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)
I opened the door and quickly grabbed a pack of peanut butter crackers. By the time I turned back around, Holt had a bottle of juice from the fridge and was holding it out for me. “Perfect. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
I lingered for a moment, trying my best to gather the courage to ask the question I so desperately wanted to ask. Sensing something was up, Holt gave me one of his looks. “Something on your mind?”
“I’ve got so many things going through my head, I don’t even know which way is up anymore.”
“I understand that all too well, but we’ll get through it. We just need to figure out who these guys are and what they want.”
“And you think your brothers can really find them ‘cause I can always call Detective Joyner and…”
“The cops had their chance to find these guys and failed. Now, it’s our turn.”
“I’ve never heard of a biker club that fights bad guys.”
“We fight ‘em, but don’t get it twisted. We’re not the good guys.”
“I had a feeling you weren’t.”
Once again, I was struck by how much he’d changed. The boy in him was completely gone. He was all man, and every ounce of me was drawn to him like the tide to the shore. I wanted to wrap myself in him, hold him close, and pretend that everything was right in the world.
Unfortunately, it was anything but, and I wasn’t sure it would be ever again. Holt’s expression was intense as he took a step towards me. “I know this is a lot, but you can trust me, Tal. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know.” I placed the juice and crackers on the counter and crossed my arms. “Why are you doing this?”
“You know why.”
“I want to think that I do, but I’m not so sure.”
“You know.” His eyes never left mine as he took a step towards me. “You’ve always known. That’s why you’re standing here right now instead of staying at the safe house with your mother and brother.”
“But there’s so much. It’s too much.” My voice cracked as I asked, “How are we supposed to get past it all?”
“I don’t know.” He held my gaze for a moment and then took one final step that left him standing right in front of me. “I’m not even sure we can, but I’m damn well gonna try.”
Before I had time to think, he pulled me close and lowered his mouth to mine, kissing me with an intensity like I’d never known. His lips were soft and warm, and suddenly, I was leaning right into him.
His arms wound tight around me, inching me even closer as his tongue found its way into my mouth. He kissed me long and hard, and it was all I could do to keep myself from unraveling. I’d missed him. I’d missed his touch, his scent, and how incredibly safe I felt in his arms.
I was holding on by a thread, and just as I was becoming completely lost in his touch, he pulled back, quickly breaking our embrace. His eyes danced with lust as they locked on mine. He lifted his hand up to my mouth, gently brushing the pad of his thumb across my bottom lip, and said, “Even better than I remembered.”
“So, now what?”
“I’ve gotta get to the clubhouse and check on some things. We’ll pick up from here when I get back.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Not sure. A couple of hours. Maybe more, but Duggar will be here to keep an eye on things. If you need anything, just let him know, and he’ll handle it.”
“Okay.”
He kissed me on the forehead, then turned and headed for the door.
As soon as he walked out, I stepped over to the window and eased the curtain back, watching as he made his way out to his Harley. He moved with such purpose, like nothing could stand in his way. He swung a leg over the bike, and seconds later, the engine roared to life.
I brought my hand up to my mouth and ran my fingertip along my bottom lip. It was still tingling after our kiss, and I wanted to hold onto the feeling a little longer. It had been so long since I’d been kissed like that, and I wanted to savor the moment.
I was wondering if we might kiss again when I heard Ford call out, “Mom?”
“Hey, kiddo. I’m sorry! I’m coming.”
With a deep breath, I tore myself away from the window and grabbed the juice and crackers from the counter. I carried them both to Ford’s room, and he barely looked up as he muttered, “Thanks, Mom.”
“You need anything else?”
“Nope, I’m good.”
“Okay. I’m going to go to my room and call your grandmother.”
“Um-hmm.”
He was deep into his game, so I turned and made my way down the hall. The house felt big and unfamiliar, but I felt oddly safe as I made my way into the bedroom. I grabbed my phone from my purse, then sat on the edge of the bed and dialed my mother’s number.