Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Jesus,” he muttered, stopping so that I could see his boots. “Can you get up from that for a minute?”
Slowly, I stood and turned to look at him. His eyes went to my boobs, then snapped back up to meet my eyes. I watched his jaw tense as the muscles in his neck flexed. Oh, that was not good for me. The area between my legs that had gotten me into this mess tingled. I had to cover a gasp with a cough—it had hit so hard. Lately, I’d been waking up achy, as if I had been having sex dreams.
“I, uh, didn’t know you would still be doing that,” he said, his eyes glancing back at my chest again before he looked away. “So, anyway, Trev came by, and his girlfriend is having a party tonight. Aspen will be there. They want you to come.” He cut his eyes back at me.
Trev Hughes. The Mafia boss’s son. Um, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do that. Even if it was to see Aspen. Did Levi know and that other guy? I chewed on my bottom lip nervously. This was a bad idea.
“I don’t think Levi would want me there. Or Blaise.”
Saxon’s eyes were on my mouth this time. The thing that was doing to my body was not good. It was slightly embarrassing. I needed to cross my legs to get some relief.
“Yeah, they know. Aspen wants you there, and Levi does whatever she asks. As for Blaise, he has no issue with you.”
I wanted to laugh. I’d beg to differ. They had a major issue with me.
“Does Levi do whatever Aspen wants mean I’m in danger if I don’t go?”
Saxon frowned. “You’re not in danger from Levi or anyone. You’re with me.”
I didn’t know the Mafia hierarchy, but I was pretty sure Levi outranked Saxon. He was older and terrifying.
“Are you sure about that?”
He nodded. “Positive.”
“But do you want me to go?” Because I doubted he did. It was clear he wanted to stay away from me if he could.
“Yes.”
He was lying.
“You’re a bad liar,” I replied.
“We can’t all be as talented at it as you.”
Ouch. He could have slapped me, and it wouldn’t have hurt as bad. I’d thought we had called some truce or something. But he was still taking swings. Maybe I had made that up in my head.
“I’ll stay here. Thanks for the invite,” I replied and started to walk toward my room.
I wasn’t sure if I would burst into tears or not. Controlling that was difficult with my hormones going crazy.
“Haisley, wait.” Saxon moved to stand in my way. “I’m sorry.”
I took a step to the side to get around him, and his hand wrapped around my arm. I stilled. Why did that simple touch make my body feel like it had been hit by a jolt of electricity?
“I shouldn’t have said that. Will you forgive me?”
Crap, this was too much. He was close, the smell of leather and pine was invading my senses, and his hand was on me.
Do not cry. Do not cry.
“I want you to go.” His voice dropped, and I shivered.
I couldn’t look at him. I stared at the floor. “Okay.”
“Are you about to cry?” he asked me, turning toward me.
I shook my head.
“Then, look at me.”
I shook my head again.
He took my chin and lifted it. I took a deep breath and tried to look as normal as I could as my eyes met his. But seeing the concern in his gaze made my eyes burn.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry.” His voice was gentle. Too gentle.
A tear broke free and slid down my face. “It’s just pregnancy hormones,” I whispered.
His thumb brushed the tear away.
“Don’t be sweet,” I warned him. “I can’t stop crying if you are.”
He frowned. “Why?”
I swallowed hard against the knot in my throat. “It’s just been a while since I’ve had sweet. I was finally adjusting to having no one care. Don’t act like you do. I’ll fall apart.”
“Fuck,” he muttered and pulled me against his chest.
His arms wrapped around me, and the tears I had warned him about broke free as I began to sob. He held my head against his chest gently with his hand.
I gripped at his shirt, knowing I shouldn’t be doing this and that I would regret it later, and I let all the sadness out. Missing my family, missing having people around who loved me and wanted me there. Being alone and having no one while I faced a future I had no clue how I was going to handle. But more than that, I cried because I had been in love with this man and been forced to let him go. Make him hate me. Just like life seemed to hate me.
“I do care, Haisley. You’re not alone in this. You’re here because I care.”