Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40566 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
“Thank you.” I’m barely in my seat, the door is shut, and that’s about it when Sutton says those two words.
“It’s not much to give you a ride home, babe.” I take care of my seatbelt, then one hand goes to the wheel, the other shifts us into Reverse, and while my eyes need to be behind me, it’s hard to keep them off Sutton.
“You and I both know it’s more than that.” She ducks her head, fingers going to her hair, tucking the tendrils behind her ear.
“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t want to.” She still doesn’t give me her eyes. There’s no need to fill the air with useless conversation, and she clearly needs a moment. We navigate down the road in silence; the radio isn’t even on. When Case is in the truck, he’s usually talking about this and that or he’s singing at the top of his lungs. When I get a chance to ride in complete peace, I don’t even bother with anything else. It’s my time. There’s no answering calls or changing the channel; it’s me and the road noise. I flip my signal to turn, taking us away from the downtown square and heading into the small neighborhood Sutton resides in. We’re a street away when I look over at her. Her shoulders are up to her damn ears. It’s only when I pull onto her street that she relaxes. Looks like Shane isn’t home tonight. Why he has a vehicle and Sutton doesn’t is another fucking phenomenon.
“Sit tight,” I tell her after I park in the driveway. She’s still quiet, which means life is going to suck for me when I try to give her the goods from Mom. That’ll be too damn bad. I’ll walk the shit inside her house if it means she has what she needs.
“Ryland,” she says.
“Come on, I’ll walk you up. Mom has some stuff for you.” I may as well let the cat out of the bag. I’m prepared for her to come up with a million and one excuses as to why she won’t take it, but instead, Sutton does the opposite.
“Okay.” I hold my hand out for her to take, and once she’s on solid ground, I grab her stuff from the back. I warned Mom to pair it down, not go overboard, and to make it fit into one bag. Well, Catherine Johnson does what Catherine Johnson wants. The bag is canvas style, massive and filled to the brim.
When a high-pitched noise comes from Sutton, my head spins on a swivel worried something spooked her.
“Everything alright?” I ask.
“She does too much.” She is looking at the bag in my hand.
“You expect anything different? This is my mom we’re talking about.” A small laugh escapes her. A look of shock comes right after, like any type of enjoyment at this house never happens anymore. Damn shame. Ms. Taylor and Sutton were full of laughs when she was still with us.
“This is true, and I already know what will happen if I say no and send you back with them.” I’m sure she will come up with some kind of plan in the form of repayment. That’ll be between her and Mom. Pretty sure she knows not to do that with me.
“Yeah, come on. You’re tired and need to get some rest,” I say, guiding her up the small and uneven walkway. I have to bite my tongue once again with the shit I’m seeing. Her house needs some repair work, and while I’d have no problem lending a helping hand, I won’t be while Shane is around.
“A hot shower and my bed sound really good about now,” Sutton says in between yawning. My fucking cock decides to stir beneath my jeans. There’s no telling him to calm down, either. I tried before, refusing to jack off to thoughts of Sutton, but it didn’t work. If I’m going to hell, at least it’ll be to thoughts of Sutton Rawlins.
“Keys,” I grunt, ready to open the door and get back home. There’ll be no sleeping for me until I take care of myself. Thoughts of Sutton wet and then in bed are doing nothing to calm my raging desire. “Your husband is a piss-poor excuse of a man.” Holding back is no longer an option. The lock is useless, a deadbolt that slides aside all too easily. A shimmy of the door, and anyone could be inside. Add in the rotting wooden front porch, and this more than pisses me the fuck off.
“Why does everyone still keep saying I’m married to Shane? Good grief, for a small town, the gossip sure isn’t traveling fast.” Sutton walks inside, taking the bag out of my hand. “Thank you for the ride, Ryland. Good night.” She closes the door. I hear the deadbolt latch and am scratching my fucking head at the statement she just tossed my way.