HIM Read Free Page A

“So,” he sighed, “are you doing anything today?”
                  My schedule was relatively predictable – tan in front of the house by myself, go for a walk along the beach alone, read in the quiet – no romance – with a cup of steaming herbal tea and a biscotti, watch a movie in the dark – again, no romance – with a plate of salmon salad or talk to Tory for a bit before heading off to take a quick shower, then bed, to do the same thing tomorrow . . . in solitude.  I suppose I enjoyed not having to expect a bizarre occurrence, something that could throw off the equilibrium of my daily routine.  I’d gotten used to my predictable way of life.
    “I’m pretty busy,” I lied.
                  I barely ever got out of the house for long periods of time except for when Tory was throwing a party.  I couldn’t tolerate the noise, the random smells and all the annoying drunk people.  It only reminded me of the one night I couldn’t abide remembering. But under no circumstances could I let my guard down and go anywhere with Jensen.  He was a maniac-zombie craving for a taste of my brain, a Frankenstein-wanna-be with an electric chair in his basement.  He was everything bad all wrapped up in one gorgeous package – the beautiful wrapping paper covering the hideous gift inside.
                  “That’s too bad.  I would have enjoyed taking you out tonight.”
                  “Uh, sorry,” I mumbled, “I don’t date.”  My heart was uncontrollably loud, the beats picking up speed.
                  He smirked like he’d heard my heart's rapid pounding, too.  “At all?” He seemed surprised.  I nodded quickly.  “Or do you not date guys you just met a minute ago?” he asked in a teasing tone, taking a step toward me.  As he did so I stepped backward, an uncomfortable knot slowly forming in my stomach.
                  “Hey,” Jensen said calmly, “no need to get nervous.  I’m not going to hurt you.”  He had a look of concern in his eyes – on his striking face – almost making me wish I hadn’t backed away.  Had I looked that anxious for him to notice?  “I promise.”
                  Another man who promises things.  Gross.
                  “But promises can be broken,” I stated, thinking back to when he said he would never hurt me . . . and he did.  In the cruelest way imaginable.
                  “I don’t make a promise I can’t keep.”  He seemed stiff.
                  Ignoring his rebuttal I sauntered on with, “Promises can also be seen as another venue to lie.  They’re a good way of tricking people into thinking you’re being honest just to get something from them.”
                  “You don’t believe I’m being sincere?”  A scowl spread across his face – an awkward observation – compared to his dazzling smile and brilliant eyes.
                  “I don’t know you.  So I can’t be sure if you’re sincere or not.  Well…not yet.”
                  A smirk appeared on his thin lips.  “So you’re like one of them now, are you?”
                  “One of them ?”  I didn’t understand what he was getting at.  He smirked wordlessly.  “Who’s them ?”  Anger was building inside me – almost as if a time bomb was ticking – and at any given moment I would explode. This was relatively surprising.  I usually didn't get angry.  Jensen was slowly breaking through the ice sculpture I had plastered myself in; and it was cracking with every word he spoke to get to the real me underneath . . . and rather quickly, too.
                  “ Them ,” he answered, “meaning the girls who think they’re better than everyone else.  The ones who think they know everything about everything.”
                  “You think highly of me?  Well