Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
“You’re the new sheriff,” I remind Aspen, but I don’t think he can hear me.
“Your move, Aspen,” Ryan says and then I hear his steps retreating to the door. “Pick you up tonight, Mina,” he calls out before making his escape back to the firehouse.
“You’re not going on a date with him.” Aspen’s fingers dig into my hips and my lips part.
I have to fight not to press my body against his and start moaning. It’s what I want more than anything but I’m not chasing him any longer. I’ve never tried to hide how I felt for him until after he turned away from my kiss. I hate this but it’s the way it has to be.
“Aspen.” My voice is soft as I trace my finger over his badge. He’s always trying to do the right thing and it’s one of the things I love about him. He’s a good man but maybe too good for me. “Let me go.”
“I can’t.” He closes his eyes and I watch his jaw clench.
“You have to,” I whisper. “Please.”
To my disappointment he takes a deep breath before releasing his hold on me and stepping back. A lump forms in my throat and I can’t swallow it down. Needing him to let me go and actually wanting it to happen are two different things.
“I’m actually done for the day,” I say quickly as I grab my cardigan and my purse off my chair. I give him one last long look before I run out of there as fast as my heels will let me.
“Mina,” he calls after me and I pause with my hand on the door.
I wait a few seconds but he doesn’t say anything else so I walk out and go straight for my car. After I toss my crap inside, I drive out of the lot because I need some time alone. I debate if I should go straight home or go for a drive when I hit the edge of town. I don’t get the chance to decide before red and blue lights flash behind me.
“What the hell is he doing?” I say to myself as I pull over and put my car into park. That’s it. I’ve officially hit my limit with Aspen. I’m halfway out of the car and already giving him a piece of my mind. “Listen here you—”
My words stop coming when I see an intense expression in Aspen’s eyes as he stomps in my direction.
“Too far this time,” he growls at me and it shocks me into taking a step back. Too bad there’s nowhere to go and I bump into my car.
“What...ah…what are you—” I try to ask, but before I can make a clear question he grabs my wrists and spins me around. Before I know what is happening, Aspen has his cuffs on me. “Aspen, what the hell are you doing!?”
“I suggest you stop talking, you're only going to get yourself in more trouble,” he scolds as he leads me back to his cruiser and opens the passenger door.
“Seriously?” What in the hell has gotten into him?
“In,” he orders before slapping my ass and I gape at him. “Fine.” He’s impatient for me to follow orders because he hardly gives me a second to get in before he grabs my hips and lifts me off my feet. I’m in the passenger seat before I can blink and the next thing I know he’s leaning over me to buckle me in. My breath catches in my throat at how close his face is to mine. I can smell the sweet frosting on his lips from the cinnamon rolls I brought in today.
“You said you let me go,” I remind him, and I’m surprised when my words come out all breathy and nothing like my own.
He leans in even closer and barely brushes his lips against mine. “I lied,” he says easily before he pulls back.
“You lied?” I blink at him, not knowing what’s going to happen next.
“I’ve been lying long enough. The games are over and your ass is mine, princess,” he says before slamming the car door closed.
Chapter Four
ASPEN
“Where are you taking me?” Mina demands from the passenger seat. Any shock she had after I touched my lips to hers is long gone. Now that I’m driving, she wants answers.
“Home,” I tell her, and I can feel some of the wind in her sails deflate.
“Great. The family will get a huge laugh out of this.” The eyeroll she gives me is epic.
“Did you not hear what I said?” She looks at me with confusion and I shake my head. “Your ass is mine, princess.”
“Then why are you taking me to my house?”
“I didn’t say I was taking you to your house. I said I was taking you home.” That’s when I make the turn for the driveway that leads to my house.