Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 131916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Raven glanced back with that big smile on her face. “The best spot.”
Nolan giggled and glanced up at me. “Did it hit all the right spots for you, Miss Charleigh?”
Emotion trembled, this piece inside me that pulled me one direction and pushed me another. The entire breakfast I’d had a hard time rectifying the shift. The decision I’d made last night to run when I’d been gripped by grief and sorrow and fear.
Fear of so many things.
Of what might be lurking for me in the shadows and what had seemed to be waiting for me right here.
Friendship and a semblance of belonging.
I had no idea what to make of it or how to embrace it. But as Nolan held my hand, trotting along at my side as we all stepped out onto the sidewalk, I didn’t want to let go.
“How about you, Daddy-O?” Nolan asked from over his shoulder toward where River followed us.
River who’d seemed too large to be contained by the small café.
“Pretty danged good way to start the day.” River’s voice was a coarse scruff.
The whole time, he’d sat a bit away from the table, slung back in the chair with his massive legs stretched out in front of him.
So cruelly casual that I’d barely been able to eat or drink, my mind unable to stop whirring with the memories of the way it’d felt to have his lips against mine. Big, big hands touching me. The way I wondered if…
I’d put a lid on the dangerous thoughts that had begun to boil, hoping it might be enough to extinguish them. Though with the way I trembled when he edged closer behind us, I feared the only thing trying to suppress them did was stoke the need.
“I’d better get back upstairs. I have a lot to do today,” I said.
You know, like stew and fret over my decisions the entire day.
“I’m so happy we ran into you. I love these kind of BFF surprises. Best way to start the day.” Raven’s voice might have been light and rimmed in playfulness, but she hugged me hard.
Hard enough that I was pretty sure she was trying to send a message.
Gratitude spun with the apprehension. “I loved it,” I told her, knowing at least that was the truth.
“I loved it as much as I love my puppy since you got it for me and that makes it even more extra special,” Nolan rambled, so sweet, still holding onto my hand and beaming my direction.
I shifted so I could run my fingertips over his plump cheek that was smattered with freckles, the curls of his dark brown hair waving in the gentle breeze.
My heart fluttered. “This morning was definitely extra special.”
He grinned his crooked, dimpled grin. “That’s because we’re all special together.”
My fluttering heart clutched, and I leaned down so I could wrap my arms around him. I hugged him for the longest time before I forced myself to stand.
I barely glanced at River as I mumbled toward the ground, “It was nice to run into you, too.”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he looked at Raven. “Go on and take Nolan home, yeah? I need to make sure I put Charleigh’s suitcase in the right place.”
I went red. Talk about blatant bullshit excuses. Couldn’t he have come up with something better than that if he wanted to talk with me? Because Raven’s smile shifted to suspicion. Pinging between concern and salacious glee.
She took Nolan’s hand. “Of course, no worries here. We’ll just head on home while you check out her suitcase.”
She clearly was implying my suitcase was my vagina.
River’s dark eyes ripped over me like he might be imagining it was.
While I stood there mortified and stammering, “Oh no, that’s not necessary. I’m sure it’s fine wherever you put it.”
“River should definitely make sure. Just in case.”
“Yeah, definitely should,” he grunted.
“Bye.” Raven lifted her free hand and wiggled her fingers, and Nolan was hollering, “Bye, Miss Charleigh! Have the very best day you’ve ever had,” as she led him down the street.
River just stood there, his energy severe.
An earthquake that rolled beneath my feet.
When Raven and Nolan disappeared around the corner, I turned on my heel and moved around the side of the building and started up the exterior stairs.
I knew he’d follow, and with each step I took, he took one that matched.
A shroud that covered from behind.
With shallow, uncertain breaths, I stopped at the door, facing it.
River reached around me and slid the key into the lock. His big body burned into mine, so close that I could feel the thunder of his heart beat into my back.
“Go on in.” The words bristled across the sensitive skin of my neck, and I reached out with a shaky hand, turned the knob, and stepped into my apartment.
River came in behind me, and I kept my attention forward for a few seconds, trying to gather myself—to find what to say and how to handle this man—before I slowly turned around.