Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Headlights suddenly shine through the windows at me. I throw myself back down to the floor of the vehicle, silently cursing myself for sitting up in the first place. The road isn’t safe to begin with, but at night, you’re just asking for trouble being out here alone.
I should slip out of here while I can.
What if the traveler stops to take my supplies?
Before I can locate my shoes to throw them on, the lights suddenly cut off. I freeze, heart beating rapidly in my throat, and wonder what I could use for a weapon. Too bad the Goodland people didn’t include a Glock in their guest welcome backpacks.
I lift my head enough to peek out the windows to look for the newcomer. Since it’s pouring down rain now, it’s beyond dark and I can barely see past the van. Quickly, I toss my sweatshirt into my backpack and throw back on my athletic shoes. Once my backpack is on, I suck in a deep breath as I take hold of the inner hatch handle.
I’m going to have to run for it.
The rain drowns out the audible click of the handle. Slowly, I lift the hatch and then pounce to the asphalt, pebbles crunching underfoot. Without preamble, I take off in a sprint, heading in the opposite direction of my stalker.
Someone yells from the inky darkness behind me. Male. Angry. And now chasing after me since I gave up my location. Hoping against all hope he doesn’t have a gun, I ignore his calls, racing for the safety of the downpour.
If I can make it to there, I’m confident I can lose him.
I’ll get drenched, but at least I’ll still have my pack.
Behind me, the footsteps get louder and closer. Gritting my teeth together, I bear down and run harder, my long legs eating up the distance to my saving rain.
The cold curtain of water waiting for me is a shock to my system. I let out a yelp as every single dry part of me is immediately soaked through. My shoes splash through thick puddles as I continue to bolt from the man following me.
“Stop running!” he bellows from behind me—close, too close.
I can’t stop.
I refuse to.
That is, until I’m made to.
The man crashes into me, tackling me to the road. Every part of my body that impacts the pavement explodes with sharp pain. I cry out, struggling to crawl out from beneath my captor. With superhuman strength, the man rips my backpack off me and then rolls me onto my back.
I jerk at his hold, trying to free an arm to punch him, but all fight leaves me when I lock eyes on the person on top of me.
Even in the murky darkness, I recognize him.
He’s no stranger to me. He’s everything to me.
“Tyler?” I choke out, chest panting from exertion. “W-What are you d-doing here?”
Stupid.
Those lame words are the first ones out of my mouth to him?
“Coming after you, dumbass,” he growls. “What were you thinking?” The anger briefly abates and his voice wobbles. “How could you do that to me?”
I’m glad it’s raining now so he can’t see me openly crying. Shame and regret are thick in the air around me.
“I messed up,” I whisper, lip trembling. “I’m sorry. I know I messed up.”
The tension in his body bleeds out of him, but he doesn’t get off me. “It hurt, Kellen. So much. I’ve been going out of my mind with worry.”
I can’t help but reach up to touch his handsome face. His eyes close and he leans into it. I’ve hurt him, but I haven’t lost him. He’s here with me and responding to my touch.
“We’re stronger together,” Tyler says, eyes reopening so he can glower at me. “I thought you were smart enough to know that. We’ve been an unstoppable team since we met.”
“I know.” Guilt attacks me from every angle. “I just felt…responsible for everything bad that happened.”
“Had you talked to me about it,” he rumbles, “I’d have reminded you again and again that it wasn’t your fault. You’re a good man and leader, Kellen, but you can’t control everything that happens. Not everything is a direct result of your failures. Even if it were, me and the others care about you and would never blame you. But leaving us? That was cruel, man. Really cruel.”
“I’m sorry,” I croak out, hand sliding behind his head so I can pull him closer to me. “I’m so sorry.”
It doesn’t take much coaxing to bring his lips to mine. At first, the kiss is hesitant on his part. Then, as though he’s forgiven me with his lips alone, he devours my mouth with uncontrolled hunger. I greedily kiss this beautiful man back.
We make out, the rain unrelenting, until we’re both breathless and shivering. Tyler finally climbs off me and helps me up.