Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
You did it in public, Faith!
“I need to go to the bathroom,” she said as Reuben was wrapping up his speech.
Cat gave her a concerned look, but she ignored her.
She had to time this right. If she left too early, he’d just finish his speech mid-sentence and chase after her. Leave it too late and he’d be back at the table.
So, while they were handing him the certificate, she got up.
“Faith, sit down,” Alejandro said firmly.
“No.”
He gaped at her, his mouth slightly open.
Yikes.
Had she really just told Alejandro De Leon no?
Seemed that she had. She rushed away as she heard Cat calling out for her. She felt terrible about leaving her new friend. But she had to get some fresh air. She had to think about all of this for a moment without having Reuben clouding up her mind. Filling it with lust and need.
Okay, that wasn’t fair.
She could have told him no. Even if he had threatened to edge her, he would have listened to her.
Wouldn’t he?
Fuck. She didn’t know. She was walking out of the building before she realized her mistake. Crap.
She didn’t have a ticket to get back in. And she also didn’t have Cammie’s jacket. Reuben held the ticket for the coat check.
Shit! She didn’t have any shoes on either. Her feet were already freezing.
Idiot.
A shiver ran through her and her teeth chattered as she looked around. What was she going to do now?
Run away?
Urgh, you’re being an idiot, Faith.
This is what you always do. You run from your problems rather than face them.
Shame had her curling her shoulders over.
Idiot.
She should have just shaken off what that asshole had said and enjoyed the rest of her night.
Glancing around, she frowned as she saw someone who looked familiar.
Was that the same guy who was looking for the accountant the other night when she was waiting for Steven to pick her up?
She took a step forward. But he disappeared into the shadows.
Nah. It was dark, and it was probably just someone who looked similar.
Suddenly, a large arm wrapped around her waist, making her scream.
Oh God!
Someone had grabbed her. They were going to kidnap her! Why hadn’t she stayed where the doorman could see her?
She wriggled, trying to loosen his hold on her. Bringing one foot forward so she could kick back at her captor when he bent to place his mouth by her ear.
“Don’t even think about kicking me. Baby, you are in such deep trouble. I hope you don’t expect to sit comfortably tomorrow.”
Fudge knuckles.
29
Rule Five: Always run to me. Never away
Reuben couldn’t believe that she’d run off.
She’d left the damn building without him. It was dark outside. This was fucking New York City, not the middle-of-nowhere, Missouri.
She couldn’t just wander off. If something happened to her . . . yeah, he didn’t want to even think that.
But anyone who touched her would be a dead man.
He nodded to Cairn, who’d followed her out without letting on. She didn’t know Cairn and he would have frightened her if he’d grabbed her.
Pulling out his phone, he sent a text to Steven.
“R-Reuben? What are you doing? Shouldn’t we go back in?” she asked.
Her teeth were chattering. He slid off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her, placing her arms in the sleeves before he did up the buttons.
She looked like a little girl playing dress up in Daddy’s clothes.
He liked it.
Then his gaze hit her feet. Fuck! She wasn’t even wearing shoes! What was she thinking?
“Reuben? Are you going to talk to me?” she asked. Her large, pale blue eyes were wide and pleading.
He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
He’d expected to feel anger at her behavior.
What he hadn’t expected was the sheer panic he’d felt for that short time she’d been out of his sight.
This was getting out of control.
Move her in with you. Protect her. Take over her life.
Soon. He’d give in to the need soon. First, he had to make certain that she was strong enough for him.
He thought she was.
Even though she was predominantly a people pleaser, Faith had an inner strength.
After all, she’d just defied Alejandro. Most grown men wouldn’t be able to do that.
Reuben cupped the side of her face, staring down at her. He didn’t know exactly what that fucker, Leonard, had said to her. But he would find out.
And then he would destroy him.
“No, we’re not going in. We’re going home. You’re in big trouble, Little Blossom, and you earned yourself a punishment. You’re going to learn to run to me, never away.”
He ran his thumb over her lower lip, which was trembling.
Poor baby.
“R-Reuben?”
“So fucking beautiful. Especially when you’re scared. But you don’t need to fear me.”
“You just threatened me.”
“I didn’t threaten you, that was a promise.”
“Oh God. That isn’t any better.”
“Isn’t it? How about this? I promise I will always come for you. I promise I will always stand between you and danger. And that when you break the rules, I will punish you. Because I promise to always keep you safe. Even from yourself.”