Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
I don’t realize how rigid his muscles had become until they loosen and his lips lift into some semblance of a smile. The feral look glowing in his eyes is enough to send a fresh burst of nerves scampering across my skin.
“You have my word.”
Don’t do it.
Don’t spend any more time alone with him.
I shut down the little voice in my head. If this is the only way to get my necklace back, what choice is there?
The silver chain and pendant are too important to let go of.
“Fine.”
Instead of closing the distance between us, he shoves open the heavy glass door. “After you.”
Heat emanates from him in heavy, suffocating waves as I slip past, trying not to touch him. The woodsy scent of his cologne wraps sly fingers around me, cocooning me in memories of the night we spent together and how easy it was for him to make my body sing.
When I stumble, his arm snakes around my waist and he tugs me close to his muscular body.
His warm breath ghosts against my ear. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
I chance a peek at Maverick, only to find him watching me.
Why does this man affect me like no other?
I rack my brain but can’t come up with an answer that makes sense.
I just know that he does.
It’s an undeniable truth.
“Is your car on campus?” he asks, knocking me from my thoughts.
“Um, yeah.”
“Where are you parked?”
I point to the lot closest to the library. It’s centrally located and always easy to get to.
“What a coincidence. So am I.” He continues to steer me along the path. “It’s the Bronco, right?”
“Yeah.” I’m surprised he remembered.
As we arrive at the small SUV, I click the key fob as he reaches around my body to open the door.
Before I can slide inside the safety of the vehicle, he holds out his palm. “Give me your phone.”
I frown. “Excuse me?”
“I’m going to input the address.”
My brows pinch. “That’s not necessary. I’ll just follow you.”
With a smirk, he shakes his head before crowding my personal space until it becomes necessary to crane my neck in order to hold his mahogany-colored eyes.
“Do you really think I’m going to take the chance and let you get away now that I’ve finally found you again?”
My belly somersaults.
When he continues to stare, waiting patiently, I slip my hand into my jacket pocket and pull out my cell before opening the home screen. It’s only when he swipes it from my palm that I realize I’m trembling.
And it’s not just my hands.
My entire body is shaking.
He sets my nerves on edge, all the while ripping away the hazy film that has blanketed my life since I was sixteen.
When there’s a distant chime, I realize that he texted himself my number.
His focus stays riveted to my phone as he taps away. When he’s satisfied, the cell is passed back with the Maps app open on the screen.
“All set.” He nods toward a truck parked a few rows over before his gaze refastens on mine. “I’ll be right behind you.”
My pulse thrums an erratic beat as I slip inside the Bronco. He closes the door before jogging to his truck and starting it up. I do the same and pull out of the parking lot with Maverick tailing me. It doesn’t take more than five minutes to reach his house. I probably should have told him that I didn’t need directions.
The second I turn off the ignition, the driver’s side door is popped open and he’s assisting me to the sidewalk. With his muscular arm wrapped around me, there’s no escaping him.
Part of me wonders if I even want to.
I’ve never felt more conflicted.
In silence, he steers me toward the front porch and up the rickety stairs before shoving open the front door. Barely do I catch a glimpse of the people sitting around the living room, playing video games. A few call out greetings, but he ignores them, hustling me up the staircase to his room.
Once I’m over the threshold, he closes the door and leans against it. He doesn’t say a word as his gaze stays pinned to mine. Only now do I realize that he’s been keeping himself firmly under control this entire time.
That’s no longer the case. The thin veneer has been torn away.
A potent concoction of nerves and excitement bursts at the bottom of my belly as I rip my attention away from him, needing to get all the emotions careening out of control back under submission.
All it takes is one fleeting glance at the queen-sized bed for memories to press in at the edges, threatening to suffocate the life out of me.
Am I the last girl who’s been there?
Or have others already taken my place?
The thought sickens me. It’s enough to have bile rising in my throat.