Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
I shrug. “The rooms were cheap.”
“And Benton Park West is one of the worst neighborhoods in the fucking city. Do you know how lucky you are nothing happened to you?” His jaw ticks. “Riverview? There isn’t a fucking river within miles of that damn place.”
I thought the same thing when I stayed there, and yeah, the motel was crappy, the guy at the front desk was a creep, but no one bothered me. Granted, I leaned the box spring up against the window even though I was on the third floor and pushed the dresser against the door.
“You’re not going back there, Remi. I won’t allow it.”
“Allow it?” I cross my arms over my chest, the indignant side of me raring to go. “Need I remind you that you aren’t my father?”
I hate people bossing me around. Call it the number one pet peeve I have.
“Need I remind you what happened the last time you told me that?” His eyes burn hot, tongue licking out at his lips. “I’ll spank your ass again, if that’s what it takes.”
Heat pools low, but I manage to keep my hips calm when the need to wiggle hits me.
“You going to finger me then walk away again?”
A slow smile spreads across his handsome face, mischievous and full of warning.
“I’m never leaving you again, baby.”
I refuse to listen to his promise. Looking forward to anything these days only leads to disappointment, and I’ve had enough of that to last several lifetimes.
“My hotel, Flynn. I need to pack my things and find a cheaper place to stay.”
He doesn’t take his eyes off me as he puts the truck in gear, and I can practically see the gears running in his head.
The drive to my hotel is once again silent although my head is swimming with my limited options.
“Fuck,” he grunts, forcing my eyes forward.
Paparazzi swarm the front of the hotel, making it impossible to go inside.
The tears that were threatening to fall overflow. It’s too much to handle. Despite the freedom I wanted, the hard work I’ve been putting in to be normal, it’s all crashing down around me. My parents are going to get exactly what they want—me back in New York right under their thumb.
“Change of plans,” he says as he drives past the front of the hotel.
“Where are we going?”
“My place.”
“Not a chance.” I know what going back there will lead to, and my heart can only take so many hits. Despite the promises of not letting me go, of always catching me when I run, my heart can’t take more disappointment. I wouldn’t survive him walking away again or changing his mind. There’s safety in being alone, and that’s what I’m determined to be. “Take me to Riverview. I can call and make arrangements to get my things later once they get tired of waiting out front.”
He doesn’t say a word, but the neighborhood as he drives gets better not worse. I want to scream when he pulls into his designated parking spot at his building. He doesn’t say a word as he turns off the truck and climbs out. With arms still crossed over my chest and my stubbornness shielding me, I don’t even look at him when he pulls open the passenger door.
“I’ll throw you over my shoulder again.”
I look out the driver’s side window, refusing to look his direction. “Take me to Riverview.”
“I’m not staying in that shitty hotel when I have a perfectly nice condo.”
“Good,” I snap. “You weren’t invited to stay. Just drop me off.”
“No.”
I growl—this insufferable man.
“Walk or be carried, Remi. Take your pick.”
“I’ll call for a cab.” I can’t really afford it but walking all the way there would take all damn day.
My phone is snatched away, a teasing smile on his lips as he shoves it in his back pocket.
“I need you safe.” His voice lowers, all joking gone from his tone. “I’m not going to force you to stay in my bed. That’s not why you’re here.”
Why does that make me a little sad to hear?
“I have a spare bedroom. It’s yours until we can find something else.”
“I’m not—” He holds his hand up to silence me.
“Just come inside until I can make arrangements for your things to be pulled from your hotel room. You don’t have to make all your decisions right now.”
Needing help doesn’t make you helpless.
Those words are what convince me to get out of the truck.
“I’ll stay today only,” I say more for my own benefit than his.
“Okay.” He doesn’t sound convinced but his delusions aren’t my problem.
I shrug away from his hand when he lowers it to the small of my back to guide me toward the elevator. I’m desperate for his touch, and that makes everything worse.
“Like I said, the room is yours for as long as you want,” he repeats as we walk into his condo.