Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
He follows me over the edge, filling my pussy with so much come that it’s dripping everywhere. He’s marked me and claimed me as his. Now, I can only hope that I really am pregnant with his child.
He finally stops moving inside of me, but he doesn’t pull out. He turns our bodies until I’m lying on top of him. “Never be afraid.”
“Of what?” I’m too warm and sated to move a muscle. Too overcome with endorphins to even remember what I was so worried about earlier.
“Never be afraid to let me love you,” he says softly as I drift to sleep with my head pressed against his pounding chest.
Hours later, something pulls me from sleep. I open my eyes to realize the room is dark. I’m tucked in Noah’s arms, but it sounds again. I realize it’s my phone. I didn’t text Walt that I was staying over tonight. I hate the idea that I may have worried him, so I slip from the bed, careful not to wake Noah.
I have to trail through the house because we dropped clothes everywhere. In the living room, I trip over Noah’s pants, something catching my foot. When I regain my balance, I reach for them and yank a square box from his pocket. A wave of nausea goes through me. It’s not what I think it is. Please, don’t let it be.
But the moment I flick open the jewelry box and spot the ruby ring, bile climbs my throat. This is too much. Noah is going to ask me to marry him. It’s only a matter of time before I disappoint him. I can’t breathe when I think about him looking at me with disappointment evident on his face.
No, I have to stop this before it goes too far. It’s the only way to protect both of us. With trembling fingers, I find my phone in the pocket of my discarded skirt and send a quick text back to Walt, reassuring him that I’m fine and spending the night with Noah.
As soon as I send the text, I get dressed quickly. I move around the house and collect my things. I even manage to convince Mr. Darcy to get into his pet carrier without too much of a fuss.
In just under two hours, my vehicle is packed, and I’m passing the sign that informs me I’m leaving the limits of Courage County. I blink back tears when I see it and remind myself that I don’t have a home. I never have. I never will.
Chapter 14
Noah
It’s not just that Lizzy isn’t in my bed. I can’t feel her presence in the cabin. Despite the sun shining in through my window, it’s cold and lonely here. I don’t bother calling her name as I search the place. It’s not lost on me that every trace of her is gone. Her clothes aren’t strewn everywhere, the toys for Mr. Darcy are missing, and so are all her toiletries from the bathroom.
I knew she’d run from me eventually though I’d hoped it wouldn’t be the case. But it doesn’t matter how many times she runs, I’ll always be the cowboy that goes after her.
I don’t bother to eat breakfast or shower. I just throw on some old clothes, brush my teeth, and I’m out the door in my truck. It’s normally a long drive into town, but I make it in half the time because I’m so damn eager to see my girl.
I stop my truck in Walt’s driveway and take the steps up his porch two at a time. I bang loudly on the front door until he comes out, scowling at me. “Why is there a burr up your butt this early in the morning?”
“Where is she?” I ask, my heart in my throat.
Guilt flashes across his expression. “Who?”
The same sense I got at dinner the other night with him is back again. But I’m too eager to find Lizzy and reassure her to worry about him. “Lizzy. Where is Lizzy?”
He relaxes, understanding crosses his features. “She texted me last night that she was at your place. I haven’t seen her this morning.”
I move past him and stomp down the hallway. But her room is also empty. All of her things are there though, like she just stepped out.
I decide to check the bookstore next. I want her back in my arms. I want to feel her head nestled under my chin. I want to remind her that she’s my whole world and nothing she says or does can ever change that.
After Walt’s place, I check the book shop. It’s still closed, and the lights are off when I pull up. Her truck isn’t in the parking lot either.
I search all over town, starting with the library. Finally, it’s mid-afternoon, and I’ve canvassed every possible shop, store, and random location where she could be. I’ve texted her a dozen times and tried to call her several more, but her phone is off or out of service.