Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
The only thing that makes sense in my life is Luke Marshall. I don’t understand how it came to this—how we got here—and it boggles my mind that this is even real.
But it’s real. He’s real. I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life. I don’t care about the complications, although I know there will be some. I only care about being connected to him in a way I’ve never been connected with anyone else. I’ve buried so much of my pain, hidden it from the vultures swooping through my life, for many years.
I also hid the sense of feeling complete.
I’ve hidden it all because acknowledging it only brings on the hurt.
“I want nothing more than to carry you upstairs and show you exactly how much I’ve missed you,” he says, searching my eyes.
“Please do.”
His lips twitch. “I don’t want to take advantage of you, Laina.”
“You’re not. I promise.”
He gives me a soft, crooked smile.
“Luke, please,” I say, my tone thick with desperation. “Give me tonight.”
He pulls me into his chest, pressing his lips to my forehead. His heart pounds against my palms.
“It’s been a long couple of days,” he says, pulling back. “Why don’t we take it easy tonight? Just hang out. And if you’re still into it tomorrow, I’ll assume you won’t regret it. Because I can’t be a regret. I just can’t.”
My core burns, refusing to accept his offer, but my heart is a sap. How can I be mad at the man for wanting to do right by me? It’s sweet—annoying and frustrating, but sweet all the same.
“I hate you,” I say, squeezing my thighs together in a futile attempt to quell the ache between my legs.
He laughs. “You’ve said that once to me already today.”
“I feel it coming on a few more times before the day ends.”
“Why don’t you go get a shower and let me clean up dinner? Then we can watch a movie or something.”
I roll my eyes and walk around him. “I might lie in your room and read a book.”
“You get the couch, remember?”
“Absolutely not. You could’ve joined me in bed.” I stop at the doorway and turn to him. “And I would’ve made it worth your while.”
His nostrils flare.
“But you said no.”
I flash him a sweet smile and head up the stairs.
I wonder if he can make it all night …
Chapter Eleven
Laina
The fucker made it all night.
Chapter Twelve
Laina
“Come on,” Luke says, thrusting a cup of coffee into my hands. “Cheer up. It’s gonna be a beautiful day.”
“Let’s see how you feel about that when you’re wearing my drink.”
He laughs, enjoying my irritation entirely too much for his safety.
In Luke’s defense, he did let me sleep in. In my defense, I could’ve been tired out a lot more easily if he would’ve given in and fucked me last night. Even though that might not have been in our best interests, particularly because I’ll need to leave once the dust settles. But he was adamant, so maybe, just maybe, Luke Marshall isn’t interested in me.
At some point since I’ve been away from Peachwood Falls, it seems Luke has become a choir boy.
Damn him.
I love a thoughtful man. It’s so sexy. It’s such a turn-on. But it’s less appealing when you need an orgasm as badly as you need air, and the man you want to rail you grows a conscience.
“You could try to be a little nicer to me.” He smirks. “I even got up bright and early and drove to Chase’s to borrow a pair of Kennedy’s boots just for you.”
“I feel it coming on.”
“What are you talking about?”
I lean forward and whisper, “I hate you.”
All he does is laugh.
I down the rest of the caffeine and then follow him outside. He’s right—it is a beautiful day. The sun is high and bright, the birds are singing in the trees, and a perfect breeze rolls gently across the driveway as we approach the barn.
“You’re in luck,” he says.
“That’s exactly what I feel. Lucky.”
He rolls his eyes. “The weather has been really nice, so the horses have been in the pasture most of the time. The stalls aren’t awful.”
“Yay.”
“Come on,” he says, bumping me with his elbow. “This is going to be so much fun.”
“Luke, let me share something with you. Some things are fun, and others are not. Things that take place involving horse shit are not in the fun column. Ever. Okay? Let it go.”
“You’re testy this morning.”
I glare at him as he opens the doors to the barn.
“Being mean isn’t going to make this go any faster,” he says.
“Trust me. I know. For the past twelve hours, I’ve thought very mean things about you, and they’ve dragged on.”
His eyes sparkle as he walks me back until my backside touches the wall. I refuse to let him think he’s breaking me.