Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lap, and with his other hand, he grazed my cheek back and forth with his index finger, settling it on my chin.
“I’ve spent the last few years being shy Landon and it hasn’t gotten me anywhere. I really like you, Brooke, and I have liked you for a long time. And since I’m being honest… it’s taking everything in me right now not to kiss you.”
I leaned in until our lips were almost touching. “So kiss me,” I murmured.
I had been kissed before, but kissing Landon was completely different in every aspect of the gesture. He softly grabbed the back of my neck and effortlessly pulled me to him. When our lips touched, it was like fireworks had exploded all around us; our connection was breathing into our veins and making itself home.
His lips were soft and when his tongue beckoned my mouth to open for him, I did, feeling the silkiness of Landon. Only Landon.
He tasted of peppermint and beer, and I fell in love with the taste and feel of him in that moment. There was nothing else like it. We let our lips speak for the years of chemistry and undisclosed emotions. Our kiss became heady and intoxicating; I felt him everywhere, even though he wasn’t touching me. It left me craving more. I wanted more.
I wanted all of him.
“Landon!” Aaron yelled, breaking our trance and spell over one another. I shook my head before looking behind me. “Your sister is drunk as shit and making a scene. You need to get her out of here.”
“Fuck! Come on.” He grabbed my hand, helping me off the ground and we ran until we came face-to-face with the ruckus.
“Fuck you, Derrick! I know you have been cheating on me, you son of a bitch!” Christine roared, pushing him.
“You crazy bitch! Get your hands off me!” Derrick roughly grabbed her wrists and Landon placed himself in between them.
“Don’t. Touch. My. Sister,” he barked in a tone I had never heard before.
Derrick put his hands in the air in a surrendering gesture. “I mean no harm, man, just take her home.”
He nodded and turned, placing her over his shoulder and carrying her.
“Fuck you, Derrick! I hate you! Do you hear me? I hate you!”
“Christine, shhh! Calm down!” I warned, knowing that Landon was about to lose his shit on her.
He threw her in the backseat and she was passed out within seconds of us closing the car doors.
“Unbelievable,” he breathed out, putting the car in reverse and backing out.
“You can’t take her home, Landon. Your parents will freak out and never let her out of the house again.”
“Maybe that’s what she needs, a fucking wake up call. I’m tired of covering for her ass.”
“I know, but you can’t. Just this last time… please… take her to my house. My mom’s out of town, my sisters are at sleepovers, and I’m sure my dad is already passed out, it’s late.”
He sighed, nodding and not looking at me. I knew his frustration had nothing to do with me, but I couldn’t help but feel responsible. He parked his car at the end of my gated driveway and we used the service entrance to carry her up to my bedroom. He laid her face down on my bed and I pulled the covers up, placing a bucket beside her just in case.
“I’m really sorry, Landon.”
He shook his head and grabbed the side of my face. “This isn’t your fault. I’m mostly pissed that she ruined our night.”
I shyly smiled. “I’ll walk you out.”
We walked hand-in-hand toward the stairs when I heard something shatter coming from my parents’ bedroom.
“That’s weird. I didn’t see my dad’s car in the driveway,” I whispered. “I’ll be right back.”
“Hell no, Brooke, I’m coming with you, it could be…” He shook his head, thinking of the possibilities I was sure. “Let’s go.”
I didn’t think it was a burglar or anything, but it made me feel better that he was coming with me. The closer we got, the faster my heart sped. The apprehension quickly took over, causing my palms to grow sweaty and my breathing to shorten. It wasn’t until I heard his voice…
That my whole world came tumbling down.
<>D<>
“Hello,” I answered my phone, about to step into my car to head back to campus.
“Hello, can I please speak to Devon Hill?”
“This is him,” I replied, leaning against the door jam.
“Good evening, Mr. Hill, I am sorry to contact you so late but it’s been difficult for me to find your contact information.”
“No worries, what can I help you with?”
She laughed. “I’m actually your aunt, Cathy.”
“Excuse me?”
She laughed again. “Yeah… I know it sounds pretty crazy, but I am married, or widowed now… to your uncle actually.”
“My uncle?” I replied, taken aback.