Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
So, I told her, “This isn’t a good idea. It’s too soon.”
“But...”
“It’s too soon. End of discussion.”
She stepped back and crossed her arms as she snapped, “Not up for discussion? And why is that?”
“Nothing you have to say is going to change my mind.” I kept my tone calm and steady as I added, “You need time.”
Frustration flashed through her eyes as she insisted, “I’m fine.”
“No, you aren’t.”
She wasn’t happy that I’d put her off. I wasn’t exactly happy about it either. She had to know that I wanted her. Hell, I wanted her more than I thought possible, but I wanted to do right by her. I reached over and placed my hand under her chin, forcing her to look at me as I said, “We got something good here. I know it. You know it. And I’m not going to mess it up by rushing things.”
“It’s been months, Sutton. That’s far from rushing.”
“And it might be months more, or it could be a couple of weeks or a day. Only time will tell, but I can promise you this. I will have you, and when I do...” I ran my thumb across her bottom lip as I told her, “I’ll make it worth the wait.”
She held my gaze like she was trying to figure out her next move. After several moments, her eyes drifted to the ground, and she started down the hall. “Goodnight, Sutton.”
“Night, Cricket.”
I waited until she’d disappeared into her room, then turned and headed down the hall. I went into my room and quickly shut the door behind me. I tugged my shirt off and tossed it onto the chair in the corner, then kicked off my boots and stripped down to my boxers. I crawled into bed, and the second my head hit the pillow, my mind drifted straight to that damn kiss.
I tossed and turned, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about the way her lips felt against mine. Soft, warm, familiar in a way I didn’t want to admit. And then that look—the one she gave me after I pulled away. Like I’d hurt her, and that was the last fucking thing I wanted to do.
I rubbed a hand over my face and let out a frustrated groan.
I rolled onto my back and closed my eyes, trying to force the image of her out of my mind. It took some time, but I eventually drifted off to sleep. The next morning, I was up early, and after spending a couple of hours working on Rusty’s bike, I finally managed to get the damn thing started.
I figured Cricket and I could use a little distance, so I called Zeke to come to keep an eye on her and Toby and headed to the clubhouse. I still had a few hours before my shift at the Vault, so I decided I would check in and see if there had been any new developments with Carmine or Cricket’s ex.
When I pulled into the parking lot, I spotted Prez at the back door with Kay, and from the looks of it, they were having one of their heated debates. I tried to pay them no mind as I parked and got off my bike, but as I started inside, I couldn’t help but hear Prez say, “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Why do you have to be so damn stubborn?”
“I’ve got a club to run, Kay. I don’t have time for this.”
“Of course. It’s always the club. That’s the only thing that really matters to you.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it.”
I opened the back door, and just before I stepped inside, Kay snapped, “Then, prove it.”
While I was curious to hear his response, I knew Prez wouldn’t want me eavesdropping, so I continued inside and went to track down Shep. I started at his office, and when he wasn’t there, I stopped by the kitchen and found him talking to Memphis and Grim. As I walked over, Shep looked up and said, “Hey, brother. I was hoping you’d be by today.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“You know I’ve been keeping an eye on Whitney’s ex.”
“Yeah?”
“He’s gotten himself into quite a mess.” Shep leaned back against the counter as he continued, “Seems that he roughed up the wrong guy, and good old dad isn’t gonna be able to get him out of it.”
“Who was it?”
“Daniel Thornton—a big wig politician with a family name that is known throughout the state. Hell, they’ve even got pull at the White House.”
“So, he’s about to get his.”
“I don’t know. He’s gotten out of some pretty heavy shit, but this one has hit the papers and will be harder to wiggle out of. Either way, he should be distracted for a while.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Everyone fell silent when Prez charged into the room with a scowl on his face. He didn’t say a word as he went over to the fridge and opened the door. He looked inside for a moment, then slammed it shut. “I need a fucking drink.”