Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 109976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 550(@200wpm)___ 440(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
The one thing I will not compromise on though is the fact that there can only be honesty between us. I can’t imagine it being any other way with her. This thing between us has been two years in the making and I’m sure she’s as aware of it as I am.
At least on that score there need not be any pretense, even if we have to hide our true feelings from the rest of the world for a little while longer. But when we’re alone together I refuse to keep that mask on and I’ll be damned if I’ll let her wear one.
Besides, there was no hope for it, not like I could control the shit any longer. Not now that there was no longer anything standing between us. After holding myself in check all this time I’d spent the last few hours barely containing my hunger.
Whatever I have inside me for her was ready to claim her. So there’s no way I’m going to play that game with her; pretending that she doesn’t know why I’m taking her home with me.
Besides, I’ve never been one for procrastination and now doesn’t seem like a good time to start. Sure, a better man might probably give her more time, but I never claimed to be that. All I am right now is a man who finally has his woman next to him.
She’s been hurt, I’m sure she’d had some kind of feelings for him since she’d married him.
But I am even more sure of her feelings for me. Still, someone as soft as her will no doubt mourn the bastard. I’ll give her a week.
“What do you plan to do with me?” Her question had my head coming back around to look at her again. There was something in her voice, something off. The fuck does she mean by that?
I didn’t say anything since Dave had already got an earful with his nosy ass. I have no doubt that as soon as I leave the car he’d be on the phone with Kevin, because they can’t stay out of my shit. So I kept my silence and didn’t press her for an explanation of her oddly phrased question.
We pulled into the underground private garage and it was only when I walked around to help her out of the car and took her other hand in mine that I noticed what she’d been clutching this whole time. It’s honest to say I was shook. Pleased, but shook to my core nonetheless.
She blushed and looked away when I took my card from her hand. The feeling that came over me then was too strong to ignore and I finally gave in and pulled her to me. “You should’ve called!”
I kissed her hair and squeezed her shoulders comfortingly before taking her hand and heading for the private elevator. We were both lost in our own thoughts when we stepped in and waited for the doors to close.
I was elated that she’d been holding my card; that I was the one she’d thought of in her time of need even though she hadn’t followed through. She’s relegated me to this. Just that little crumb was enough to make my heart smile.
“Why didn’t you call?” I looked straight ahead at the elevator doors while she stood next to me with her hand in mine, still looking down at her feet. I could see her reflection in the mirrored door so I didn’t miss the blush on her cheeks.
“I wasn’t sure… you have… I didn’t want to cause any trouble.” I’m amazed that I could piece together that jumble of words. That I knew her well enough to know what she was thinking.
“Next time call.” Not that there was ever going to be a next time. I don’t plan on letting shit happen to her in the future, but I needed her to know that she’s supposed to call me no matter what.
“No matter what I have you’ll always come first. Don’t do it again.” Her hand jumped in mine and this time when she lifted her head I saw the tears in her eyes. I knew she meant to say I have a fiancée, which meant she’d been keeping track of me. Good girl!
“Were you scared baby?” I finally turned and looked down at her bent head. She drew in her breath at the endearment and her hand trembled in mine but she nodded her head anyway.
“I’m sorry I got there so late.”
“How…how did you know? Did you see it on the news?”
“No, I’ve had my head of security watching over you for the past six or seven months.” Now she looked at me with something approaching fear in her eyes and tried pulling her hand away.
“Stop! It wasn’t meant to hurt you. I just figured since we couldn’t be together the least I could do is try to keep you safe. I know what your husband was into.”