Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
I do pull away this time and stand up. The movement is too fast, and the dizziness hits me. I grab on to the edge of the couch as everything starts to go black. It’s as if I’m looking through a tunnel, seeking the light when all of a sudden, I feel Gray’s arms around me.
When I get my bearings, I’m sitting on Gray’s lap, his arms secured around me. I lift my head, and Gray warns me, “Don’t even think about getting up.”
There’s something in his voice, and it sounds like fear more than anything else.
“I’m not, but I’m probably too heavy. I can sit...”
He cuts me off. “You can sit right here.”
I nod and lean my head against his chest.
His heart is racing, and there’s something comforting about the steady beat of it against my hand.
He starts to talk in a soothing voice. “This is how it’s going to play out. You’re going to sit here, and I’m going to pack up your stuff. We’re going to fly into Whiskey Run, and I’m going to get you settled there. We’ll get you an appointment with the doctor in town to make sure everything is okay with you and the baby. You’re going to catch up on some rest and...”
“I can’t.” I interrupt him.
He stops and looks at me. “Why? What is it, Ellie? You don’t want to leave this place? I promise you and the baby will be safe.” When I don’t say anything, he continues, “Or what? Do you have someone here... I mean, have you met someone?”
He stutters the words, and I swear it almost sounds like he’s jealous. I roll my eyes and slap my hand on his chest. “I’m married to you, Gray.”
His mouth opens and then closes again. With a firm nod, he says, “Yeah, you are. And as your husband, I’m asking you to come home with me.”
Say no. Say no. I’m telling myself to say no even though I want to do the opposite. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say it, but I don’t know who’s more surprised, me or him, when I say, “Okay. I’ll go home with you.”
Chapter 5
Gray
It was a week ago that I brought Ellie home to Whiskey Run. I still can’t believe she said yes, but I didn’t give her any time to change her mind. I packed up all her belongings, which was only clothes and toiletries, and I put us on the next plane to Tennessee.
I spent a lot of time on the phone on the trip, which was fine because Ellie slept the whole way. It’s amazing what a group of bikers can get done, but by the time we landed, I had secured an apartment, it was filled with furniture, food, and supplies, and I had scheduled Ellie a doctor’s appointment for the next day. I was even able to get someone to pick up my bike and drop off a car at the airport for us. Everything went so smoothly that I couldn’t help but wonder if all of this, me, Ellie, all of it, was meant to be.
The doctor examined her and deemed her and the baby in good health. He gave her medication for the nausea that is safe for the baby, and already Ellie’s feeling a lot better.
Ellie has settled in at her apartment. I’m still staying at the clubhouse, but I come and see Ellie every day, and every day I have to force myself to leave her. I definitely have an attraction for her, but I know she’s off limits. I have to keep reminding myself that she’s not mine... no matter how much I want her to be.
Before I can even get to the front door, it swings open, and Ellie is smiling at me. In a week, the transformation I see in her is amazing. She seems happy to see me and grabs my hand pulling me inside. I laugh. “What’s going on?”
She sits down on the couch. “I’m going crazy, that’s what.”
I’m not too worried since she’s still smiling at me. “Crazy, huh? Why do you think that?”
“Well, I’m feeling way better, and I can’t just keep sitting around here. I went to the library today and made some resumes and then took them around to a few places. Do you know how hard it is to find a job in a small town?”
I stand up. “Hold on a second. I’ll be right back.”
I run outside to get the pamphlets I picked up earlier today and then jog back toward the apartment. When I let myself in, the smile on Ellie’s face is gone. “Shoot, Gray, I’m sorry. You have to think that I sound so ungrateful. I can’t believe that I’m complaining to you about being bored, especially after everything you’ve done for me.”