Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
“Well, there’s something new in the green orchid bee world that concerns Florida,” I pressed. “Lane tried to get us all interested, but that’s not happenin’.”
Ty chuckled and scratched his nose. “All right. I’ll do a search.”
Wonderful. They could bond over bugs.
CHAPTER 5
Walker McKenna
“Come on, come on.” I pressed the elevator button repeatedly and waited impatiently for the doors to open. Then I glanced down at my phone again. More correctly, at the texts Macklin had unloaded as I’d driven over to his place.
I know I fucked up, Walker. I’m SO fucking sorry. I shut you out when I should’ve let you in. I just didn’t want us to fight. I was so angry.
Everyone’s talking about you and Ty now. Tate asked what the hell’s happening, and I don’t even know what to say. My Master met someone new!
Are we gonna make it? This is because I shut you out, isn’t it?
I know I should wait till you get here, but my brain is fucking fried.
I feel like you’re punishing me. At the same time, I know you’re not, and it’s scaring me that you might actually fall for him. You already said it yourself. This never happens. You don’t connect easily with other men. And now you are. You’re already official. You’re in a relationship, a vanilla one. You’re not vanilla, Walker!
Do you remember what you told me in Florida when we discussed our lists of safe partners? Right before we left, you were all, no, this isn’t about romantic dates. You weren’t gonna catch feelings for anyone. We were talking about subs, I know, I know, but come on. You have feelings for Ty, admit it.
Do you WANT to hurt me?
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m all over the place. Maybe you shouldn’t come. Stay with Ty.
He was all over the place, all right.
The doors finally opened, and I stepped inside and headed for the eighth floor.
To be fair, I was all over the place too. Feeling angry and frustrated one second, defeated and resigned the next. Only to switch to feeling nothing at all or too much at once. But one thing was for sure. We were gonna have it out tonight. I’d lost my patience and energy on the way over, and if we had to walk through purgatory before I could wrap him in my arms and promise I wasn’t going anywhere, so be it.
Just as I walked out of the elevator, one more text showed up.
You know what, fuck you. I know you better than anyone. You’re supposed to be mine, asshole. You can pretend all you want with Ty, but at the end of the day, it’s me you want.
I coughed around a laugh and scratched my eyebrow.
Oh Lord, he wasn’t done. I saw the text bubble appear, indicating he was typing. So I stayed right there in the hallway and waited, when I could be knocking on his door in approximately four steps.
Another message.
I HATE that you make me so insecure.
“That was insecurity?” I muttered to myself. His previous text had seemed extremely cocky.
I sure as fuck wasn’t pretending with Ty. Macklin was going to have to accept my new relationship, exactly like I accepted his with Lane.
I knocked on his door and braced myself.
Not long ago, Macklin had told me he’d never known how to react when meeting me—during our years apart. If he was going to fall apart in my arms, stand there stiff as a board, or take a swing at me.
Anything could happen tonight too. I didn’t know which Macklin I’d face.
I drew in a breath as he opened the door, and the sight was a punch in the gut. I might get the trifecta. His eyes were red and brimming with tears, his jaw was set, and he quickly averted his gaze to the floor.
Not caring if he was angry and ready to fight, I went to him and hugged him to me. I cupped the back of his head and kissed his temple, lingering there. He went rigid but hugged my midsection loosely. Awkwardly.
“We can’t go on like this, little sea monster,” I murmured.
He sniffled and let out a low sob, but instead of clinging to me the way I wished he would, he broke away and stepped back. “You fucking smell like him.”
Oh Christ.
I sidestepped and frowned as he shut the door, and then he strode into his living room.
He’d decorated it similarly to the home we’d shared in Georgetown, but his apartment was much newer than my condo. This place lacked the decorative crown molding, the fireplace, and old accents.
I hung up my suit jacket and removed my shoes, glad I’d at least changed back into my own clothes, and waited him out. He had his process. He was going to keep busy—tidy up a mess that wasn’t there, while stalling to tackle the mess we’d made together. He grabbed a mug from the coffee table and a sock off the floor before he ducked out into the kitchen.