Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“So soon?”
“I’m sorry. I’m just wiped out.” I gave her a hug as I asked, “Why don’t we take Dalton to the beach tomorrow? We could take a picnic and spend the day there.”
“Oh, I would love that.”
“Then, it’s a plan.” I stuck my head into the hall as I shouted, “Night, Dad.”
“Night, Lou.”
With a smile on my face, I slipped into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and washed my face, attempting to wash away the worries of the day. Sadly, it didn’t help. As soon as I crawled into bed, my mind went straight to Malcomb, and the memories started playing over and over in my head like a broken record.
It wasn’t anything new.
It happened every time I came home.
All those feelings would come creeping back in, and I’d find myself missing him. I missed the way he would smile the second he spotted me in a crowded room. I missed him reaching for my hand when we walked across the street or into a busy place. I missed being the one he told his secrets to.
I’d held onto to those secrets, just like I’d held on to our box of memories I had hidden under my bed. I cherished all the little mementos—just like I cherished the first time he told me that he loved me.
It was late, and it had been snowing for hours. We were in his bedroom. Malcomb was on his phone talking to one of the brothers while I was over by the window, watching the flakes as they collected on the pine trees. I had no idea Malcomb was behind me until I heard him say, “You’re really something, you know that?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re smart. You’re beautiful. You get along with everybody, and you put up with me.” He stepped closer. “I have no idea what the hell I did to get so lucky.”
“I think I’m the lucky one.”
His eyes locked on mine as he leaned forward, but just as his lips were about to touch mine, he paused. My lips parted and our breaths mingled, making my entire body hum. “I love you, Twinkles.”
Without saying another word, he slipped his hand behind my neck and pulled me forward, crashing his mouth against mine. His lips were soft and full as they covered mine. It was like they were made just for me. His warm, wet tongue ran across my bottom lip as his hands snaked down my back. They were strong and assured as he pulled me closer to him.
I’d thought about this moment for months.
I loved Malcomb, but I didn’t know how or when to tell him.
So, I kept my feelings to myself and waited, praying that one day he would feel the same about me. Feeling both relieved and elated, I leaned back, breaking from our embrace and whispered, “I love you, too, Malcomb.”
I watched in wonder as he lowered his mouth down to mine, kissing me softly, so gentle and sweet. His hands were strong and self-assured as they drifted over my back and waist, his scent circling around me. Goosebumps swept across my flesh when he delved further into my mouth, exploring every inch with his tongue. His fingers dug into my hips as he pulled me closer to him, forcing a light moan to vibrate through my chest.
We were both lost in the moment when his door flew open and Torch announced, “Alright, enough of that shit. We’re going sledding.”
“In the dark?”
“Well, hell yeah! It’s the best time to go.” Torch started out the door as he told us, “Now, quit pawing all over each other and grab your fucking coats. We have a race to win.”
And with that, our little romantic moment was over.
It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
I had a blast sledding with Malcomb and his brothers. The thought had me smiling, but it didn’t last long. Those times had come and gone, and deep down, I knew they were nothing more than distant memories.
And that’s all they would ever be.
CHAPTER 5
Savage
The time had finally come.
After a great deal of deliberation, the club decided to move forward with our partnership with Bruton. We’d gone back and forth about working with him, but after he’d stepped up and helped out when we needed it most, we’d all decided that he’d proven himself trustworthy—which was no easy feat.
From the beginning, we’d had our doubts about him, and rightly so. He’d lied about his identity and basically stalked us, having us followed and acquiring intel on all the brothers and their families. And if that wasn’t enough, a couple of his men beat the shit out of Q and Rooster and caused a fire at the clubhouse.
He was willing to do whatever it took to convince us to work with him and become his new distributor. He had excuses for everything he’d done, but we saw them for what they were.