Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
She looks at the ceiling as if she’s thinking. “I don’t know. It was before I got onto the train.”
“Ava, the train ride was 25 hours. You’ve been here almost the same amount of time.”
She shrugs her shoulders, and I stand up, walking to her. I lift her into my arms and carry her to the kitchen before setting her down in the chair.
She doesn’t resist me when I pick her up, but she does voice her opinion about it. “What is it with you that you think you need to carry me everywhere like I’m some child or something?”
Her words hit me, but hell, there’s no way I think of her as a child. I set her at the dining table and walk away from her, grabbing items out of the refrigerator. “Maybe because you’re acting like one. You obviously can’t take care of yourself. You didn’t eat for 48 hours. Are you trying to kill yourself or what?”
She stands up, and when she looks at me with a sheen in her eyes, I realize I’ve really fucked up. “Actually, I’m not. I’m really trying to stay alive. I spent the last bit of my cash on the train ticket. I have credit cards, but I didn’t think I could use them on the train because they would find me. I’m sorry if I’m not sure what to do here. I’m not used to having people trying to track me down.”
I set the carton of eggs and pack of bacon in my hand down on the counter. I’m barely hanging on, and when one lone tear rolls down her face, I know I don’t have a choice. I go to her, picking her up again and sitting in the chair that she just got up from. I hold her in my lap, squeezing her to my chest. My voice is gruff. “Ignore me. I’m stupid.”
It makes her cry even harder.
“Come on, Ava. Please don’t cry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m mad at myself. I should have fed you last night.”
I rub my hands up and down her back. Her breasts are pressed against my chest, and I’m fighting my desire for her as much as possible. When her sobs slow down, I know I should get up, but I don’t. I keep holding on to her, only shifting her so she doesn’t feel the weight of my desire against her ass.
“I can get up,” she murmurs.
“No,” I tell her, holding her still. “You’re fine.” I lean back and lift her face up to meet mine. “I’m sorry. Do you forgive me?”
She nods, watching me.
The chemistry between us is undeniable, but before I let myself lean in and kiss her, I stand up and set her down, moving back into the kitchen. “Eggs, toast, and bacon okay with you?”
She’s watching my every move, and it’s good that I put the island between us. She feels it too. I’m older and way more experienced than her, obviously. She’s not even trying to hide her thoughts from me. The way she watches me and looks at me through her hooded eyes. And the way I see her pulse pick up at her throat when she’s near me. She wants me.
But one thing is for sure: She doesn’t have a clue what all that entails. I’m not all sweet and cuddly. I don’t think I could be with her. Fuck, sex with Ava would be life-altering, and I know it. That’s why I’m going to do my absolute very best to keep my thoughts—and my hands—to myself.
Chapter 6
Ava
He’s a good man. He fixed me a feast, and he’s still sitting here watching me as if I’m going to fall apart at any minute. I’m shoveling in the food he made as he watches me. I should be embarrassed by the way I’m scarfing it down, but I’m not. “Mmmmm, this is good.”
He smirks at me over his mug. “Thanks.”
He looks big and tough, but he’s obviously a marshmallow. When Cassie said I should come here, she said they would take care of me. I assumed a biker club could handle it, and honestly, by looking at the guys last night, I still believe it. But also, there’s a sense of guilt that overcomes me, like maybe I shouldn’t have brought this to their door.
“What’s wrong? If you don’t like it, I can fix you something else.”
I’m brought from my thoughts to Tank looking at me worriedly. I shake my head, trying to block the guilt. “No, this is perfect. Thank you.”
But he’s not going to give up. He obviously saw it on my face. “What’s the look for?”
I shake my head. “Nothing.” I look outside, and the sun has almost fully set. “Have you been waiting all day for me to wake up? Did I make you miss work?”