Chapter Four

Alana

I decided to enjoy my day off and pamper myself. I want to make the most of it because I’m back at work tomorrow and have a busy schedule over the next several days, including classes in between. I am going to be exhausted by the end of it. I wish I didn’t have to work so hard or as much, but I don’t have a choice. I need to live and put myself through college because I don’t have anyone to help me. I have been on my own since I was fifteen. I had no choice but to fend for myself.

I’ve been doing everything I can to distract myself, too, because Ezra keeps popping into my head. It took me forever to fall asleep last night because I kept replaying the evening’s events. Rushing away was the right thing to do, even if he didn’t seem too pleased by the idea. What did he expect me to do? He has a girlfriend, and that, in my book, is a big no-no. He will probably pass through my mind occasionally over the next few days, but I will forget about him eventually.

I’m lying on the sofa in my old joggers and tee, reading a book while I munch on popcorn. My hair is a mess, and there is no make-up on my face. At times like this, I'm glad I live alone because it means I don’t scare anyone with my 'I don’t give a fuck about how I look' mode.

A calm aura surrounds me, and I like it. I set my book down, getting ready to make a coffee. I stand, but don’t get far because there’s a knock on my front door. I’m not expecting anyone. It’s probably one of my friends, they like to show up randomly sometimes, and I do the same to them. I chuckle to myself at some of the compromising positions we have caught each other in.

I check through the peephole, but it isn’t one of my friends. There is a man on the other side with what looks like a bunch of flowers in his hand. He either has the wrong address, or they are for one of my neighbours who aren’t in. I quickly answer before he disappears.

“Hello,” I say politely.

“Are you, Alana?” he asks.

I nod, confused how he knows my name. “These are for you.” He smiles as he hands me the massive bouquet of flowers, which includes roses and lilies. It has a beautiful mix of colours: pink, blue, red, and yellow. I thank him, and he heads off.

Who the heck sent me flowers? I take them into my apartment, placing them on the table, I search for a card I hope is attached to explain this. Finding one, I remove it from the envelope. Glancing at it, I see my name and a phone number; that’s all it has written on it. Everything seems very secretive and slightly unsettling. I stare at the number in front of me. Am I supposed to call it? It could be anyone on the other end, but I need to know, or it will annoy me. I may regret calling. I find my phone and quickly type in the number. I hold my breath for a moment and then release it before hitting the call button. It rings three times before I hear a male voice say, “Hello.”

“Um, who is this? And why are you sending me flowers?” I get straight to the point—no point beating around the bush.

The man chuckles. It sounds familiar to me, but I can’t quite place it. “Hey, kitten.” As soon as I hear his voice, and he says kitten, with a jolt, I quickly realise who it is.

“Ezra? Where, and how the fuck did you get my address?” The annoyance in my voice is evident. He only knew my first name. He shouldn’t be able to find out so much about me with such little information. Right?

“I have my ways. Do you like the flowers?” He doesn’t even seem worried by his behaviour.

“Yes, they are beautiful, thank you, but it’s still not the point. Tell me how you got my address, or I will hang up,” I say firmly.

He mutters something under his breath. “I will make you a deal. If you agree to meet me for a coffee, I will tell you where and how I got it.” Even though I can’t see his face, I bet there’s a smug look on it.

Yeah, I refuse to play his games. “I warned you. Goodbye!” I hang up before he can say another word.

It only takes him a second to call me back, and I decide to be a smartass. I answer his call, saying, “Sorry! Alana can’t come to the phone right now. Please call back later or leave your message after the tone when you are single. Beep.” I hit the hang-up button again. He tries one last time. The man is persistent! I put it on silent and ignore him.

I wish he would take the hint. Yes, he is damn sexy, and there are many dirty things I would like to do with him, and if he was single, maybe I would go for it, but he isn’t. I groan in frustration and toss my phone onto the sofa before I finally make my coffee. I am still trying to work out his interest in me. A man of his stature shouldn’t be interested in someone like me. Men like him should be with the type of women who were at the event, especially women like Bella, even if she is a horrible human being.

I make a sandwich to go with my coffee, ready to retreat to my nest on the sofa and continue reading my book, as it’s getting steamy! And I love some steamy romance, especially those with hot, possessive men who fuck the main female character so good she can’t walk properly afterwards. I need to find one of those males for myself.

