Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Finally, I nod. I’ll register on Monday morning. But first, there’s a soldier I have to find.
I’m still trying to shrug into my backpack as I step outside, bumping into someone. Instantly, strong arms go around my hips to steady me.
I know from the way the air around me electrifies that it’s Ryan. “You found me,” I say. Even after I ran, he was still looking for me.
“Do you have any idea how many independent bookstores there are in Asheville?” He asks me. “I’ve been to four of them looking for a woman with purple hair.”
I stare up into his face underneath the streetlight. “Why?” My heart is pounding, and my stomach is fluttering.
“Because I love you and I want you by my side.” His chest heaves, and he has the same intense look of concentration on his face as he did in the bathroom. “And if you have to run every day for the rest of your life, that’s OK. Because you have someone that’s willing to run with you.”
“Are you saying you’d give up your job and your whole life for me?” There’s a voice inside of me saying this is too good to be true, but I tell that voice to shut the hell up.
“Without hesitation.” He tightens his hold on my hips.
“I ashaya du.” I have to work hard to pronounce the words correctly.
His eyes light up and his lips twitch. “Did you say you love me in Vulcan, you little dork?”
I smack his shoulder lightly. “You knew what I said so you’re the bigger dork.”
He nuzzles my hair. “Say it again.”
“I love you,” I whisper the words.
“I love you too,” he whispers. “There are three promises I’ll give you today. I’ll always say it back. I’ll always want you in my life. I’ll always find you.”
“I don’t want to run anymore.” I shiver as his lips brush my jaw. I feel like I’m about to jump out of an airplane with no parachute. “Would you take me home?”
“Always, kitten,” he says before he kisses me until I’m breathless and dizzy. “You always have a home with me.”
For the first time in my life, I’m wanted. I’m wanted by the guy who makes my heart beat fast, my panties go damp, and my stomach flip. He’s perfect and he’s all mine.
10
LACEY
I smash the fire alarm when it won’t stop going off. Unfortunately, bashing it repeatedly doesn’t inspire it to quit screeching.
It’s not long before Ryan is in the kitchen. He eyes me on the chair again, somehow looking both rumpled and sexy at the same time.
“Do I need to get it?” He has to shout the words over the blaring noise.
Our neighbors don’t even freak out when they hear the sound of the fire alarm coming from Eric’s apartment anymore.
I hop off the chair so he can get to it. Within seconds, Ryan has the alarm dismantled and there’s a blissful moment of silence.
“That thing hates me,” I insist, going back to the blackened omelet. So much for surprising Ryan with breakfast in bed. It’s our one-month anniversary and I wanted to do something special.
“I’ve told you before to pop the cover off,” he gently chides as he comes up behind me. He pulls me against his strong chest. He’s been shirtless around me a lot more since I mentioned how much I like his body.
“Is that for me?” He nibbles on my ear. He knows I’m a pancakes and bacon kind of girl.
“It’s our one-month anniversary.” I slump my shoulders. “I’m being a total dork about this.”
When you’ve never gotten to stay anywhere for longer than a few days or a couple of weeks, a month feels huge. Like a year.
“You’re my dork.” He squeezes me tighter and his arousal nestles against my bottom. “Besides, I got you a present.”
I reach for the waistband of his track pants. “I can’t wait to open it.”
He chuckles. “Not that. Although you can have it, too. Just wait here a minute.” He leaves the kitchen. “Close your eyes and no peeking.”
I cover my eyes with my hands. “What did you get me?” Ryan is constantly giving me gifts. Last week, it was a keychain with a compass so I could always find my way home.
He enters the kitchen and I feel his body heat as he steps near me. He presses paper into my palm. “Alright, open.”
I glance at two tickets and it takes me a moment to realize what they are. “Did you get us tickets for the Red Shirt Museum?”
He grins. “It seemed like it would be a fun way to celebrate your birthday in September.”
I throw my arms around his shoulders and pull him close. “This is going to be so cool. I’ll talk to you in Vulcan the whole time.”
He laughs and kisses my forehead. “Promise me you’ll say dirty things.”