Take Me Once, I'll Bleed You Twice novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

BEATRICE

Beatrice’s escort one Tweedledee -opened the door and gestured for her to enter, which she did with great reluctance.

It was an office, tastefully decorated and somehow inviting. There was a single person in the room and he sat behind a large oak desk. He was leaning back in his chair with an air of nonchalance. His eyes never left Beatrice as she walked up to one of the chairs positioned in front of said desk, dropping into it without waiting for permission. The door closed without Tweedledee coming in, leaving her alone with the stranger.

It was unfortunate that she recognized the man on the other side of the desk. Four days ago, this same person had approached Beatrice as she was getting her morning cup of coffee at her favourite café. He’d attempted to purchase the drink for her but she’d refused the gesture. As she’d learned over the years, it was best not to give a man any reason to think he was owed something. And she might have been a little bit rude when he’d insisted.

The baristas at this café knew Beatrice, as she’d been frequenting the place for over a year, and made the man back off, but it hadn’t deterred him. Once she’d gotten her drink, he’d approached a second time to apologize for coming on so strong and that he’d just wanted to get to know her more. He thought

buying her drink would be seen as a kind gesture that would lead to a conversation.

Beatrice had immediately informed him that she had no interest in getting to know him, and tried to leave. He’d grabbed her arm, asking if she’d at least share, her name. She’d refused. He wouldn’t let go. She’d then raised her voice and ordered him to remove his hand from her before she called the cops.

Other customers had begun to pay attention and he reluctantly did as she’d demanded.

She hadn’t seen him in the days after and thought that had been the end of it. Come to find out, it’d only been the beginning.

Just like that day, his blond hair was tussled in a way that looked messy but probably took a fair bit of time to get just right. Eyes, the same shade of blue as the cold winter sky, were staring hungrily at Beatrice while the rest of his handsome, chiseled face remained fixed with a polite smile.

“Hello,” he greeted

her,

his eyes roaming over her face and what was visible of her body. “I heard you caused a few… incidents on the way here.”

“I was hoping for an accident,” she muttered under her breath as she mimicked his posture, leaning back in the less comfortable chair. To finish off the pose, she crossed her arms over her chest in the hope this idiot would get the hint that she wanted nothing to do with him.

“Yes, well, I’m grateful that didn’t happen.”

How had he heard what she’d said? Did he have super hearing or something? Great. She made a quick note to self: don’t mutter anything you don’t want

him to hear.

“So, why am I here?” Beatrice sighed, wanting to cut to the chase and get it over with already. Her cell was looking mighty fine, if it meant she wouldn’t be forced to deal with this guy.

“Before we get into that…” he trailed off as he got to his feet. She stifled an annoyed groan as he walked around the desk, stopping just in front of where she sat. Propping his hip on said desk, the man looked her over a second time. In response Beatrice crossed her legs, trying to send the same message as before. “My name is Hendricks Bluemoon.”

She tried really hard not to make a blue balls joke and, to her surprise, managed to keep it to herself as she nodded. “Uh huh. So, why am I here, Hendricks

Bluemoon?”

Instead of answering her question, he said, “It’s only polite that, when someone introduces himself, you do the same.”

Beatrice wanted so badly to retort, it’s only polite to answer a question when asked,‘ but decided she valued her life a bit more than being a smartass. For now. Barely.

1/2

3:15 pm MA

Chapter 8

Her gum would be so proud:

“Fine. Beatrice.”

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