Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Hastings backed her up to the railing and bracketed her in with his arms. “You’re coming with me.”
She didn’t have it in her to argue. Hell, everything was more alive with him beside her. Without a word, she nodded and took his hand.
He didn’t speak as they made their way to his truck, not even as he lifted her up inside his monstrous vehicle and drove them through the city to his place.
The moment they were inside, he spun her and put her back to the wall and put their heads together.
“No more running, Curls. You and me, together. No excuses. No reasons it’s not going to work. I love you. I’m in love with you. Right now, I want to crawl into bed and hold you while I get some sleep then when we wake up, we will talk and address all the issues you have with me being military.”
She opened her mouth, and he sank to his knees, wrapping his arms around her midsection. Violet pushed her fingers into his thick hair, raking her nails against his scalp.
“When did you get back?”
“Today.”
She glanced around his place, spotless. “And spent how long here?”
“First time I’ve been back. I found out where you were once I landed and I headed here.” He tipped his head back. “Headed to you.”
“I’m scared, Hastings.”
He pushed up and cupped her jaw in his hands. “Of me?”
That was easy. “No, not you. Scared of what you make me feel.”
“Those feelings you get from me, I get the same from you, baby. I face some of the meanest fuckers in the world and I do it without hesitation. But you, you, Curls, make me revert to a chest-beating Neanderthal who wants nothing more than to keep you naked in bed and pregnant. I want to bite the head off any man who looks at you.” He slid his thigh between hers. “The thought of you pushing me away scares the fuck out of me. The fear of disappointing you or making it so you look at me in any other way than you are now is freezing, but I will risk anything and everything for you.”
Her heart overflowed with love for this man. “We need to talk because I’m…well, I’m a wreck, Hastings. I have so many issues. What if you decide you don’t want to get on this ride? It’s going to break my heart if you leave after I let you in.”
“I’m already in”—he settled his palm over her heart—“and I’m not leaving. Issues or not, Curls. You’re the one for me. That’s it. End of story. Good, bad or otherwise. It’s you and me to the end.”
“I could love a man like you, Hastings Rhodes.”
His eyes sparkled as he leaned closer. “You do love me, and not a man like me, me.” He nipped her lower lip. “Tell me.”
She heard the vulnerability in his voice and she didn’t hesitate despite the fear shooting through her.
“I love you, Hastings Rhodes. May God have mercy on your soul.”
“He does, because he brought you to me.” Hastings picked her up and held her close.
Violet rested her hand against his face. “Take me to bed, Hastings.”
“Words I want to hear every day for the rest of our lives.”