Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Reaching out, he took Keira’s hand and saw the small smile that played across her face in his peripheral vision. How one person could affect him as strongly as she did left him confused but so fucking... happy. Shit, when was the last time he’d ever experienced happiness?
He couldn't even remember.
It wasn’t about sex, although he wouldn’t lie and say she didn’t make him crazy aroused. It was about getting to know who she was and hoping he could show her who he really was.
It was about showing her they belonged together.
Whoa, that thought filled his head in a steady beat, refusing to let up. It seemed pretty fucking final, and he gave her hand a squeeze. That was something he’d keep to himself, for right now at least.
But one day, maybe one day soon, he’d tell her that she was his and he wasn’t going to let her go.
As soon as Reese started heading farther to the outskirts of town, Keira knew exactly where he was going. He was going to Angel’s Sin Lake, which was directly fed from Devil’s Bluff Lake. It was at the base of the mountain, and a much smaller version of the main lake in town, but because it butted up against private property, and due to the small size and lack of privacy, no one partied here. That was all done at Devil’s Bluff.
But unless you hiked, the only real way to get to Angel’s Sin was through the road that was on private property, which was owned by an elderly man who had lost his wife a few years back. Because of his reputation for just being miserable and likely shooting first and asking questions later, everyone just stayed away.
Reese pulled the truck onto a narrow dirt road then came to a stop when a rustic, very clearly homemade gate came into view. It was nothing more than a large piece of lumber rigged up to be swung outward to let a vehicle pass. And then of course there was the No Trespassing sign nailed to it.
He cut the engine and glanced at her, smiling.
“What are we doing?” Keira whispered, although it wasn’t like anyone could hear them.
He didn’t speak as he climbed out of the truck. She was still confused on why they were on private property and prayed he wasn’t doing some rebellious streak like trespassing. She was all about letting up the reins on her good girl thing she had going on, but going to jail wasn’t high on her bucket list.
She climbed out before he could open her door then just stood there. The nights were getting chillier, and she felt goose bumps pop out along her arms. He came around from the back of the truck, and she noticed he held a blanket.
“It’s a surprise,” he said, answering her question from just moments before, and took her hand before leading them past the gate and onto the property. Then they made their way down the darkened path that was only wide enough for one vehicle.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to the side of his body. He was hard where she was soft, warm where she felt cold. The chill on her arms raced away instantly as he held her.
They walked in silence for a while, and as the trees parted, she could see Angel’s Sin Lake. The moon was full, and its silvery glow lit it up as if it were ablaze. The lake itself was small but surrounded by the lush forest, the massive mountains right up against it.
“Reese, what if we’re caught? This is private property, and as much as I like spending time with you, ending my night in a jail cell with you isn’t high on my list.”
He chuckled. “We won’t get caught. I’ve been coming here for years, and the owner is so old he’s in bed for the night before the sun even sets. I promise, I won’t let you get in trouble.” He tightened his hand, which was still wrapped around her shoulders, and she nodded as they started walking again.
Although she wasn’t the type of person to break rules, she couldn’t lie and say a part of her didn’t feel exhilarated over this.
They kept walking, and soon the trail turned into wilderness. He helped her maneuver the rough terrain, and the closer they got to the lake and away from the owner’s house, the more at ease she felt. And as the trees opened up again, that's when she saw the dilapidated structure just up ahead. It could have been a barn, or maybe it was a home at one point. But either way, it looked like it stood on its last legs.
The roof was half missing, the windows long sense broken out. They stepped inside, and the sight of age and decay was evident. It was like a look into the past.