QUIVER (QUAKE Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

our mail down on the granite counter in our kitchen and tear open the envelope. My eyes scan the page and I smile. Good News. They’re offering me the internship and giving me three weeks to make arrangements. They’ll provide me with a decent salary, a low rent, furnished apartment close to the office and the internship would span from mid-August to the end of February; just over six months. A fresh start in a new city sounds pretty good right now. In fact, after everything that’s happened with Kyle, this could be just what I need. 
     
    ***
     
          I glance around the condo; my eyes are blurred with tears I don’t want to shed. The space is now wiped clean of all traces of me. It looks like it used to before I moved in. It looks like I was never even here. My eyes travel over to the couch where we shared our first kiss.
          “Janny, we have to stop, before this goes any further.”
         “I don’t want to rush things with us.”
          My gaze moves to the narrow console table in the entryway.
          “You taste fucking incredible.”
          “Hands on the table.”
          God, I’m flushed just from thinking about it. I wrap my arms around my stomach as more memories invade my mind.
          “Hold still or I’ll stop.”
          “Please. Don’t stop.”
          My eyes flick to the kitchen table.
          “Are you ready for me, baby?”
          “You’re so wet. Do you want my cock?”
          I can’t block the images flooding my brain. I wish I could make them stop. God please make them stop. Saying goodbye to this place is hard enough without thinking about all the wonderful moments we shared.
          “I’m not the most romantic guy. I’ll probably suck at being a boyfriend, but Janny Moore, will you be my girlfriend?”
          The tears roll down my cheeks. I can’t hold them in any longer.
          Josh walks in from loading boxes in his truck and sees what a mess I am. The look of concern he flashes me as he pulls me into his arms warms my heart. He’s always here for me.
          He kisses the top of my head and holds me tight to his chest. I stay there until my tears have stopped flowing.
          “You’re going to get through this.” He runs his hand down my hair.
          I lift my head to look up at him. “Promise?” I question.
          He looks into my eyes, his expression earnest. “I don’t need to promise. I know you will. You’re the strongest person I know.”
     
    ***
     
          When I turn the key, unlocking the door to my new apartment, I smile over at Elle and Josh. “Here goes nothing,” I say when my hand grips the cold metal of the knob. My stomach flutters nervously. I wonder what I’ll find on the other side of this steel. When I push the door open I’m assaulted by the bright sunlight pouring in the large windows along the far wall. I hold my hand up to shield my eyes when I step inside the entryway.
          “Jesus, holy sunlight,” Elle comments. “With all these windows I think you’re safe from vampires.”
          I giggle while my eyes scan the small space. It’s decorated in muted and varying tones of gray. It’s a little nondescript for my taste but I know that will be an easy fix. Just having some of my own pictures displayed will make a big difference.
         Elle and I walk further inside and Josh shuts the door behind us.
         “Damn, this is nice.” Josh glances around while he walks over to the small, black leather couch. He sits down, stretching his arms out along the back edge and rests his converse-clad feet on the glass coffee table. He looks totally at home here and I’m not surprised that his artistic nature likes this space. The great natural light and the muted soft gray walls are reminiscent of a blank canvas waiting to be painted on. Maybe I should have thought to bring a couple of Josh’s more colorful paintings