Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
It took up at least a full acre, and there was an enormous fence with barbed wire that surrounded the entire compound. There was a large gate at the front with two guards standing at the entrance, making the place seem even more frightening. I was still taking it all in when we got out to Grim’s truck. I opened the back door for him as I said, “This place is really something.”
“Um-hmm.”
He waited for me to get inside next to Luna before he closed the door. He didn’t say a word as he got in and started the engine. His silence remained as he whipped through the gate. Something was wrong. I could feel it. Tension literally radiated off him, but he didn’t say a word. He just gripped the steering wheel and sped toward his house. It might’ve just been my imagination, but I got the feeling that something was really bothering him.
I didn’t want to make matters worse, so I kept my focus on Luna and left him alone. When we got back to his place, he helped me get Luna inside and settled in our room. I’d barely pulled the covers over her when he turned and walked out. I turned on the TV and got her some juice before asking, “How ya doing?”
“Okay.”
“You need anything? Maybe some crackers or some toast?”
I wasn’t surprised when she shook her head and mumbled, “No.”
“Okay, then drink a little juice and watch your show. I’m going to step into the kitchen for a minute and talk to Grim, but I’ll be right back.”
“Okay, Momma.”
I gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before walking out to find Grim. I didn’t have to go far. He was in the kitchen pouring himself a tall glass of vodka. It was early—much too early for such a stiff drink, which made me worry even more that something was wrong.
He looked up and watched me watching him, but again, he didn’t say a word. “Is everything okay?”
“No.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
“No.”
It was clear something was bothering him—more than likely something with the club or one of his brothers, and even though I wanted to push for answers, I let it go.
It was something we both did whenever one of us didn’t want to talk. It was an unspoken parameter that we’d created since I’d been staying there. It wasn’t the only one. In fact, there had been several—like don’t leave the coffee pot empty, and if one loads the dishwasher, then the other empties it.
Those were the easy ones.
The tough ones were things like, don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answer to. That one was for me, and I struggled with it, especially on nights like these when Grim wasn’t himself. I moved slowly as I continued towards him and said, “I messaged Jud and let him know about Luna and that I wouldn’t be able to make it in tonight, but I haven’t heard back from him.”
“Already talked to him.” He lifted his drink and took a sip. “He was cool with it.”
“Oh, okay. Well, thanks.” His eyes locked on mine, and I felt an unexpected chill down my spine. I tried to look away, but there was something about the look in his eyes that kept drawing me back in. “I’m sorry for this whole thing with Luna. I know you are busy, and...”
“Don’t,” he interrupted. “You need me, you call.”
I nodded and held his gaze as long as I could bear it, then looked away and sighed, hoping the slow release of air might help ease the tension I felt brewing between us. “Well, I guess I’ll leave you to it.”
I was about to turn around and leave when Grim muttered, “Jenna?”
“Yeah?”
He didn’t respond.
Instead, he stepped toward me and placed his hand on the nape of my neck, pulling my mouth to his, and he kissed me like I’d never been kissed before. There was no hesitation. No second thought. I kissed him right back. I couldn’t help myself. His big, strong arms felt so good wrapped around me, and having his mouth on mine had every nerve in my body burning with need.
He dropped his hands to my waist, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss. Our tongues twisted, tasting each other, and we were on the brink of losing control. I couldn’t let that happen. Luna was recovering in the next room, so I placed my hands on his chest and gave him a slight push, breaking our embrace.
The loss of his touch had me feeling an immediate pang of longing. His arms felt like home. It was a feeling I hadn't realized I’d craved until now. Craved or not, I had a daughter to tend to, so I took another step back as I whispered, “Luna.”