Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 95676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
"How do you know all that?" I ask, stunned. Not even Erin knows about the homeless shelter. I didn't think anyone knows I'm the one who drops money into the box every weekend.
"Told you I knew the first time I saw you that you aren't the person we're looking for," he says with a smile, reaching out to trace my bottom lip with his index finger. "I spent days looking into you before I came to see you at Mitch's. Had to meet you to see for myself why everyone loved you. Can't say you disappointed me. You're fucking phenomenal."
"I don't know what to say," I whisper. "You followed me home from the bar?"
"Had to," he mumbles, pulling me closer with a hand on the nape of my neck. "Had to make sure you were who I thought you were. I didn't do it to scare you."
"Didn't think you did," I mumble back, my gaze riveted to his mouth. If he were anyone else, alarm bells would be ringing all over the place at his admission that he followed me home from the bar. But knowing he did doesn't scare me in the least. It's oddly…sweet, even if he was trying to make sure I wasn't a crazy murderer. "What happens if you have to arrest me, Cam?"
"Don't go there."
"I have to," I whisper, swallowing against the fear the mere thought sends rippling through me. "Even if this isn't your case, it could be. If they find…" I take a deep breath and try again. "If they find his body, you may have to arrest me."
"That's not going to happen."
"How do you know that?" I demand, pushing against his chest until I'm sitting on my knees between his legs. "You can't just wish this all away. You know it doesn't work that way."
"For one thing, this isn't my case, so I won't be the one arresting you. I'm involved only because Octavio called and asked me for a favor. And because of you. For another, we're going to find out who's behind this."
"How? I don't even know where to start!" And I don't want to cry over this anymore, but a damn tear rolls down my cheek anyway. "All I know is that someone is doing this to me. Where do I start looking for a suspect? How do I find out who hates me enough to ruin my life?"
"Come here," he says, his expression softening as he reaches out to tug me back into his arms.
He's so strong. I don't stand a chance of fighting him off. I don't really even try to do so. Instead, I let him tug me forward until I'm lying against his chest, my face buried in his neck. He runs his hands up and down my back, soothing me while my tears soak into his skin.
"It's okay, kitten," he murmurs over and over. "You're going to be okay."
I'm not sure if I believe him or not, but eventually, my cries slow. He doesn't let me go, though. He just holds me, his heart beating a steady rhythm against my ear. He's warm and strong and makes me feel so safe. His tender words ease me, lulling me to the edge of sleep.
"I need you to trust that I will find out who's behind this," he says as I drift in his arms. "I know what I'm doing. You just have to give me time to do my job."
"Mm," I mumble.
"I'm not going let anything happen to you," he whispers, a fervent promise in his voice. "I can't let anything happen to you."
Sleep pulls me under.
I wake up disoriented, only to find that Cam left a note on the coffee table for me.
Sleep, kitten, it reads in bold, elegant print. And stop worrying. Everything will be okay.
I want to ask him how he knows everything will be fine, but he isn't here and it's far too late to call him. Instead, I grab his note and carry it into the bathroom with me. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I quickly strip out of my clothes and hit the lights before hesitating.
Reaching into the hamper, I grab the shirt I just took off, snatch his note off the counter, and stumble toward my room. I tuck his note away in the cover of my Kindle, snuggle up with my shirt that smells like him, and fall back to sleep.
My phone wakes me early the next morning. I groan and roll toward my nightstand, reaching blindly for my cell. Once I have it in hand, I snuggle back up beneath the blankets, not ready to leave the warmth and comfort of the bed. Thanks to the shirt wrapped around my pillow, Cam's scent is all over me. I feel peaceful for the first time in days, as if he watched over me in my sleep, easing my mind.