Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57499 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57499 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
""If you get too cold let me know; there's a space heater out here."
I sat next to her, my arms going around her as she laid her head on my chest.
"What if I need more time than you're willing to give?" The question came out of nowhere but I was ready.
"Not gonna happen, I've already waited ten years, not saying I want to wait another ten, but I'm willing to go at your pace, you're more than worth the wait." I kissed her head and hugged her close.
She started to cry, soft sobs at first that tore at my heart. Then they became racking sobs that scared the hell out of me.
"Shit babe, what did I do? I'm sorry." I rubbed her back comfortingly, while trying to dry her tears and figure out just what the fuck I’d done.
"Come on Shania, please baby, just tell me what I did, please."
She shook her head while clutching my shirt in her fists.
I don’t recall a woman’s tears moving me to madness, or tearing up my insides before. I felt out of my depth here because there was no physical threat for me to vanquish. Just heart rending tears that left me feeling helpless.
"You didn't do anything, it was me. I...I…oh my…I almost married someone else, someone who so isn't deserving of me, what if I had gone through with it?
I would never have known what you've made me feel in the last few hours, never felt so loved and cherished. How is it possible that that could've happened?"
"Shh, baby, calm down.” She was hyperventilating in my arms. “The important thing is that it didn't. There's nothing to be ashamed of, I've had relationships over the years too you know."
"Yeah I know Chase, I've been knowing since I was sixteen." She punched me playfully in the gut. At least she wasn’t crying her heart out anymore; damn, I never knew a woman’s tears could have such an effect on me.
"Hey none of that now; you can't hold those past flings against me, besides, they were just practice until I got to the real thing, and trust me babe none of them could ever come close."
I tried for a lighter note because I really wasn’t ready for what her tears did to me. I wanted to punch someone, but there was no one to punch.
We spent the rest of our date talking softly, sharing some of what we’d missed in each other’s lives over the past few years.
The years just seemed to melt away under the stars as I stole as many kisses as I could, while holding her close to my heart.
When it was getting too late to keep her out anymore I hated letting her go. We were both dragging our feet on our way out to the car.
I took my time driving her back to her house, plotting my next move all the way. I plan to see her everyday if possible.
By the time I was through, she won’t even remember the dickhead she’d been engaged to.
I walked her to the door, stealing one last kiss before the Spalding boys descended upon us. I wouldn't put it past them to be spying, the jerks.
"I'll see you tomorrow, we'll do something, I don't know what yet but I'll think of something. Sleep tight sweetheart and dream of me." I kissed her hair and walked away.
Chapter 12
DONOVAN
When I got back home that night I had to call her. Like two teenagers who’d just found first love, we talked until the wee hours of the morning, when she finally fell asleep. Damn.
I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep myself from wanting more. I had to keep reminding myself that we had only just begun and that all the years I'd spent wanting her didn't play into the situation.
On the one hand I didn't want to rush her, and on the other it felt like I had waited a lifetime.
I stopped by the flower shop early the next day on my way to work. This morning’s fare was pink and white roses.
Regardless of what the Spalding men had said, she still got seven dozen again.
This time I remembered to send her mom some tulips, which were her favorite.
I hit the ground running from the time I reached the station, apparently I had been right and our DB was the missing agent.
The captain was fighting with the Feds over jurisdiction, which was a losing battle if I ever saw one.
The guy was like a bull terrier, he knew the outcome, but he will argue to the death, just for the sake of argument.
"Chase, get in here."
Oh boy, he's on the warpath; and just how in the hell did I get dragged into it?
I just wanted to get to my office, call my girl and wish her a nice day. Guess that was gonna have to wait.