Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Jesus, getting the words out felt so awkward, but I didn’t want him to be nervous that a pregnancy scare could be in our future.
There was a long, drawn-out silence before he spoke. “I know.”
“You know?” I was a bit surprised but then realized he had access to my files because of The Hunt. I just hadn’t assumed he had read them.
Maybe I should have felt as if he’d overstepped by reading my personal file.
Maybe I should have been upset that he was too nosey and should have looked the other way when my file came across his desk.
But I didn’t feel that way at all.
I liked it.
I liked knowing he’d peeked inside.
I liked it a lot.
“I make it a point to know everything about you, Storee. Always.”
I felt Locke’s body relax beside me, the steady rise and fall of his chest matching my own. Pressing a final kiss against his chest, I closed my eyes and let sleep claim me.
Chapter 27
Storee
Five days, one hundred and twenty hours, and very few of those hours not spent with Locke Hartwell.
I should have known what it would mean once I crossed the line with a man like him. He never tried to hide the fact that he was a possessive man, and now that I had given him a piece of myself, I was his entirely.
His touch spoke volumes. Every time his hand grazed my skin, every time his lips met mine, I knew that I was his and his alone. It was intoxicating, the way he made me feel. But it was also terrifying.
I knew that with Locke, there was no going back. He had a hold on me that I couldn’t shake, no matter how hard I tried. And the harder I tried to resist him, the more he pulled me in. I was addicted to the way his hand would wrap around my waist, the way his lips would trail down my neck, and the way his body would intertwine with mine.
As the days passed, our passion only grew stronger. We explored each other’s bodies with a fervent hunger, always craving more. He would whisper dirty things in my ear, making me blush from his words alone. I loved every single moment of it. But with each day, I began to realize that I couldn’t stay in this bubble forever. Eventually, I would have to face reality and deal with my life. I had responsibilities. Bills. Life that didn’t revolve around Locke.
“I need to get back to work today,” I said, my voice low and somber as I finished getting dressed and ready to start reality. It was time. Long overdue.
“Not today,” he said, his voice still groggy from sleep and no morning coffee yet. “I have something to show you. A surprise.”
“Surprises and fun have to wait. I need to deal with the real world. Not just Locke Hartwell’s bedroom,” I said, pulling my hair up into a ponytail and using the mirror above the sink to apply my makeup. “I can’t stay here forever. I have a life to get back to.”
I had taken five days off from work, and now I had five days to make up for. I could only imagine the looks I was about to receive from everyone at the docks, but I knew I had to pick up the slack somehow.
“You have me. You don’t need your other life,” he countered.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not a kept woman, Locke.”
“As much as I’d like to make you one,” he said, kissing me on the back of my neck as he reached for my hand, “I have a better idea.” He tugged me toward the door. “Come on. There’s someplace I want to show you.”
“You’re going to make me miss another day,” I grumbled as he led me to his car.
“Trust me,” he said, helping me into the front seat. “You’re going to love it.”
I sighed, giving in. Whatever Locke wanted, Locke got. I had learned that much in the past few days.
He drove through the winding roads until we reached Main Street, about a block from The Vault. The area was full of cute little shops, but it was still too early for any of them to be open, so I wasn’t really sure why we were parking.
“What’s going on?” I asked, as he led me toward an empty shop with a For Lease sign hanging in the window.
He pulled out some keys and opened the door with a flourish, ushering me inside, revealing a dark, empty room.
“Surprise,” he said, grinning widely. “This is for you.”
I froze, pulling away from him slowly. “What did you just say?”
“It’s for you and your art.”
“My art?”
“It’s time you start taking your passion seriously, and you need a space to do that.” He pointed to the large windows in the front. “We’ll keep these covered until you feel ready. But once you have enough pieces to show, we can open you up fully as a gallery.”