Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38276 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38276 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“I got it last tax season with my refund,” Zoe explains, her brow crinkling with confusion. “See? That’s what I’m talking about. I see that look on your face, Callan. It might not be a Mercedes like yours—”
“I drive a Lincoln.”
“Whatever,” she says, waving her hand around. “The point is, my car might look crappy, but it runs perfectly fine. It just needs a few things.”
“Yeah, like a spare tire,” I mumble. Her frown deepens as she makes her way to the back and sees the doughnut in shambles.
“Shit!” Zoe curses before letting out a heavy sigh. “Go ahead and leave. I have to run back in and bum a ride home from Joe.”
“The hell you will,” I tell her.
“It’s crazy late and you live in Miami. You don’t need to spend any more time out here with me. Joe can run me home. He doesn’t live far from here.”
I step closer to her, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck and pulling her towards me.
“You’re forgetting that you belong to me. If anyone is going to help you do anything—it will be me,” I tell her. My voice is firm and matter of fact. I enjoy watching her eyes widen slightly as my words sink in.
“Did you forget to take your medication today?” Zoe asks, making me laugh. I lean down and kiss her until she gives in to the pleasure of it. She lets out a heavy sigh as I pull away. “You really need to stop doing that.”
“Never,” I deny as I close her trunk. I walk to both doors, locking the manual locks before grabbing her hand. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you home.”
Chapter 13
Callan
Pulling up outside of Zoe's house, I frown when I notice she doesn't have a porch light on. It's clear this woman needs a man to look after her. Now she has one, and I’m more than happy to step up to the plate. I look over at a sleeping Zoe. She’s curled up in the passenger seat with her head against the window, snoring softly. My girl passed out as soon as I pulled into traffic.
I know that speaks more to her working seventeen hours on her feet, but I want to think that she also feels safe enough with me to let her guard down. I didn't need to ask for directions since I already have her address. Niko has extensive files on anyone in Emilia’s life and in this case, it worked to my advantage.
I sit in the driveway, hating that I need to wake her up. I want to let her sleep but can't. I'm ready to lock this woman down to ensure she's taken care of. That means she wouldn't have to push herself this hard by working such long hours. That would also mean Zoe could go to sleep with me in my bed—which is exactly where she belongs.
"Zoe, baby, time to wake up," I croon softly as I gently tuck some hair behind her ear. God, she's so beautiful.
She took her hair down and combed her fingers through it when she got in the car. It was all I could do to concentrate on driving as she did it. It was a hell of a show. Now, it's fanning around her beautiful face like liquid fire. The woman damn near takes my breath away. She catches me staring at her when she opens her green eyes, blinking the sleep away.
I lean over and capture her mouth in a soft kiss. I tease her lips open as her tongue shyly dances with mine. The kiss is so full of emotion that I groan. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I don't want to stop kissing her. I tighten my fingers into her hair, pulling her to me, wanting to devour her sweetness.
"Wow," she breathes when we pull apart. I barely stop from moaning as she nibbles at the corner of her lip. Something about just being close to Zoe brings me peace. I'm not worried about work or anything else when I'm with her. There’s just the two of us. That feeling warms me completely. It's heavy, consuming, and life changing. When a man finds that, he doesn’t let go.
"Let's get you inside," I tell her, hopping out of the car and half-jogging around to her door to help her out before guiding her up to her porch.
"Thank you for the ride," Zoe tells me.
I smile as I take the keys from her hand. She's still half asleep, but I can see the frown brewing on her face like she wants to argue, but she doesn't. I open the door and guide her inside with my hand on her back, turning to lock the door behind me. When I turn around, she's staring at me.