Grind: The Doyles, A Boston Irish Mafia Romance by Sophie Austin

Author:Sophie Austin [Austin, Sophie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-03T16:00:00+00:00

9

Ava

None of the dresses that I have are perfect. They're either summer dresses, or work dresses. Not something I want to wear on a date with Connor.

My small closet is stuffed with everything I own. Brooks ruined my best dresses, ripping them when he grabbed me in the throes of some argument or covering them with blood spatters when he hurt me even worse.

It’s just another way he left wreckage in his wake. On some level it feels good to be pissed instead of scared. I feel more like my old self.

Looking in the full-length mirror on the bathroom door of my studio, I give a little shrug. The simple black dress and heels, set off with my mother's gold hoop earrings, will have to do

It’s hard: I’ve seen the totally glamorous women who pour out of Intrigue, with their upmarket fashion, Pilates bodies, and three-hundred-dollar highlights. A law student and waitress on a tight budget can’t manage that level of sophistication. Not right now, at least. Still, I have a feeling that Connor’s not going to mind.

His face was so hopeful, his eyes so warm, as he asked me out.

I’d been so conflicted. If Brooks saw us together or caught wind that I was going on even a casual date, he’d unleash a world of hurt.

Still, as I looked up at Connor’s blue eyes, I decided. It’s not that I don’t care or am not scared. But for the first time in a long time, my own desire for something – for spending time with Connor - is stronger than my fear of Brooks Stacy getting mad.

Rhonda, the other waitress who often works the night shift with me, was willing to trade so I could get a Friday night off. Her eyes lingered on my face and then she’d said in her heavy smoker’s voice, “Honey, you get on that or I will.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

There’s a light rap at the door, and momentarily I freeze. No one should be able to get in here without buzzing. That’s the whole reason I moved to the tiny studio, even though it stretched my budget to the limits. There’s an outside security system, and a part-time doorman.

A few seconds later, a light tap follows. “Ava?”

Immediately, my shoulders relax and I move to unlock the door. Deadbolt. Slide bolt. Bottom lock. Just to double check, as if I can’t trust my own ears, I keep the chain engaged and pull the door open.

Connor stands on the other side of the door, legs spread wide and his broad shoulders blocking the view of the hallway beyond him, When our eyes meet, his whole face lights up with a smile. Oh, lord, those dimples. I undo the chain, taking in how good he looks. Dark slacks, a white shirt and a black sport coat. Freshly shaved. The man smells fantastic, and my whole body gives a little shiver of anticipation.

He steps into the apartment and glances around. I cleaned every inch of the place until it sparkled, shoving my belongings into drawers, under the bed, into the closet.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.