Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 13627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 55(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 55(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
“Cole, stop,” she shouts, grabbing my arm. Immediately, I stop and stand up. The little punk stares at me frightened, crawling backward until he reaches his friends.
“If you come near her again, I won’t stop until you’re dead. Understood?” He nods, and they take off practically running.
My chest heaves violently as I try to calm down and get myself together, but I think about what would have happened if I didn’t show up. I turn around to look her over, and there’s tears in her eyes. I pull her gently into my arms, and she presses her head against my chest. “I’m sorry, Aviana. I don’t know what came over me. The thought of them touching you or worse…”
She looks up at me, inching herself back so she can see my eyes and says, “No. Don’t be sorry. I was so damn scared. I shouldn’t have left the bar like that. Maurice or one of the other guys usually walks me out.”
“It’s my fault for sending you running.”
“Well, it’s my fault for believing that you wanted me…” I stop her right there, pressing my finger to her lips.
“I want you,” I confess. It’s easy for me to say. Hell, I have to hold back from saying more. She doesn’t need to be scared by my insane emotions boiling up inside of me.
Her face upturns to me, staring at me with hopeful eyes. “So he’s just being an ass because I kicked him out of the bar?”
Fuck. I can’t lie to her. “Um…no. I expected to talk you out of dating my brother, but when I walked in—I had a different reason for the same purpose. Let me get you home.”
“I can drive myself.”
I rub her arms, feeling the residual fear. “Sweetie, you’re shaking. I’ll drive you home.”
“I’m fine. They probably would have left me alone.” The trembling in her voice belies her words.
“You say that, but I don’t believe you feel that way.” We pull apart, but I hold her hand as I walk her to the passenger side of the car and then help her inside. As soon as she’s buckled up, I close the door and run around to the other side and get in. Turning the key, it sputters a few seconds and then it finally turns over and kicks in. “Damn, Aviana. You need a new car.”
“I know. Sorry. It’s not fancy, but it’s all I can afford.” I read her embarrassment loud and clear.
“Don’t be sorry. I get that. I’m not judging; I’m concerned. So where do you live?” She reads off the address, and I pop it into my maps. It takes about twenty minutes to get there according to the directions. Although we’re about a block away when the car gives out, stopping dead in the middle of the road.
“Shit.” I get it started again, and we make it there. She’s not driving this piece of shit again. It’s a fucking death trap.
I make it to her parking spot around the back of the building, and I walk her to her door. Everything is too damn dark for her to be coming home at night. It’s fine because I’m going to do all I can to make her fall in love with me.
She takes the keys from me and unlocks the door. “Oh my. How are you going to get back?”
“I’ll call a cab from my hotel. They’ll send one.” My eyes roam over the apartment. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely a poor, young person’s place. The furniture is the stuff you build for like twenty bucks or something, and the sofa has seen better days.
“This late? I don’t have a lot of room, but you can spend the night.” I had no intentions of going anyway, even if I had to sleep in her car.
“That works as well. As much as I want to fuck you, I know you’ve had bastards trying to get in your panties all night. I promise it’ll be just sleeping—no sex.”
“Um. Okay.” Damn, she sounds disappointed.
“Do you want me to go?”
“No. Not at all. I’m afraid to be alone.” We walk over to her bedroom that’s not too small, but the bed is a twin. It’s barely big enough to fit my large frame. It’s going to be fucking hell to lie next to her and not drive my cock into her little pussy.
“I’m going to take a shower. Please don’t leave.”
I take her hand and give it a kiss. “I’m not going anywhere. Hurry.” She goes into the shower, and I check in with my brother
Me: Hey. Tell me you’re okay.
Bishop: You better get your dick wet. Fucking lucky bastard.
I should feel bad, but I don’t. He sent me a drunk text, hoping I was getting lucky. He has no idea how much I hope to be balls deep in Aviana, planting my baby inside of her so no one can steal her from me.