Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“You have to eat, Aspen.”
She was so damn tense, and I hated it.
“Okay,” she finally replied softly and reached for her plate.
I shook my head. “I’ll fix it. Just sit.”
I knew every fucker at this table was watching me. They were all thinking I was an asshole. Well, except Ramona, who had no clue what was going on. I made sure Aspen had some of everything, then put it back in front of her.
She didn’t say anything or look at me. I saw Kye’s arm move, as if he was patting her leg.
My eyes swung to his. “Don’t.”
His jaw clenched. “Fuck off.”
I pointed to the door. “NOW!” I growled, shoving my chair back and stalking out without making sure he was following me.
He would. I knew him too well.
I kept going until I was far enough away from the conference room. My fists were ready to break his fucking nose. Turning, I glared at him as he made his way toward me.
He held up his hands. “What? You gonna hit me? Well, go for it. But understand this: I’m going to hit you back. Because you fucking deserve it. I’ve not done shit!”
“What? I didn’t know she was going to be here. It’s not like I fucked in front of her. Jesus! Everyone is overreacting.”
Kye pointed at the door leading to the garage. “She saw you, and I was the one who found her. I want to bash your face into a brick wall so damn bad right now. You didn’t see the look on her face while you were shouting about coming down the bitch’s throat. I. DID.”
It felt like he’d taken his shot and knocked the air out of me. “Fuck,” I muttered, walking over to sit down on the nearest chair. I dropped my head into my hands.
“Yeah, fuck,” he snarled. “She was devastated. It broke my heart. I swear to God, in that moment, I don’t think I’ve ever hated anyone more than I did you.”
Join the club.
“Figure this shit out, man. Stop yanking her around. She’s too damn sweet for your bullshit. She’s safe. We’ve all agreed she is under no threat. They apparently got what they were looking for at Kitty’s. No one has seen them in Ocala in weeks.”
My head shot up. “No. She needs me. I can’t just let her go.”
Kye narrowed his gaze. “Does she need you, or do you need her?”
“Listen, I think I’m going to go,” Ramona said, stepping around Kye.
“Probably a good idea,” Kye replied.
I looked at her, not sure what to say. It was a hookup. We’d done them before. “Uh, yeah, okay.”
She nodded, watching me for a minute. “I didn’t come here for anything more than what I got. You’re hot, and you’ve got a big dick. But I don’t want to get in the middle of all this shit … whatever it is. So, unless you’re unattached, don’t call me up again.”
I was unattached, but I didn’t say anything. I just nodded.
She lifted her hand and waved, then headed for the door.
“I’m going back in there unless you want to take a swing at me,” Kye said.
“Don’t touch her,” I warned him.
“She needs comfort. That’s all I’m doing.”
I stood and pointed at my chest. “That’s my job.”
He shook his head. “Not tonight. You’re the last person she wants it from.”
I watched him walk back to the conference room. If I went back in there, could I keep from beating his ass? But if I didn’t, she’d think I’d left with Ramona. I had no choice. I made my way back to the damn table.
Twenty-Five
Aspen
Everyone was treating me like I was about to shatter. I wished I could reassure them that I was fine. It was just hard to do that when you weren’t anywhere close to being fine. Needing a moment in the restroom to gather myself after that meal, I took several breaths. It was over. I’d survived. The girl leaving had helped. Slightly.
I wasn’t sure who was riding home with who. If Huck had a vehicle here, I figured Trinity would ride with him.
I stepped out of the restroom, and Levi was standing there, waiting on me. Not who I wanted to see.
“You ready?” he asked me.
I glanced around. “Where’s Kye?”
“Waiting on us in the vehicle.”
Us? No, no, no. He could ride with someone else.
“Come on, sweetheart,” he said gently, holding out his hand for me.
I stared down at it, and I couldn’t do it. Touching him would be too difficult. I walked past him, heading for the SUV, but his hands grabbed my waist and held me. It felt good. I hated myself at that moment. I didn’t want to feel anything. Not anymore.
“Talk to me, baby,” he whispered. “Please.”
Talk to him? Baby? About how I had gotten to listen to him get a blow job? Then, he had rubbed it in my face by bringing her to the meal? About how I wasn’t supposed to care and did?