An Escape to Love Read Free

first name basis.”
    She smiled again and the irresistible, deep dimple made his groin tighten. What the fuck is wrong with me? He chided in himself in his head . She’s just a kid.
    “I’m twenty-one. And to answer your first question, I’m studying law at Harvard.”
    “Harvard? Wow that’s impressive. Why’d you decide to become a lawyer?” He was suddenly enjoying the casual, normal banter. It had been ages since he’d had the opportunity to converse with anyone who wasn’t doing time for murder, grand theft auto, or robbery.
    “Well, I belong to a whole family of lawyers. My father is actually a Supreme Court Justice. Benson Davies?”
    Jake tensed, every fiber in his body telling him that this was the worst thing that could happen to him. He had begun to think Leona was sort of a gift from God, someone to keep him company and give him one last chance at normalcy before he was doomed for eternity. But now he knew. She was just another one of his cruel tricks.
    “Benson Davies is your father?” he cried out.
    “Yes,” she said, her brows furrowed. “I usually get the most insane reactions from prospective boyfriends, but yours kind of tops the list.”
    He chuckled nervously, his hands clenched into fists as he got up to check on the steaks. “Dinner’s ready in five minutes. If you don’t mind, could you please carry these plates and cutlery to the coffee table? We can eat in front of the TV.”
    “Oh. Sure,” she said, getting up and following him to the kitchen for the dishes.
    Jake was numb after the shocking revelation about Leona’s father. If she was reported missing, it would only take seconds before cops arrived on his doorstep asking questions. If the police arrived, there would be problems for him and Leona. The last thing he wanted was for her to get caught in the crossfire.
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
    “So, what are you planning to do while you’re here?” Leona asked as they sat down to eat the steaming steaks with fries.
    Jake bit his lip to keep a scathing reply from escaping his lips. “I was hoping for some peace and quiet,” he said instead, and her fork stopped midway to her open mouth.
    “I kind of ruined your plans, didn’t I?” she said quietly, and he cursed himself under his breath.
    “It’s not a problem. I’m preparing for some major events in my life and I was just counting on the alone time here to kind of…sort my head out,” he said.
    “Do you know what you need? You need some fun, outdoor activity. I’d die if I had to stay here for a while, cuddled up on the couch with absolutely no physical activity.”
    Jake chuckled. “If you’re looking for some physical activity, you can have plenty right here, inside the house.”
    She stiffened. “What do you mean?”
    Jake stared at her, watching her face change pallor to a deathly shade. Realization dawned, and he saw that she had misunderstood his statement to mean something sexual. “Oh! No, no, no! That’s not what I meant. I meant there’s a fully equipped gym on the first floor if you want some exercise.”
    Leona relaxed and laughed a little. “I’m sorry, I misunderstood. You seem like a decent enough guy.”
    Jake’s bite refused to slide down his throat at her statement. Here he was sitting with a beautiful girl talking and having dinner, but if she found out who he really was, she would run away screaming. “I’m not that decent,” he said softly, and she smiled.
    “Oh, stop being so modest, I only meant it as a joke. I don’t really know you at all, do I?”
    He smiled back. “No, you don’t. Not at all.”
    “So what do you do?” she asked, taking a small sip of wine from her glass.
    “I, uh, own a small company,” he said and he regretted starting the conversation. All this talk about decency and work was depressing him, reminding him of what his life used to be once upon a time.
    “And what does your company do?”
    “We buy run-down businesses and invest in them to make them