Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107667 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Fire burns inside me. “I didn’t plan on it.”
Though I know that’s not smart, I really don’t care at the moment. I only want him. I want us. I want those promises that swirled in his eyes. He takes my hand, kissing my wrist, my palm, then my knuckles before threading our fingers together. I grin up at him, and his eyes dance along my skin. “We’ll never leave if you keep looking at me like that.”
My grin turns into a cheeky one as he pulls me into his side, and we walk around the corner to where the party is still in full swing. I notice that Owen is leaning against a table that no one else is near, and then he holds up his hand. Dart slaps it with his own as Owen winks at me. “Made sure no one went that way.”
Embarrassment floods my cheeks, but Dart just flashes him a grin. “Because you’re my best friend.”
Dart takes my jacket and purse off the table next to Owen. I hadn’t even realized I’d dropped those, but then, when do I ever think clearly when it comes to him? The excitement is all-consuming, and I can’t wait to get to his bed. I can’t wait to rediscover his body, to make sure I didn’t forget anything about it, not that I think I did. I couldn’t, even if I tried.
And I did try.
We’re almost to the stairs when Troy steps in front of us. I feel Dart tense, and when I look up, his eyes are wild with fury.
Well, hell.
Troy ignores Dart and asks me, “What are you doing?”
“Leaving,” I say simply, and I swear Dart pulls me closer.
“With him?”
I nod, unable to hide how I feel.
“In front of all these people?”
“You’re the only one who cares,” I tell him.
“This is absurd,” he says, shaking his head, his cheeks matching his hair. “We are supposed to be recruiting more clients.”
“My work speaks for itself, so I’m not worried.”
Troy is livid, his eyes wild. “I leave tomorrow, and I wanted to talk to you.”
That’s when Dart decides to speak. “There isn’t anything to talk about.”
“This doesn’t concern you,” Troy throws at him, but Dart isn’t having it.
“Anything that has to do with Tennessee concerns me.”
He rolls his eyes, looking back at me. “Please, Ten. Give me another chance.”
But I’m already shaking my head. “I can’t, Troy.”
“But I love you,” he declares, and his words tug at my heartstrings. Not because I want to hear them, but because I feel bad for him. “Surely you feel something for me.”
Dart stiffens beside me, and I run my fingers along his ribs. “I care for you as a friend, but it has never been anything more.”
“Because of him!” he roars, but then he presses his lips together when we see heads turn to look at us. Dart stands like a proud peacock, and I could throttle him. “He won’t love you how I do.”
Dart holds up his finger, stopping Troy instantly. “You’re right. I won’t,” he says menacingly. “I’ll love her more.” His words knock out any ounce of air I had in me. “Now, gladly go fuck off, and don’t tell my girl that you love her. Next time, I won’t use my words.”
With that, Dart starts forward, bringing me with him, and Troy immediately moves out of the way. As we head down the stairs, I look up at Dart. Surely he didn’t just say what I think he did.
That he loves me?
No, that can’t be. He said he’d love me more, which I totally get. The intensity between us is unmatched. This fire of our connection is smoldering, so if he ever did love me, it would be just as intense as that. Which means he didn’t claim he loves me. Right? As I gaze up at him, that tic in his jaw needing to be licked, I know one thing for sure.
I have been in trouble since the moment I met him. Because I could love him, with my whole damn heart, and nothing, no one, or no amount of space would ever change that.
And that is absolutely terrifying.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dart
I usually drive, but tonight, I’m thankful I didn’t.
I hold Tennessee in the crook of my arm as we walk out to her car. Or what I was assuming to be a car until we approach a jacked-up Ford. The tires are as tall as she is, and the paint is white with orange glitter embedded in it. On the cab, it reads “Rocky Top.”
I mean, who else’s truck would it be?
“This is yours?”
Her eyes are hooded, and I know she’s still reeling from what just transpired between us. “Yeah. Was it the orange glitter or the big Tennessee emblem on the back that gave it away?”
I chuckle as I hold her close. “I think your Vols obsession is terrifyingly cute.” She gives me a sneaky grin, and I hold back the many quips bubbling inside me. “Can I have the keys?”