment, I stared at the city, silently hating the fact that she wasn’t in it. She was hundreds of miles away from me at the moment, and that fact had done nothing to quench my thirst for her. It only made my desire to see her that much stronger.
A man always wants what he can’t have, I reminded myself.
But I knew deep down that it was more than that. Elizabeth wasn’t some conquest I wanted to win. Yes, she challenged me with her sassy mouth and snarky responses, but that only made me want her more.
Plus, I’d meant it when I told her I wanted to kiss her again. I couldn’t get her fucking lips or the taste of her tongue out of my head. Even my dick would wake up the second she popped into my mind. We were both clearly big fans of Elizabeth Lyons.
Could a man be blamed for wanting to get to know a woman better, for recognizing when someone special had entered his life? That was what I wanted, and so that was what I would get. I refused to take no for an answer from her. I’d warned her last night and again today in one of my emails.
Elizabeth sure as hell wasn’t someone I was ready to let go of. I would have to take matters into my own hands. I’d make her see that I wanted more than just one night with her, and I’d convince her that she wanted the same thing.
PRE-ORDER EPISODE 2 SOON!
Click here to Pre-Order Heartless, Episode 2 NOW! Releasing October 27, 2014
About the Author
Jenn Sterling is a Southern California native who loves writing stories from the heart. Every story she tells has pieces of her truth in it, as well as her life experience. She has her bachelor’s degree in Radio/TV/Film and has worked in the entertainment industry the majority of her life.
Jenn loves hearing from her readers and can be found online at:
Blog & Website:
www.j-sterling.com
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/RealJSterling
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/TheRealJSterling
Instagram:
@ RealJSterling
If you enjoyed this book, please consider writing a spoiler-free review on the site from which you purchased it. And thank you so much for helping me spread the word about my books, and for allowing me to continue telling the stories I love to tell. I appreciate you so much. :)
Also by J. Sterling
In Dreams
Chance Encounters
The Game Series:
The Perfect Game - Book One
The Game Changer - Book Two
The Sweetest Game - Book Three
The Celebrity Series:
Seeing Stars
Breaking Stars (Coming Soon)
Heartless, A Serial:
Episode 1
Episode 2 (coming 10/27/2014)
Episode 3 (coming 11/3/2014)
Thank you for downloading this book.
Please join my mailing list to get updates on new and upcoming releases, deals, bonus content, personal appearances, and other fun news!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
