Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 154925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
It was still there. She was everything Julia had said she was because there was a part of her that wanted to put her hands on Kyle’s waist and tilt her head up so he would kiss her. If he kissed her, she could forget everything and have a couple of hours where she pretended they could work.
“She can’t begin to comprehend the truth about us.” Kyle’s expression had gone perfectly earnest as he stood there, mere inches between their bodies. “Baby, you might never forgive me, but do not think for a single second that this was some way to get you out of my life. You are my life. My only thought in those moments was to save you. My head went back to a bad place, a place I thought I’d left behind. I didn’t think. I acted out of pure panic.”
“And then you had months to correct the situation. Months to call me and let me help you.”
“I can’t. I can’t expose you to her again. She tortured you.”
“I wouldn’t call it torture. We fought. She won. She won’t find me so easy to deal with this time. This time I’m taking her down, and I’m going to do it for me. Not you.”
Now his hands came up, cupping her shoulders. “You are not getting close to her. I won’t let that happen.”
Adrenaline rushed through her system as she reacted exactly the way Big Tag and Erin had taught her. It was second nature now to bring her arms up and out, breaking his hold on her. She turned as she brought her elbow back and caught Kyle in the solar plexus.
She heard a satisfying gasp as he tried to drag air into his lungs. She started to turn so she could explain to Kyle that this wasn’t going to go the way he wanted, but before she could begin to pivot, he was on her. One big arm wrapped around her, and she was dragged back against his chest. She could feel the hard length of his cock right against her ass.
“Yeah, baby. You damn near took the thing off me not an hour ago. It still aches but I’m ready to use it on you because you are the only woman in the world I want.” His mouth was warm against her ear. “I don’t care how many men you’ve had since I’ve been gone. Let me show you why I’m the only one for you. Let me.”
She brought her foot down on his toe, but he didn’t let go.
“Let me, baby. You know you need this. You haven’t cried. You need to cry.”
After everything she’d been through, yes, she did, but it couldn’t be soft and sweet. She was neither of those things any longer. But it didn’t mean she couldn’t get what she needed. When she thought about it, he owed her.
“Hey, are you two okay?” Drake and his girlfriend were standing by the bar. Drake frowned as though he thought he would have to step in.
She needed to prove something to all of these people.
“We’re fine. You don’t…” Kyle’s statement was cut short as she managed to get enough leverage that she flipped him over her shoulder and he landed with a hard thud on the carpet of the lounge, his handsome face screwed up in a startled expression as he gazed up at her.
That felt good. She turned to Drake and Taylor. “We’re fine. I think I can handle him. You two should find a room and bed down for the night. Kyle can sleep on one of these lounge chairs. He likes to keep watch.”
Kyle flipped himself up like he was in a martial arts movie, and damn, but she wished that didn’t do something for her.
Then she wished she’d been a bit more careful because he moved in, and before she could counter, she found herself tossed over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.
“We’ll be fine, Drake. Trust me. She’s got a safe word. She knows how to use it but I’m betting she doesn’t, and if she does I’ll be sleeping outside her door. You two take the room marked Paradise City. We’ll be in the one across the hall. Don’t worry. They’re all soundproof.”
She tried to kick him, but his big arm held her legs tight. She used her fists on his back, but the bastard merely chuckled as he started toward the stairs.
“We’re going to work some things out,” Kyle tossed over his shoulder.
She growled and wriggled against him.
But she didn’t say her safe word. She didn’t even come close.
Chapter Ten
Kyle wasn’t sure if he was making a terrible mistake, but he couldn’t simply walk away from her. She needed him even if she wasn’t willing to make things easy on him.
“Put me down, Kyle.” Her fist beat on his back as he started up the stairs.