Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Leaving Alfie in the kitchen, she walked up to her mother’s room. There was nothing to resemble Kurt in the room anymore. Her mother had completely rid the space of anything that reminded her of him.
Putting the flowers on the side of the bed, Chloe ran her hand down the covers.
“Nice,” Alfie said, making her jump.
“What are you doing up here?”
“You didn’t say I couldn’t see the upstairs of your house.”
“I thought that was a given.”
“You need to learn to communicate more.”
She sighed.
“Show me your room,” he said.
“Are you kidding me?”
“What? I promised your mom no funny business would happen tonight, and I mean it. I always keep my promises. Now, show me your room. I won’t fuck you tonight.”
Chloe’s hands clenched to fists at her side. “You won’t be having sex with me ever.”
“Don’t get all stuck up about this. I didn’t mean it like that. I’ve yet to learn how to use tact.”
“Or manners.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry. Forgive me.” One of his hands sank into her hair as the other moved down to her ass, squeezing the flesh.
“Enough, mister,” she said. “I forgive you, but stop talking about sex.”
“You know it’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“Says the guy who has done it a thousand times probably.”
“Nine hundred and ninety-nine. Saving the one thousandth for you.”
“How sweet,” she said.
“I’m teasing. Yes, I’ve had sex before, which is why I know you shouldn’t be afraid of it.”
“I’m not afraid of it. I’m just not ready, and I don’t want you to push this.” She didn’t see Alfie being her first.
Sex was something she did want to experience, but right now, no. Not with her doubts still about Alfie. Sure, he’d not given her a reason to doubt him, and there were times she’d find herself feeling sick to her stomach because she wanted to believe him so much.
“I’m not going to push this.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’m happy for you to take your time, to get ready.”
She stared at his chest and wondered if there would ever come a time when she did feel ready with Alfie.
“I would understand if you wanted to date someone else?”
“Why would I want to date anyone else?”
“I’m not giving you what you want,” she said. “We’re not committed together, you know. You don’t have to go without.”
Alfie chuckled. “Wow, you’re giving me the go-ahead to sleep with other girls even though I’ve said it’s me and you. We’re together.”
“We both know that’s not true.”
He slammed his lips down, holding her into place as he ravished her mouth. She gasped as he slid his tongue across her lips, and she opened up for him to deepen the kiss. It was so … unexpected and magical.
They had kissed a couple of times but never like this.
By the time he released her, her lips tingled.
“I’m not going to be seeing any other girl. I’m not a sex-starved man, Chloe. You’re going to learn to trust me.”
****
Eagle held the door open for Lily and took her arm, escorting her into the bar and grill.
“I wanted to take you to some fancy restaurant, but I’m kind of banned from all of them.”
Lily giggled. “It’s no problem. I’m not the kind of girl who needs fancy. This is nice though. I like it.”
He’d reserved a table, and he helped her into her seat before taking the one opposite her.
She was so nervous, and he wanted to calm her down, or at least to make sure she knew there was no pressure tonight.
“Well, this is really amazing,” she said. “You know it has been over twenty years since I went on a date with Kurt. Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
He reached across the table. “I know all about you and Kurt. You two were inseparable.”
“True. You know he always wanted to be part of the club. Always. When he told me what he did, how he ran away rather than stay and fight, part of me was glad.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I mean, I was young, alone, with a baby. I was also taking care of Alfie at the time. Kurt was the only one earning as well. I didn’t want to be alone. I don’t know if he ran away out of fear or if he was doing it for me. I always thought he’d come to me because he loved me and didn’t want me to be alone.”
“I can see that.”
“I don’t know if that’s the truth.”
Eagle didn’t believe for a second Kurt would have run away to just be with Lily. She deserved someone better.
Over the years, because of his love for Lily, he’d given Kurt so many chances. Chances even the club didn’t know about, to see if he was truly a coward or just had better instincts.
Each time he failed.