Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 46501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
“Why not? You served, we both did. She’s a bright girl, strong. I think it would be good for her, give her some direction. She’s not like other girls, the navy might be the perfect thing for her.” Like hell.
“With things the way they are I don’t…” The world was more unsettled now than it had been since the end of the Second World War. Not many know that, why would they? But some of us who’ve been tasked with the security of the nation can see the writing on the wall.
“If it comes to that then we’ll need all the hands we can get. And we both know that if she’s made up her mind to do it there will be no stopping her. Besides, what else is she going to do? Stay around here and marry one of those yodels down at the Community College? Nah, my girl was made for greater things. I know her Mr. Ethan, whatever she sets her mind to she’ll do.”
I can see there will be no help from this quarter, so I’ll do the only thing I had left to me. I’ll just bully her until she gives in as I usually do. Only she doesn’t take too well to threats and every time I’ve tried in the past she’d gone and done the opposite of what I’d ordered her to any damn way.
I walked away without saying goodbye. I need another showdown with her like I need a hole in my head, but I have to at least try to talk her out of it. I knew she wouldn’t be in her house. It was one of her days off from class and she likes to spend her time down by the four acre lake that ran along the back of the property.
I took my time getting there, trying to put together the right words, but at my first sight of her it all went right out of my head. She looked so sad sitting there, her head on her bent knees as she trailed her fingers through the water.
I stood in the shadow of the trees for the longest time just watching her, taking her in. My sad little girl. She’s gonna break my heart. Before this is all said and done, I know she’s going to tear it out of my chest and crush it under her feet.
Heaven forbid I should be the one to do it to her. I’d cut off my arm first before I do that to her. Would you asshole? What do you think you’re doing now? Why do you think she’s sitting over there looking so sad?
Usually on a bright sunny day like today she’d be out on one of the old fishing boats I leave tied up by the dock down here. Or trying to catch the peacocks or the swans which I’m forever telling her are going to take one of her eyes out before long.
I must’ve rustled the leaves of the low hanging tree or stepped on the brush beneath my feet. Something made her turn and look in my direction. “Don’t you dare move Lucia.” She was getting ready to bolt, something she’d never done before and I have to say I didn’t like the way it made me feel one bit.
I walked over and stood over her wanting so badly to reach out and take. “Look at me Lucia.” She ignored me, even turned her head away. For some reason her defiance pissed me off. What the hell did she want from me? “What the hell do you want from me?” I pulled her up by her arm.
She tried to wrestle her arm away from me but I held firm. “Stop it you little hellcat, before you hurt yourself.” This was the second day in a row that I’d allowed myself to touch her. Always in the past I’d been sure to keep my distance. Now I wondered how I’d ever forget the feel of her under my hand.
I looked down at her realizing just how tiny and delicate she was compared to me. Her head barely reached my chin and though her arms were strong and slightly muscled, she was still so frail next to my behemoth height. I must have a good seventy pounds on her at least. And therein laid one of my biggest problems of all.
If I took her, I could hurt her. I’ve always been aware of my own strength, especially in bed, and anything to do with the weaker sex. For fuck sake I’d slept with Helen once and never went back because she’d been in too much pain after. Well that and this one coming into my life. Helen is taller and she’s a good fifteen pounds heavier than she is.
Not that I was in such a big hurry to go there again. I hadn’t enjoyed that shit even a little bit. And again I’m being an asshole. Helen’s not a bad woman, and none of this is her fault. She just happens to have the misfortune to be in love with someone who could never return her feelings.