Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 142783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
I killed the engine and jumped out.
She was a fiery flame that flew across the garage.
“Aster.” I shouted it over the top of the car.
She kept going.
“Aster. Come on. Talk to me.”
She spun around, her bag clutched to her chest like it were a shield. “Come on? Come on? Screw you, Logan Lawson.” Agony convulsed in her throat. “You want to hurt me? Is that what all of this is about? Payback? Fine, you hurt me. You embarrassed me. You made me feel like a whore. The way all of them have always done. You win.”
She whirled back around and ran for the elevator. Her heels clacked frantically against the concrete.
“Aster.” I scrambled to catch up to her. “Would you wait?”
“No. Just leave me alone. I’ll get my things and go. I’ll figure this out on my own because I can’t do this. I can’t do this and clearly, you can’t, either.”
It was a rambled cry that hitched helplessly from her throat as she whirled back around.
It was right before her heel slipped on a patch of ice that had formed three feet in front of the elevator door.
My heart seized. “Aster!”
She yelped and tried to right herself, but she only sent herself hurtling the other direction, her arms flailing as her feet fully slipped out from underneath her.
She toppled backward.
I was running but I was too far away. I wasn’t even close to getting there before she landed hard on her left side. The air knocked from her lungs on a huge oomph when she slammed against the concrete.
When I made it to her, I dropped to my knees. “Aster, oh my god, Aster.”
I was over her, searching her face that was as pale as the concrete beneath her.
Every cell in her body was locked.
Her breaths and her blood and her tongue.
“Aster. Are you hurt? Tell me where you’re hurt, baby.”
Then a jagged, pained cry erupted from her chest. Her mouth split open, and her eyes pressed tight as tears streamed down her face.
“Aster. Fuck, are you okay?”
Another cry burst from her. She curled onto her side like she could protect herself from it all.
“Aster.”
“Leave me alone. Please.” She wept it, folding in on herself where she lay on the frozen, freezing concrete.
Carefully, I scooped her up. “I can’t.”
“Please,” she gasped and choked. “Leave me alone.”
I held her against my chest. “I already told you I take good care of what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours. I’m not. I’m not.” Each word was obliterated pain. Her mouth was open with a sob when she buried her face in my shirt. “I’m not.”
I tightened my hold, lifted her higher, and pressed my lips to her temple. “You’re wrong. You have always been.”
She burrowed her face deeper into my jacket.
Aster wept.
My heart cracked in half.
“I’ve got you,” I promised as I carried her to the elevator door. I managed to punch in the code, and thank fuck, it was already right there, the doors opening with a gush of warmth.
Aster shivered when we stepped inside, and I held her as the elevator whisked us to the top floor. My arms tightened around her as I carried her to the door and let us into my apartment.
It was dark inside except for the fire and the single light over the sink where Gretchen was doing dishes. She spun around. Her eyes widened and worry filled her face. “Oh, dear lord. What happened now? You are some kinda mess, aren’t you, sweet girl?”
She started our direction.
“I’ve got her.” I sent Gretchen a look that made her stop in her tracks. I continued across the floor.
Gretchen hesitated. I knew firsthand it went completely against her nature not to help.
“You let me know if you need me. I’ll be right here.”
“I know, Gretchen. I’ve got this. Just go to bed,” I instructed as I carried Aster the rest of the way into my room.
She continued to tremble and shake, her head burrowed so deep in my jacket I got the reckless sense that she might be able to build a home there.
That right there was where I was going to get destroyed.
I was the sucker in this fool’s game.
But it didn’t matter. It didn’t fucking matter. Nothing did except for her.
It was dim within my room, a chill in the air, winter pressing at the windows. I set Aster on the edge of my bed. “Sit right there.”
I moved for the fireplace and flicked the switch. Flames leapt to life. I wound out of my jacket as I made my way back to the woman watching me through the flames.
Wary.
Hurt.
But her breaks? They were bone deep. Wounds I couldn’t see but knew without question were there.
Her shoulders slumped but that fierce bravery she’d always worn fired from her eyes.
I believed her wholeheartedly.
She would find a way to do this on her own. Walk away if it meant her freedom. If it meant mine.