I wonder what Ezra is like in the sack.

I find myself getting a little hot and bothered as I read. I need to get laid. It has been months because I have had no time. I quickly devour the pages efficiently since I am enjoying it. When I like a book, I can read the entire thing in a couple of hours and have been known to sometimes read three books in a day.

I turn the page to the next chapter, eager to see what happens next, but get disturbed by another knock on my door. Seriously! Can’t I have a day of peace? I ignore it, hoping whoever it is will take the hint and disappear, but my plan doesn’t work because they keep knocking, and each one seems to get progressively louder than the previous one.

I huff loudly, getting my ass off the sofa and head for the door. I don’t even check to see who it is because I am pissed off. I regret answering it when I see who is standing there.

“You have got to be joking! Ezra, why are you stalking me?” I groan, tossing my hands in the air. He shrugs, before he walks straight into my apartment. “Did I say you could come in?” I question through gritted teeth.

“Nope! But I don’t like being ignored, Miss Goodman.” I can tell by his voice he is irritated.

“And why is that my problem?” I mock and throw my hands in the air. He seems taken aback by my words, along with my behaviour, probably because I’m utterly different towards him now as opposed to last night. I am sure I came across as shy and sweet, except for a couple of outbursts, but we are in a different environment now, and I don’t need to watch my mouth.

“Don’t mock me, Alana,” he says through gritted teeth while giving me a stern look.

“I can do as I bloody well please. You are in my apartment. You showed up uninvited.” I stand my ground and cross my arms over my chest.

Ezra raises a brow at me as he clenches his jaw. “Are you always so rude?”

I think I have a good reason to be rude, but I don’t believe that is the issue here. The problem is he isn’t used to people talking to him in such a manner.

“Excuse me? If anyone is rude in this situation, it’s you!” I retort.

“Me? Sending you flowers was rude?” he asks as he tilts his head and steps closer to me.

“No. But getting my address without my permission and showing up here uninvited is rude.” He takes another step forward, and my breathing becomes heavier.

“If you didn’t run off last night, I wouldn’t have had to,” he replies. He is close enough now I can feel his warm breath on my face.

“I made it clear the reason why, Ezra. What made you think coming over here was going to change anything?” I steady my breathing, not wanting him to see how much he is getting to me by being so close.

“But you didn’t consider a couple of things. I don’t tend to listen or give in when there is something I want.” He rests his hand on my hip. I bite hard on my lip, barely stopping myself from whimpering.

“An-And wha-what is it you want, Ezra?” I stammer out, clenching my hands into fists by each side of my body to stop myself from doing something stupid like grabbing and kissing him. It’s a thought in my head, but one I won’t act on.

“Haven’t I made what I want clear by now?” His fingers circle my hip. “You. I want you…” He licks his lips after he trails off.

A moan escapes my lips the second he says those words. I had a feeling, but now he has confirmed it, it makes it real. I curse myself for showing him I like the sound of him wanting me.

“I-In life, w-we don’t always get what-you know-ah-what we want,” I finally stammer out, trying to pull myself together.

“Maybe other people don’t, but I do.” I don’t know if he is confident or cocky, maybe a little of both.

“You aren’t getting me, not while you have a girlfriend.” I take a step back from him, resting my hands on my hips. “You should leave,” I say firmly. He needs to leave for both of our sakes.

“This isn’t over, kitten. See you soon.” He smirks and leaves my apartment. How does he plan on seeing me soon? Is he just going to keep randomly showing up at my apartment? He now has my phone number and address. I am not sure how I feel about this.

I grab a cushion, burying my face in it, and I scream. I wish he would have just forgotten me! There is no need for him to be chasing after me when he already has a girlfriend, no matter how much of a bitch she is. If he doesn’t want to be with her, then he should break it off. I’m surprised he has a girlfriend; he doesn’t seem to be the type of guy to be tied down. I have no idea how their relationship works, and it is none of my business, but I know I am not getting involved with him.

Things like this don’t happen to me! Not with men like Ezra. And quite frankly, it is messing with my head! I sigh, running my fingers through my hair, and decide to run a bubble bath. They always relax me, along with a small glass of wine. With any luck, Ezra will become bored with me and find someone else to put his attention on, or even better, put it all on his damn girlfriend, because I’m positive she would be needy as heck.

I need to forget about him, and I have a feeling it isn’t going to be easy.