Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Hurt shadows her face.
For a second, I think she’ll turn away and run back in the house, which I’d deserve. But then her head tilts and a smile touches her mouth.
Whatever comes next, I know she’s not about to dump my ass.
“You mean your big ego lets you admit when you screwed up?”
“My ego allows a damn lot of things. Even when it gets big and overgrown like a weed.”
Her smile widens into the expression I’ve been waiting for, that shine in her eyes that brings out the gold. “Somehow, I don’t think you came all this way to tell me that.”
“I didn’t.” I move in, trailing my mouth over her ear, loving the way she shudders and how her breath hitches. “And if you’d stop sassing me for a minute, I might be able to tell you my other mistakes.”
“So talk. Spill it,” she challenges.
Growling, I take her earlobe between my teeth and pull, not bothering to hide my smug smile. “My first mistake was not staying longer that first night when you asked.”
“Would it have prevented this?”
“Don’t know, but I should’ve stepped up for you and Arlo. Turning over the house for proof didn’t help much anyway.” I turn my attention to her neck, tasting her skin. She grips my biceps, digging her nails in. “Mistake number two—not keeping you chained up in my bed. I never should’ve let you go home.”
“Who said I would’ve stayed?” Her laugh tickles.
Absolutely no one, but that messes with my narrative, so I ignore it.
“We both know you would have. I might’ve convinced you then and there to say fuck the Ozarks.” I brush my lips over her skin until I feel her pulse, tracing it with my tongue until she shivers. “My biggest mistake was hands down letting you go.”
“When?”
“Every single time,” I rasp, bringing my lips home.
Oh, shit.
She tastes like new beginnings, all salt and fading sadness and the cinnamon-orange scent of Salem Hopper. I don’t need some expensive perfume like her friend’s company cranks out to get harder than a diamond just from breathing this woman.
I only need her.
Every brittle, broken piece.
If I have my way this time—if I have a second chance—I won’t leave her worn. I’ll keep her together, safe and whole, complete in a way she’s never been. I’ll also make her damn tired of hearing how much I love her.
She lets out a small gasp, almost a moan. I practically forget what I came here to do.
As much as I want to sneak back inside before the others notice and fuck her senseless, there’s something else I need to say first.
“For the record, I made one more mistake,” I whisper against her mouth, pulling away just long enough to see her dark eyes consumed with the same need roaring in my blood. “I should’ve told you I loved you a hell of a lot sooner.”
Her jaw pinches tightly. She trembles in my arms, pushing back so she can read my eyes.
I give her the truth, and nothing but, standing silently until she answers with a smile. “I was a little shocked. I thought you’d never say it.”
“We’ve already established I fucked up, woman. Do you forgive me?”
With a solemn look, she plants her feet against the ground and presses her hands into my shoulders like she’s about to say something heavy. I slide my hands to her waist and wait.
“I forgive you, Patton—but only if you forgive me for freaking out and getting scared. It’s hard to get past that when it’s all I’ve ever done my whole life.”
“Done,” I whisper.
“Me too.” Her smile sharpens. “I’m done being a black cat. I want this. I want you. I even stood up to my parents. They flew in when they heard about Arlo, begging me to move in with them… I couldn’t have fought back before. Not before you.”
“I’m proud of you,” I whisper, leaning down to kiss her again, but she pushes a finger against my lips.
“I wasn’t finished. Because I don’t just love you back. You… you drive me wild. Some days, I want to strangle you. But despite that, I can’t stop thinking about you and the family we could be. I know this won’t be easy, but that’s also what makes it so, so good. I want to stand my ground. I want to fight for this, Patton, for you and me and Arlo. No more escape attempts or sudden freak-outs, I promise.” She takes her hands off my shoulders and cups my face with a sweetness that resonates in my bones.
“Big words. You sure about that, Lady Bug?”
“Yes! I’m positive I can’t do anything else,” she whispers. “Because I’m in love with you, dork. Plus, Arlo will kill me someday if he finds out I messed things up with his hero.”
I chuckle with a warmth that ripples through me.