Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
It was late fall. I’d just turned eighteen, football games were wrapping up, and the cool nights of winter were sneaking in. He was home on holiday leave and wanted us to have a special night together. He filled the entire bed of his truck with blankets and pillows, and he’d fixed us a picnic with sandwiches and chips. It wasn’t much, but it made the night even more memorable.
I looked over at him, amazed at just how good-looking he was. There was no doubt I was attracted to him. I always had been, but any girl in her right mind would be attracted to all those rippling muscles and his gorgeous face.
And good lord, those eyes—his eyes were what dreams were made of. But it was more than just his looks I was drawn to. He was brilliant and charming in a way you wouldn’t expect from such a tough guy, and he was thoughtful and loving, even when he wasn’t trying to be. I loved that he was protective, not just with me but with everyone he cared about.
“You didn’t have to do all this.”
“Yeah, I did.” He leaned over and kissed me on the neck. “Gotta make sure my girl knows how much I love her.”
“I do know.” He was still kissing me on the neck when I said, “That’s why I think it’s time.”
He eased back, and his eyes locked on mine. “You sure about that? Cause I’m good. We don’t have to do anything you aren’t ready to do.”
“I am ready,” I pushed. “I’ve been ready. I even got on the pill a couple of months ago.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I was waiting for the right time.”
“And you’re sure this is it?”
“I’m more than sure.”
He gave me a look that made my breath catch in my throat. I’d dreamed of being with him a thousand times and couldn’t imagine wanting anything more. He brought his hands to my face, gently cupping his palms along my jaw as he lowered his lips to mine, kissing me with a passion I’d never even known was possible.
Our hunger for each other took over, causing the kiss to become wild and heated. In a matter of seconds, our clothes were tossed to the side, and Holt was lowering me down on the blanket.
What started as rushed and impatient desire slowly slipped into something soft and tender. I felt so safe in his arms, like nothing in the world could harm me as long as he was holding me close. We spent hours making love in the back of that truck, and when we were done, we were both exhausted and completely satiated.
I slipped back on my clothes and nestled up next to him as I stared up at the stars. As I lay there in his arms, I felt like everything was right in the world. I missed that feeling more than I cared to admit.
I was still lost in my thoughts when my phone chimed with a text message. I pulled it from my pocket and saw that it was a message. I had no idea how he got my number, but as soon as I read it, I knew it was from Holt.
Unknown:
Change of plans.
Meet me at my house at 7.
207 Dawson Road.
Me:
Okay.
I’ll be there.
I wanted to take it as a good sign that he was willing to talk to me, but I wasn’t so sure. Things hadn’t exactly been going my way over the past few days. There were still no leads on my father’s case—at least, none that Detective Joyner was willing to share with us. They had agreed to release Dad’s body, but it wouldn’t be until later in the week.
Thankfully, that gave us more time to plan his memorial, even though I wasn’t really feeling the need to remember my father and all the not-so-wonderful things he’d done. So, I let Mom and Rooks handle all the arrangements, and Ford and I spent the day at my shop. I still had a ton of unpacking to do, and it was a much-needed distraction from Holt and our looming conversation.
I had so many things I wanted to say to him. I just prayed that he would give me a chance to say them, and I hoped that he would understand why I did what I did. I tried not to obsess over it too much and focused on getting my displays completed. I was already days behind, and if I didn’t push it, I would have to delay my grand opening—which was pretty inevitable at this point. There was just too much that needed to be done and zero time to do it.
After working for as long as I could, I gathered up my things, and Ford and I headed back to the hotel. I took a shower and tried to find something suitable to wear. I was trying on my third pair of jeans when Mom popped her head in and asked, “How’s it going?”