Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“I think you ruined me,” I tease.
He rolls, pinning me under him. “You’re mine to ruin, are you not?”
“Yes.” I wrap my legs around him. I want him to ruin me over and over.
“Charlie!” The banging starts again, my mother’s screams interrupting us.
“I need to face her, but you ripped my shirt.”
“You can wear one of mine.” He kisses me before rolling off me. I watch as Rowan strolls from the bed naked. His ass is even muscled. I prop myself up on my elbow, taking in every inch of him.
This is the happiest I’ve been in my life. I never belong, but Rowan doesn’t mind my strange quirks. Or that I blurt out whatever is on my mind. Oftentimes, I can make more of a mess of things than help. None of that bothers him. It always earns me one of his rare smirks that I notice only I get.
“This work?” Rowan comes back fully dressed and hands me a flannel. I take it from him and start to put it on. “Bra. You’re not going out there with Charlie Brown and no bra on.”
“Who is Charlie Brown?” It sounds vaguely familiar, but I can’t place it.
“Fuck me. I really am a cradle robber.” He shakes his head but doesn’t sound upset about it. I don’t see regret in his eyes, thankfully.
“You robbed my virginity!” I laugh at my own joke. Rowan doesn’t think it’s as funny as I do. I put my bra on and then the flannel. I’ve not seen him wear a flannel since I got here. “Where did this come from? Do you chop wood?” He gives me a perplexed expression. “You’re supposed to chop wood in a shirt like this. Leave it all unbuttoned and grunt while you whack the wood. That’s what the men on TikTok do.”
“They film themselves chopping wood?” I nod. “Why?”
“It’s like female porn, I think.”
“No more TikTok,” he orders.
“Your grunts are better.” I let out a sigh. “Almost as good as that dirty mouth of yours.”
“No more TikTok,” he grunts again.
“Fine, but don’t be using those grunts to get what you want.”
“I’ll do what I have to.”
“Okay, I give. But at some point you have to chop wood in the shirt,” I tease.
“I’ll whack your ass with my wood. How about that?”
I burst into giggles. They die on my lips when my mom starts banging on the door again.
“Her hand has to be hurting by now.” I roll off the bed.
“Panties.” I expect him to hand them to me, but he leans down so that I can step into them. Then he buttons the shirt for me. My eyes start to burn. “Bunny.” Rowan cups my cheek in his big, rough palm. I tilt my head to lean into it. “She’s not taking you from here.”
I nod.
That’s not why I have the urge to cry. It’s because of the way he takes care of me. He knows what I need and crave. His mere touch comforts me. It’s strange to have known him for such a short time but to be so connected to him. Is this possible or am I being naïve?
I love the fact that he’s not cowering to my mother and her demands. I know he’s bothered by her, but she’ll grate on anyone’s nerves. Hell, my own father ran from her, and I can’t fault him. He’s a free spirit. I think he tried to stay as long as he could, but in the end, he did what he had to. It just sucks he didn’t take me with him.
There has to be something wrong with me, though. How come I can never make friends? I never fit with others. Rowan and Grams are the exception to the rule. Maybe it’s because I’m still new to Rowan. Who knows, with time, how that might change for him. That line of thinking allows my insecurities to creep in.
“I’m going to call the cops. This is kidnapping!” Another bang comes from the door.
“I can tell her to fuck off,” Rowan offers.
“She’s still my mom.” I hate that I’m sticking up for her in any way, because she would never do the same for me. But I’m not her, and I never want to be.
“Doesn’t mean shit. People don’t get passes to treat you like they own you because they share your blood.” He leans down, his mouth brushing mine. “You have to earn that right.” A spark flutters inside me. Is he saying that I own him? I know he owns me, and that’s not scary at all. Unless he ever decided to leave me. He’d take a part of me with him that I don’t think I could get back.
“Let’s get this over with.” Rowan snags my hand as I head toward the door. He stays by my side as I flip the lock and pull it open. My mother’s eyes widen when she gets a good look at me.