Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 74655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
I know.
I’ve seen that look on my own face before.
I don’t know if I should disturb him, so I just walk toward the steps. His voice stops me before I can even put my foot down.
“Where you goin’?”
I turn and glance at him. His eyes are focused on me now, face still hard and expressionless. It’s such a shame to see such a gorgeous face so broken and empty. So hard. I know, I just know if he smiled, he’d make the world come to a screeching halt.
“I was just going to explore a little, get some fresh air.”
He blinks, just once. “Any idea what’s out there?”
I stare out at the thick trees and rocks surrounding us and then look back to him. “Ah, that would be nature. Fresh air.”
“Also dangerous animals, slippery slopes ...”
I cross my arms. “And that’s supposed to bother me?”
“Don’t be a fuckin’ hero. Came here to protect you, not have you eaten by a fuckin’ wild animal on your first day.”
“Again, I’m unbothered. I just want some fresh air, hell, some space. I haven’t even been here a day with you, and I’m already restless.”
“Then I’m comin’ with you.”
He stands, and my mouth drops open to protest.
“Don’t fuckin’ bother arguin’. I have a job. I’m about as happy about it as you are, but we’re stuck here, which means where you go, I go. Can’t risk anythin’ happenin’ to you. I don’t fuckin’ fail my duties.”
Jesus.
Intense much.
“Fine, but don’t talk to me.”
He grunts and follows me down the front steps and off to a path that goes into the trees to the left of us. We came in from the other way, so I’m curious to see where this leads. Maybe a stream? That would be nice. Somewhere to swim. Up here, in the mountains, there are streams everywhere. It’s beautiful. Breathtaking scenery.
I go to ask Koda about it, considering the club owns this land, so he probably knows where this leads, but I did just ask him not to speak with me, so I keep my mouth shut and walk. I can hear his boots crunching behind me, and I’m suddenly very aware of him. I rub my arms consciously and keep moving. I wonder what I look like from behind? God, I hope I don’t look awful, because right now, he’s just watching me as I walk.
Awkward.
I move farther down the path, and the trees slowly start getting lusher and thicker, the rocks bolder and bigger, and I can’t mistake the sound of trickling water. A stream! Excitement bubbles in my chest. As a child, I loved to explore, but after my mother was killed, my entire childhood was taken from me. I miss the days of feeling free, of being able to adventure off and not have a care in the world.
No fear.
Just me.
I stop when the trail narrows down to a beautiful, crystal-clear river. It’s flowing, trickling over rocks, the sun making it sparkle in areas. My heart expands, and my body relaxes, just for a second. It’s still quite cold up here, especially at night, so I know the water is going to be freezing, but I don’t really care. I rush down, stopping at the edge of the stream and then launching my body into it without warning.
The cold water hits me hard, making me gasp. My whole body feels like it’s been sparked to life, and I close my eyes, diving back under, over and over, even though it’s so cold my teeth are chattering. It’s like being breathed a new life. It feels incredible. I surface, running my fingers through my hair and glancing over at Koda, who is perched on a rock, staring at me with a strange expression on his face. I swim over, climbing out of the water and finding a sunny spot.
“You’re goin’ to freeze in about five minutes, you know that, don’t you?” he says, his voice gruff.
“It’s the little things in life, Koda, that make people feel good. With good always comes bad. I’ll take the bad, in this case. Because that made me feel so damned good.”
He studies me, only for a moment, then shrugs his leather jacket off and tosses it at me. I catch it and immediately smell him on it. Mixed with the leather, it’s a unique, intoxicating smell. I stare at him. “It’ll get all wet inside. Aren’t these jackets sacred or some such thing?”
He snorts. “It’ll dry. Been through worse. Put it on so you don’t fuckin’ die.”
I run my fingers over the leather. It’s worn, well loved, and it holds so many stories. I wonder why Koda ever joined the club to begin with. Why does anyone join a club? Is it for protection? Or is it just because they have nobody left in the world, and these men are like family to them?