Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 118333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Running my hand down his stubbled cheek, I asked, “Is he . . .?”
“It’s been taken care of,” Tanner said and then pressed his lips to mine. I kissed him back, savoring his taste and the feel of him.
When he broke away, I ignored the trembling of my lip and whispered, “You can never come back.” My hand shook as I ran my fingers over his shaved head. “If Diego ever finds out you killed Vincente . . .” I trailed off, not even wanting to say those words aloud, fearful that if I let them out into the universe it could somehow make them come true.
Tanner looked away. “I killed him for us. He was going to say something. I had to protect you.”
“I’m not mad.” I placed my hands on his face and turned him so I could meet his eyes. “He was going to kill you.” I swallowed back the lump blocking my throat. Words I had to say didn’t want to leave my mouth, but they had to be said. We were on a countdown now. Tanner was leaving soon . . . and he could never return. “Mi amor,” I half whispered, the endearment feeling so right as I addressed it to this man. Tanner’s eyes melted from worry to sadness. His hands tightened on my waist, holding on, like he never wanted to let go.
“We can never be,” I whispered. I was sure I felt my heart break into a million pieces. Tanner shook his head, ready to argue, but I placed my finger on his lips—lips that had once uttered derogatory words. Lips I now had come to adore . . . no, need. As much as I needed air in my lungs. “Please don’t,” I urged, feeling a tear slip from the corner of my eye. I took a deep breath, then stated, “I love you, Tanner Ayers.” I laughed at the absurdity of our situation. I was cartel. He was Klan. A fish and a bird had more of a chance of living a happy life together than we did. Tanner sucked in a sharp breath and held me closer. I smiled even though I was breaking. “I hated you. Then wanted you . . . now I both love and need you. Completely.” My smile faded and a silent sob fell from my lips. “My prince. My love . . . my life.” I studied every part of his face. Committed his scent to memory. Branded invisible tattoos of his touch on my skin.
“I love you too,” Tanner rasped. In the silence, I was sure I could I hear my soul cry. Tanner’s hand trailed up my arm and rested on the side of my neck. “Fuck, Adelita . . . I love you. I need you.”
My forehead fell to his and we simply breathed. My body and mind were exhausted with the events of the day. But my spirit was worse—it had expired, knowing I would never have this man walking beside me in life.
“I’ll leave,” Tanner announced and pushed back my face only a fraction from his. I saw the promise in his gaze. My heart jumped from dormant to a sprint in mere seconds. “I’ll leave the Klan.”
“Tanner . . .”
“It’s wrong. I know it now.” I opened my mouth to argue, but he kissed me, silencing me. “I’m done. I’m done with it all. My father. The fucking misery of living in that life.” Tanner’s eyes shone and the sight was my undoing. I stayed his unfallen tears with a kiss on each of his eyes. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to straddle his lap. “I want you, Adelita Quintana.” His voice was thick yet certain. “I want you. Nothing else matters.”
I couldn’t read the expression on Tanner’s face. I knew this side of Tanner by now. He had something to say; he just needed time to get the words out. Pressing his lips to mine, he rolled me over until he was above me. His kiss was slow and soft and unhurried. I let him take the lead. He kissed along my neck and down to my chest. My hands slipped along his shaved head, just before he sat up. Tanner held out his hand and I took it. He wordlessly guided me up. He sat back on his haunches and tore off a strip of material from his white shirt.
I didn’t know what he was doing. But when he reached for my left hand and brought it to his mouth. When he singled out my ring finger and placed the softest of kisses on my skin, my heart began to flutter. “Lita,” Tanner said and took the small strip of white cotton he was holding in his hand. He slipped it around my finger, then tied the edges until the scrap of cotton made a ring. My hands were shaking. I brought my eyes to meet his.