Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“Well, it’s a bit disturbing. But in a classy way.”
“Thanks.” Then I turn in a slow circle, taking it all in as well. When I meet Rosie’s eyes, I say, “I like it. But everything can be changed if you don’t.”
“It’s your bedroom, Amon. Why would you care if I like it?”
There are only a few steps between us, so I erase that distance and wrap my arms around her waist, tugging her close to me. “Because I want you. It’s as simple as that.”
Her breasts heave as she takes in a deep breath. “How do you know?”
“That I want you? Come on, Rosie. Everyone wants you.”
She nearly snorts. “That’s simply not true. Or why would I still be single?”
“Well, that’s obvious, of course. You’re still single because I just got back. You and I were meant to be. It’s just… well, the last time I saw you, that boy of yours was in your belly and I was on my way to the marines. The world wasn’t ready for us.”
“And twelve years later, it is?”
“More than ready. It’s dying for us to get serious.”
She lets out another breath, pulling back, making me let go of her. Then she turns and takes a seat on the bed. I watch, grinning, as she traces her fingertips over the silk comforter. Then grabs a fistful of it as she looks up at me. “It really is soft.”
I sit down beside her, then flop back onto the bed, looking up at the open top of the bedframe. “Rosie, you will sleep naked every night in this bed just to feel this silky velvet across your body, that’s how soft it is.”
She flops back with me, our shoulders touching. “Is that how you sleep?”
I turn my head and grin at her. “So. Guest room? Or my room?”
“Your room!” Cross calls from downstairs.
Rosie sits up. “Cross Harlow! You better not be eavesdropping! That’s rude!”
“Just tell the man you’re sleeping upstairs. Can I go outside and check out the dogs?”
I say, “Sure,” just as Rosie says, “No!” And we look at each other.
“Moooom!”
“It’s safe out there, Rosie. Collin and I have put together a little army that every nation on the planet would die for. No one is gonna get him here.”
She closes her eyes, then opens them again. “OK,” she calls down. “But stay close to this house. And do not go in those woods!”
Cross grumbles. “Why in the world would I go into the woods in the middle of the night?” Then we hear the slapping of a screen door as he leaves.
Rosie looks at me, shaking her head. “Sometimes he’s a handful.”
Which makes me laugh. “Rosie, think back to when I was twelve and picture what I was getting up to. Cross is an angel compared to me.”
She chuckles. “Well, I didn’t know you then. I would’ve been only ten.” She side-eyes me. “But I did follow your antics and I do believe that was the summer that you set off firecrackers in the tent during Revival.”
I laugh just thinking about it. “Oh, those days were fun.”
“You must’ve exasperated your parents to no end.”
“Well, yeah. They did get pretty tired of Jim Bob demoting them over my chronic unruliness. But they were very good sports about it in the grand scheme of things. Probably because they had pinned their hopes and dreams on the sisters coming up behind me.” I wink. “It was a good hedge, that bet. Speaking of, do you hang out with any of my sisters? I haven’t had time to ask them.”
“Not really. Eden is four years younger than me, which would put her at eleven that year I became an adult. And the rest are even further apart. But of course I know them, like I know everyone else in this town.”
“We’ve got a bowling thing going with them on Fridays and that’s tomorrow. Collin and Lowyn will be there. Nash and Ryan too. Plus a few of the incorrigible assholes outside. Should we make a date of it? Cross could come as well.”
“Our first Disciple date.” She looks up at me, those gray eyes bright and shining. “Sounds fun, so yes. I would love that. But as far as tonight goes, I’m gonna stay downstairs with Cross. I just feel like sharing a bedroom should be more intentional, and not based on fear.”
“Are you afraid?”
“No. But the whole reason I’m here is because my ex is stalking me. And I don’t want to combine the two things to the point where they are inseparable.”
Even though we’ve already had sex twice now, she’s right. Sharing a bedroom is a step above. Especially with a kid in the mix. “That sounds fair. But if you don’t mind, I think I will sleep on the couch then.”
“Why?”
“It’s just my nature. To put myself between you and the door. And in my world, a door equals danger. Even here on the Edge compound.” I put up a hand. “Not literally, Rosie. No one is coming through that door. It’s just training. Ingrained and all that, ya know?”