Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 19506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
I rested my head on his strong chest and we slowly swayed back and forth. It didn’t matter that the song had a quick pace and thumping beat; I only cared about the beat of his heart against my cheek and his arms around me.
Rider pressed kisses to the top of my head and rubbed his hands up and down my back, making me feel both cherished and secure. I feared nothing around me because I knew who stood before me.
I raised my head and looked up to find Rider gazing down at me with a smile. “I’m the luckiest man in here,” he insisted.
I was the lucky one; I’d found a man who stripped me of my fears and showed me my worth. I never thought I’d feel like this; never thought I deserved to feel like this. And I was ready to share those feelings with Rider.
“Can we go outside and talk for a minute?” I asked above the thump of the song.
His hands went still on my back. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no, everything is great. I’d just like some privacy.”
“Of course.”
“I’m going to hit the restroom really quickly first.” My drink was knocking on my bladder, and I didn’t want any distractions during our heart-to-heart. Rider nodded and pointed at a hallway that branched off of the dance floor. Then he gave me a searing kiss that made it difficult to leave at all. But, I forced one foot in front of the other until I found the door to the restroom.
I pushed inside and was surprised at how much quieter the room was. The sudden lack of music made my ears pop and ring, but they felt better with a quick shake of my head.
After taking care of business, I turned on the faucet and scrubbed my hands at one of the sinks. The door opened behind me, but I paid no attention until a familiar voice said, “Well, well, look who it is.”
I looked into the mirror and saw a reflection that made my heart drop and my face pale. “Brad.” He typically chose to party at home, but I supposed now that he didn’t have someone to clean up after him, he ventured out.
He stomped up beside me, crowding my space with his large body. “Just who the fuck do you think you are, running out on me?”
I took a deep breath and resolve settled over me. I realized that I didn’t owe this asshole anything; not an explanation, or even a moment of my time. I dried my hands on my jeans and turned before stepping around him.
But Brad caught me by the shoulder and spun me around. He leaned forward, pressing his nose to mine and glaring into my eyes. “You don’t get to walk away from me. Not after everything I did for you.”
Anger boiled up inside of me at his words. And for the first time, I wasn’t afraid to let him have it. “The only thing you did was make my life a living hell. You used me, abused me, and treated me like a fucking servant. You made me feel worthless so you could walk all over me, but you’re the one who’s worthless.” I tried to push him away, but it was like pushing a brick wall.
“How dare you talk to me like that?” He growled back. He was angrier than I’d ever seen him. “I treated you better than you deserved, you pathetic little shit.” Brad pushed me against the wall, trapping me there with his hands on my shoulders. “I’ll give you one chance to beg for forgiveness, or I’ll give you exactly what you deserve.”
I didn’t care what he did to me; I wasn’t taking his shit anymore. I swished my lips around to gather saliva, and then spat in his face. Fury flashed in his eyes as he pulled back his fist. I braced myself for impact, but then he was gone.
A loud thump sounded when Rider slammed Brad against the wall, pinning him there with his hand around his throat. My mate was pure power as he stared daggers at my attacker.
“Who the fuck are you?” Brad squeaked out from around Rider’s grip. But my mate didn’t answer; he looked too angry for words as he breathed heavily, holding a squirming Brad in place. Brad’s eyes bounced to me and back before lighting with realization. “He belongs to you.”
“We belong to each other,” Rider finally answered in a voice unlike his own; it was deeper and more primal.
Part of me wanted my mate to squeeze the life out of Brad, while the other half would be satisfied if he beat him to a bloody pulp. But Rider did neither one.
He leaned in closer and threatened in a bone-chilling tone, “If you ever try to touch Trey, or speak to him, or even show your face here again, I will rip your body into so many pieces, they’ll never all be found.”