Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 83927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
What feels like hours later, the flames are finally out. Miller and Jared talk to the firefighter in charge, who explains that it’s best if we leave. There aren’t many possessions left in our home and we won’t be allowed access until tomorrow. I overhear them telling Miller that they’ll still be here for a while longer to determine the cause of the fire.
Miller helps me up into his SUV after making sure Sophie and Jared have places to go. He gets in and starts the engine, reaching over and taking my hand in his. “Are you really okay?” he questions, now that the shock has started to wear off.
“Yeah,” I tell him with a tight smile, feeling my chest aching for my lost home. “I’ll be alright. Just a bit shaken.”
“Okay,” he says, then quietly hits the gas.
We drive in silence for a little while when I look over at him. “What’s the matter?” I ask, taking in the frown on his handsome face.
He takes a deep breath and looks over at me. “That was fucked up, babe,” he tells me, squeezing my hand. “The second I saw your house and all the smoke, I thought I’d lost you.”
“It’s okay. I’m okay,” I reassure him.
“I know, babe. It’s just too many close calls with you lately,” he sighs.
“Yeah, I know,” I whisper, dropping my gaze to my thighs. “You can wrap me in bubble wrap from now on.”
He smirks over at me. “I might just do that.”
We arrive at his place and take a quick shower together, washing the smell of smoke from our bodies. “Thank you,” I tell him as his arms wrap around me. “That’s twice you’ve saved me now.”
He looks down at me with such adoration and presses his lips to mine. “There’s not a thing I wouldn’t do for you, Dani.”
“I know,” I tell him. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too,” he tells me, pressing another kiss to my lips. “Now, let me take you to bed. I’m exhausted, and I bet you’re right there with me.”
I nod up at him and he gives me a smile that melts my heart. After pulling me out from under the warm spray of water and wrapping a towel around me, he leads me over to his dresser and takes out a shirt for me, but I shake my head and opt to put his jersey back on.
We climb into bed and he wraps me in his arms. I fall into a deep sleep, knowing that no matter how screwed up a situation may be, I will always be okay as long as I have this man by my side.
I realize that without a doubt, Miller Cain is going to be part of my life for the rest of time, and I know with one hundred percent certainty that I will walk down the aisle to him and he will be my husband. He will be signed to the NHL, and I will be right there with him, supporting him with everything I have. He will be the first one to hold our child, and the one that child will call Daddy with complete adoration. He’s the one who will hold my heart, and every piece of me, until the end of eternity.
Chapter 20
Miller
Visions of my beautiful Dani, sleeping soundlessly in her bedroom as flames engulf the walls haunt my mind, and I get up and make my way into the bathroom. Leaning over the sink, I turn on the tap, cupping my hands together under the water. I wait until the water is flowing over the edges and bring it up to splash my face as I try to erase the images from my head.
I can’t help the feeling that the fire wasn’t an accident. After all, Tank had told me just last week that Sophie’s family was in a house fire when she was a teenager, and ever since, she has been pedantic about turning off the power points and making sure the house is as fireproof as possible. Hell, she even attached a fire blanket to the wall between the stove and microwave.
I sneak out of the bathroom and head downstairs, not wanting to wake up Dani. I head into the garage that I converted into a home gym and push myself through a grueling workout. It’s not the best version of a home gym, but it’s perfect for times like this when the idea of leaving my home, leaving my girl alone makes me want to hurl. An hour and a half later, I have used up every last ounce of my energy and head back upstairs to wash away the stench of sweat.
After getting out of the shower and pulling on a pair of sweats, I find myself in the kitchen cooking breakfast for my girl. Not knowing what she might want, I decide on bacon and eggs with a side of pancakes and coffee.