Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
An inexplicable pull had me turning onto his driveway and continuing up until I came to a stop in front of the garage. I cut the engine and looked at his front door. The house was slightly curved in a wide U shape, with a wraparound porch that extended to the side of the cabin. The front door was in the center of the porch, a couple of white chairs sitting on either end. Off to the right, I could see a large wooden building, maybe a workshop or storage shed. It was massive though, with twin bay doors and a couple small windows lining the top of the frame.
His home was beautiful.
I exhaled roughly once more before opening the car door and stepping outside. I could hear banging in the distance, but because it echoed off the trees, I couldn’t tell which direction it came from.
With my keys in hand, I curled my fingers around them until the teeth were digging into my palms. It was the pain that had me loosening my grip and telling myself to get ahold of my emotions. I’d be here five minutes at most, and all I had to do was apologize then leave. I’d put Mateo Braxton out of my mind forever.
But this tightening in my stomach told me that might not be the case, that maybe I couldn’t just forget about him. Because the pull I felt toward him was too strong, so intense I actually found myself walking toward the front door before I even knew I was moving.
I was at the front of the door before I realized how I’d gotten there. It seemed my body was on autopilot. I brought my knuckles down on the wood three times then took a step back. My mouth dried and my throat tightened. I felt like my heart was going to burst through my chest. God, I was nervous.
Only seconds passed, but it felt like a lifetime. No one answered. Maybe it was a sign. Maybe I should just turn around and go home. But something kept me rooted to the spot. Then I heard that banging again, and it drew me out of my thoughts. It was coming from the back.
I didn’t know why I started making my way back down the steps and walked around the side of the cabin toward his backyard. But again, before I knew what was happening, I was rounding one side of the house and coming to a stop beside a large deck. It was then I spotted him, between the tree line, his shirt off, and sweat beading his chest.
Mateo was massive, with broad shoulders, and a very impressive chest that tapered down to a narrow waist. His pectoral muscles were defined, and a light sprinkling of short dark hair covered them in a purely masculine way. And then there was his abdomen, his six-pack visible even from the distance, so hot I actually reached out and curled my hand around one of the banisters of the deck to steady myself.
Every part of me heated at the sight of him chopping wood. Yeah, he was chopping wood without a shirt on and looking so damn good I felt myself become wet in arousal.
And then he stopped chopping and looked in my direction. And I swore I could see the fire burning in his blue eyes.
And it was for me.
Chapter Four
Mateo
I was about to bring my ax down on another log when I sensed I wasn’t alone. My body tightened, my muscles straining under my skin, and I straightened, setting my ax down and looking around. Living in the woods meant you had to adapt, that you had to have a sixth sense. It was for survival to know your surroundings and to always be alert and ready.
Then I saw her, standing over by the deck, holding onto the railing as if she needed it for stability. Instantly, my body came alive.
I didn’t even hesitate to stride straight over to her, this beast becoming another entity inside me. It was like I’d been dormant this whole time, hibernating until she’d come along.
I heard this deep rumble that seemed to echo off the trees, but I realized it was coming for me, coming from my chest, as if I were a predator about to pounce on my prey.
And she was my prey. Mine.
I watched as her eyes widened the closer I got. She took a step back. Her instincts told her to run away, the fight-or-flight response whispering for her to get the fuck out of here. But I’d just chase her. And I’d find her. I didn’t know what it was about this woman, but I would have her as mine no matter what.
I stopped a few feet from where she stood, giving her some space even though what I really wanted to do was press my body against hers, feel how soft she was, how curvy she was against my hardness. My dick was painfully erect, digging against the zipper of my denim, demanding to be free. The motherfucker wanted to be buried deep inside her.