Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
“I’m good,” I argued. “Besides, I wanna be there when Stitch talks to him.”
“It’ll be you who does the talking.”
“Seriously?’
“Stitch will be there with you, but he says you’re ready. So, rest up.” He gave me a pat on the shoulder. “He’ll be ready for you first thing tomorrow.”
With that, he turned and headed down the hall to his office. I had mixed feelings about facing this lunatic on my own. Stitch might’ve thought I was ready, but I wasn’t so sure. Thankfully, I had some time to prepare.
When I got to my room, I didn’t bother turning on the lights. I was tired and eager to get some shuteye. I removed my cut and boots, then headed into the bathroom. I turned on the shower before removing the rest of my clothes. I took a hot shower, then dried off and put on a fresh pair of boxers.
I was about to call it a night when I spotted someone in my bed.
I turned on the bedside lamp and was surprised to find Mia curled up on my pillow. I had no idea how she had ended up there or why. No one slept in my bed. No one except me. Ever. I considered waking her and forcing her to leave, but for reasons I couldn’t explain, I couldn’t make myself do it.
I just wanted to stand there and soak her in, let her peacefulness quiet the storm that was raging inside me.
And that’s exactly what I did.
I crawled in next to her, then eased the covers over her. As I lay there, I studied the delicate curves of her beautiful face. She was absolutely stunning. I reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, savoring the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips. I marveled at how she slept like she didn’t have a care in the world.
I envied her for that.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d really slept.
My nights were usually filled with bad dreams, but with her lying there next to me, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years. I closed my eyes feeling hopeful that I might actually get the rest I so desperately needed.
CHAPTER 10
Mia
I hadn’t meant to fall asleep in Wrath’s bed. I was only there to make sure he made it home, so imagine my surprise when I woke to find Wrath lying next to me. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. He’d made his feelings pretty clear, so I was pretty surprised that he hadn’t woken me and forced me to leave. I was even more surprised that he’d gotten in the bed with me.
It was almost daylight.
It was only a matter of time before he woke up, and I had a feeling I should leave before that happened. But there was something about lying there next to him when he felt so good, so warm and safe, and smelt so good, like fresh soap and cologne, that made it difficult to go.
And the fact that he was so very handsome.
I’d always found him attractive—even when he was a tall, lanky kid with a chip on his shoulder. He rarely smiled, but when he did, the world seemed to stop spinning. I felt that same feeling as I looked at him sleeping so soundly.
His tousled hair, slightly ruffled from sleep, called out to me, begging to be touched, but I dared not move. I didn’t want to break the spell, so I remained still and quietly watched the rise and fall of his breath. He looked so peaceful; his fierce features had been replaced with a look of innocence.
It was as if he’d finally gotten a reprieve from all the things that haunted him.
I wanted to stay there and relish the moment, but I knew my being there was putting us both in a compromising position. I had to get out of there before someone caught us together, so I eased out of his bed, grabbed my things, and slipped out the door. I snuck down the hall to my room, then slipped inside.
I put on my shoes, and after a quick check in the mirror, I headed out to the parking lot. Just as I was about to get in my car, I heard my brother call out to me, “Mia! Hold up!”
Dread washed over me as I watched Wyatt make his way over to me. I could tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t rushing over to wish me good morning, so I told him, “No time to chat! I’ve gotta get to work.”
“Mia!” he snapped, stopping me from closing my car door.
“What?”
“You wanna tell me why I just saw you sneak out of Wrath’s room?”
“I did no such thing.”
“Don’t lie to me, Mia.” He looked positively livid as he growled, “I saw you on the fucking camera.”