Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
I calmly walk to the room I’ve been blessed with the last couple of weeks, and I pack my clothes. I make sure to grab my toiletries, not wanting to leave anything behind. I have no intention of ever returning here. The standard they have for the women is not something I’m able to meet, or stoop to as it seems.
I clear my throat several times to push down the tears that want to fall. I don’t know why I’m upset. I have no claim to him. If all of the cards were dealt, it seems Bunny has more of a right to him than I do. Her determination on keeping him just won her the competition I have no plans to participate in.
I sling the strap of the duffle bag I found in the room over my shoulder. Placing both keys to the room on the dresser, I walk out and quietly I close the door behind me. I walk in silence down the hall and knock on the door to the room Rose and Doc have been staying in. I know they’re anxious to get back to their house. Rose had mentioned packing up once she got back from her appointment this afternoon.
The door is tugged open before I could even pull my hand fully away. Rose’s smile falters when she looks at me.
“Emmalyn, what’s wrong?” She looks back over her shoulder when Doc asks her who’s at the door. “It’s Emmalyn.”
She turns her attention back to me but doesn’t press me for information. Clearly her intuition tells her that if I have to explain myself, I’m sure to break.
“I need to leave.” My voice cracks and I close my eyes momentarily in an attempt to regain the sliver of composure I’m holding on to. “I was hoping I could stay with you guys for a while. “
She looks back over her shoulder again gauging Doc’s reaction.
“I hate to even ask…” I begin before Doc pulls the door open wider and steps up beside Rose.
“You don’t have to ask, Emmalyn,” he says gently. “Babe, why don’t you ladies go ahead and head over to the house. I’ll be home in a bit on my bike.”
He kisses her on the cheek and nods at me. I give him a weak smile and head toward the front of the clubhouse.
Quickly we make our way across the building, and I freeze at the top of the stairs when I see Diego climbing out of the SUV. He looks exhausted, but his eyes light up, and a smile plays on his beautiful mouth as he walks toward me. I steel my spine as he approaches, but his arms reaching out to me almost cause me to lose it.
“Em,” he breathes sexily. “I’ve missed you.”
I swallow roughly and step out of arms reach. Confusion marks his brow, but I speak up before he can question the bag slung over my shoulder and the keys in Rose’s hand.
“You seem to have your hands full around here. You have a present waiting on your bed.” I go to slide past him.
“Emmalyn, wait. What the fuck is going on?” He reaches for me again and on natural instinct I squeeze my eyes shut and cower away from him.
“Fuck,” I hear him mutter, and when I open my eyes he’s taken several steps away from me, and his hands are hanging in defeat at his sides. The look on his face devastates me. His smile when he walked up to me was the most genuine smile I’d received in as long as I can remember. It’s like he focuses on only me. I was the only thing he could see.
I do believe he wants me. I believe he missed me, but I know I can’t be the type of woman he wants, the type of woman he’s used to. Not being that woman, in the beginning, would be okay with him, but eventually, after my heart was already involved he’d grow bored or worse yet try to get me to change. Leaving now protects us both.
“Em,” he begs.
“Goodbye, Diego.” I turn and walk toward Rose’s vehicle just as the first tear of defeat rolls down my cheek.
Chapter 20
Kincaid
The last thing I anticipated pulling up to the clubhouse after being away for over two weeks was the sight of Emmalyn walking out to greet me. I couldn’t have been more wrong when I saw the pain on her face and that fucking duffle bag hanging from her arm.
Worse than that, she cowered away from me when I reached out to her. Instinct told her that leaving the clubhouse would make me so angry that I’d hit her. My heart stopped seeing her squeeze her eyes closed and prepare for me to strike her. I had to pull away and take a step back. It was the only way to show her that I’d never hit her.