Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
A pitiful sound pierces the air. Skye has her hands over her ears, and her eyes scrunched tightly shut. She’s braced so still, it’s like she isn’t breathing at all.
Pity trickles down my throat and into my chest, but it only makes me angrier. Women know how to manipulate men. It’s in their DNA. She’s trying to make me feel sorry for her, so she’ll have an easy year. If she has her way, Finn will wait on her hand and foot, and West will have his face permanently between her thighs. She’ll be calling the shots. Of that, I’m sure.
I decided a long time ago that I would never let a woman under my skin, and I intend to keep my promise.
“If this shit carries on, she’s out of here. Do you understand? We already have one stray dog under this roof. We don’t need another.”
The words are out, rippling around the bare-beamed room like a clap of angry thunder before I’ve had a chance to think about their impact. My tongue stings as Finn’s cheeks flash red, and he turns his back on me without a second thought and lumbers over to Skye. West appears momentarily stunned into silence, heaving in his huge chest and exhaling loudly.
“Oh man, even for you, that was low!” He stands stock still, watching me, his eyes portraying something I can’t figure out.
Is that pity or hatred?
My heart hammers in my chest as I turn to face the porch for my escape, but instead, I storm in the direction of my room. In my haste, my thigh catches one of the table legs, and Skye’s glass, which must have been dangerously close to the edge and still full, tumbles to the floor. I carry on going despite the sound of shattered glass and the splash of the blood-red wine as it splatters to the ground.
Slamming my bedroom door with a force that vibrates the walls, I glance at my appearance in the mirror hanging over the dresser. I’m a disheveled wreck of a man, and my eyes are wild and crazy, as sharp, and dangerous as the glass on the kitchen floor. The smell of sweat sticking to my body cloys in the back of my throat, and I rip open my shirt so fast that buttons bounce off the floorboards. My erratic breathing makes my head spin, and I throw open the window, letting in a rush of icy frigid air that slaps me around the face and makes me shudder.
The sounds and scent of the forest are no comfort.
I kick off my boots and peel off my socks, and on autopilot, I strip the rest of my clothes from my weary body and head to the shower.
The warm water does nothing to soothe me. Dirt and sweat wash from my hair and skin, but the thick black feeling wedged inside me stays put. I press my palms against the cool tiles, letting the steaming water run over my face, holding my breath longer than is comfortable.
This is why I didn’t want a woman here. One-night stands are one thing, but someone around all the time, getting under my skin is just too fucking much.
Skye’s just too sweet, and it’s sickly. Fake. It reminds me too much of the past when I felt helpless.
I swipe at my face, angry that I let my emotions out, even in rage.
It’s as much of a display of weakness as Finn’s kindness.
I can’t allow it to happen again.
When I’m done, I use my worn, rough towel to dry myself, and then I throw myself down on the bed, which creaks and moans under my weight.
I should go right back out there and drag her in here. She needs to learn what it takes to be a woman in this house. I’m not scared of West’s or Finn’s disapproval, but I did overstep the mark. I need to chill the fuck out before I give myself a stroke.
My hand finds my cock, and I lay back, letting my knees drop and slacken. Using my precum as lubrication, I circle my thumb around the head of my erection, and as my lids flicker, I move my gaze to the window and then over towards the mirror. The height of it allows me to tip my face out of the scene so that I don’t have to look into my own eyes. I have the choice of looking down at my throbbing cock as I grip and pull firmer and faster, but I decide to watch my reflection as if I’m detached from myself.
I see a powerful man with a huge handful of raw energy. My arm muscles are tight, and my forearms grip with obscene strength. While I’m doing this, I feel numb inside. I can chase away the memories that haunt me.