Bell, Book, and Sandals
Page 14
I got out of the taxi and looked at the impressive apartment building. I still couldn’t believe I lived here. The old Maxie would have insisted you were joking if you told her she’d end up living this life. But the new Maxie, well let me tell you, that girl was loving life.
I had a job I loved, an amazing place to live, good friends, and maybe, just maybe, a potential love interest. Yes, I had to say things were going quite well in the Maxie Universe.
I even got to meet Ryan Everheart.
I was still reeling over that one. I practically floated past the doors and in through the lobby, my mind lingering on the feel of his fingers against mine. Being close to him had been magical. It certainly would fuel my fantasies for years to come.
I made my way to the back hallway, entering the elevator and closing the doors. I pushed the button for the top floor, leaning back against the metal cage.
Van had to work late. She got to be the lucky one to see to Zand Taylor’s every wish. I guess that’s what happened when you ran a place like that. At least she got to be near a certain heart throb.
Oh, Ryan. My thoughts went back to him as the elevator slowly climbed. I let my eyes close, images of “Us” filling my head. There was something special about him. And I didn’t mean famous. He had left a deep imprint on me I couldn’t shake.
The cage rattled to a stop, pulling me from my daydreams. I leaned forward and frowned. The light said I was on the fifth floor. I know I didn’t push that button. I stepped forward, pushing the gates open, peering out into the shadowed hallway.
“Hello?” I called, hoping someone was out there waiting to get on. Yet only silence responded. The hallway was empty.
I stepped back in, preparing to close the gates. A movement at the back of the hall caught my eye. For a moment, I hoped it was Jensen. He lived somewhere on this floor. I felt my heart race at the thought of seeing him and suddenly guilt swept in. What was I doing drooling over Mr. Hollywood, who would never even be an option? Like I would ever be anything but another pretty face in a sea of pretty girls to him.
But Jensen…he was the chance to be happy. I knew that. And after our little “undate,” I definitely wanted to see him again. I had felt safe and warm in his arms. It was the first time I had really felt content. Yeah. No more thoughts of Ryan. Not when I had Jensen to anticipate.
Movement caught my eye again. “Hello?” I called.
A dark shape moved forward, glowing red eyes burning into mine as it came.
I gasped, flattening myself against the back wall. It was the thing I saw the first time I rode up in the elevator. Time seemed to stand still as it moved towards me. I needed to move, to close those doors and get the elevator started. But I couldn’t move. I was frozen, completely helpless to save myself from the nightmarish thing headed my way.
I wheezed, trying to draw in air. I was panicking and there wasn’t a darn thing I could do about it. Prying my eyes away from it, I glanced at the doors. They had to be shut. I had to get to them, but no matter how I tried, I couldn’t get my body to move. Fear had hardened around me like cement. I closed my eyes, expecting the worst, all the while praying the doors would shut. They had to close. Now!
The gate slammed shut with a jarring screech. My eyes flew open. The doors were closed? Who had done that? The fear released me and my legs could move again. I leaned forward, my shaking fingers ready to push the button for the top floor.
The dark shape stopped outside the gates and looked at me. I felt his eyes examine me, curiosity burning bright within.
I stopped, dropping my hand, moving to the gate. I stared at the shadowed creature with just as much curiosity. What was this thing and why did I suddenly think it had never meant me any harm?
It held my gaze a few seconds longer, then nodded, turning around and disappearing back into the shadows of the hallway.
I slowly let out the breath I was holding and pushed the top floor button. Riding the rest of the way up in silence, I was puzzled by what had occurred. I was wrong. The creature hadn’t wanted to hurt me. Of that, I was sure. As sure of anything else my instincts had ever told me. It only wanted a closer look.
Stepping out of the elevator, I headed to the apartment in a daze. What kind of red-eyed shadowy creature wanted to get to know you better? As I unlocked the door, I vowed not to tell anyone about this. After all, it wasn’t like they would actually believe me.
Eleven