Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Damn, he was so stubborn.
He slid her panties on. Next went on her pajama pants, then her top. They had images of cupcakes all over them.
“Anita bought me these for my birthday.” And she loved them. But she also felt a bit childish in front of this sexy, sophisticated man.
“They’re adorable.” He cleared his throat as though he hadn’t meant to say that. “Pee. I’ll be back in a moment,” he told her.
Good of him to give her some privacy to pee on her own. But also, she kind of missed him as soon as he left.
So silly.
After she used the toilet, she brushed her teeth. She was just rinsing when he walked back in and took hold of her hand.
He ushered her into her bedroom, and she noticed with some amazement that he’d already pulled back the covers and drawn the curtains. The only light on was the one beside her bed.
“Wow. How the heck are you single?” she asked as he tucked her into bed.
“I was waiting for you.”
Oh, man. That was so sweet. She really hoped he meant it.
He kissed her forehead. “Do you need anything else to sleep?”
She reached out and took hold of his hand. “Would you stay? I mean, you don’t have to. If you don’t want to. I just thought maybe . . .”
“Stay as long as I can, but I may have to go take care of some things. Don’t worry if you wake up and I’m not here. I’ll be back tomorrow to take you to get your car. And I’ll leave you my phone number. All right?”
“Yes, okay.”
He stepped back and took off his shoes, then his shirt. She stared at his chest in amazement. Boy, he was ripped. She didn’t know why she’d worried that he’d hurt himself lifting her. He looked like he could bench press a car.
His chest was covered in dark hair, and she wanted to lay her head on it, to listen to his heartbeat. To feel his arms around her, keeping her safe.
“Scoot over, baby.”
“But this is my side.”
“It’s the side closest to the door.”
“Oh, in case you have to leave in a hurry? Are you a doctor?”
“No, if anyone comes in here to attack you, they’ll have to get through me first. And no one will get through me to harm you.”
A rush of surprise and happiness filled her.
What had she ever done to deserve this man?
9
She was moping.
Even though he’d warned her that he’d likely have to leave, she’d hoped he’d still be there when she woke up.
Instead, she’d woken up to a cold, empty bed.
So now she was sulking on her one day off. But at least he’d left his phone number.
He still hasn’t told you what he does, though.
No. And she got the feeling that was because it was nothing good.
She wasn’t sure how to feel about that.
Thoughts of Ice and his friends who were part of the Ventura gang ran through her head. Could that be it?
What would she do if he was some criminal kingpin? Would she still be interested in being with him?
The fact was, she wasn’t certain at this stage that she could be without him. Just look at her now. It had been a few hours and she was ready to get out the ice cream she was feeling so down.
Stupid girl.
It had only been a few hours. This was ridiculous.
Sitting on the couch, she picked up her coffee and brought her legs up, tucking her oversized sweatshirt over her knees. Then she switched the television on to watch a home improvement show. She loved these shows.
A knock on the door came a few minutes later. She frowned over at it, but untucked her legs and walked over, looking through the peephole.
Victor.
Her heart raced. She glanced down at herself. Holy. Shit.
Why hadn’t she dressed in something better? She hadn’t even done her hair.
“Gracen? You in there?”
Oh, crap. Oh, crap. She frantically gazed around the room. For what, she had no idea.
“Gracen!” His voice was growing increasingly agitated.
“Yes, I’m here.”
“You going to open the door?”
“Not yet.”
“What? Gracen, open the door. What’s wrong? Is someone in there with you?”
“What? No, no. I just . . . I’m not decent.”
“I don’t care if you’re decent or not. Just unlock the door. Now.”
There was no way she could ignore the command in his voice. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stared up into his hard face. His gaze took in the room, searching for something before he stared down at her.
Rage filled his face making her eyes widen. What was it? Why was he so upset? She glanced down at herself and around the apartment. Was it because she’d taken a couple of minutes to answer the door? But he hadn’t seemed mad until he’d seen her.