Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 103537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Fuck, I didn’t want to leave her. She was strong and tough as hell, but parts of her had cracked and I was afraid of her building up that shield of ice again.
She ran her finger over the crease between my eyes. “I have pepper spray, a bodyguard and a gun.”
“With no bullets.” She knew how to look after herself. Jesus, I was becoming Ream, worrying about leaving her. I kissed her one last time then hopped into the shower.
When I came out, Haven was gone. I went downstairs and Kite was sipping his coffee, leaning against the counter.
“You want me to come?”
“No.” He hadn’t met Tammy and I felt better knowing he was around if I wasn’t back by the time Haven finished her exam. I snagged his coffee and took a sip. Kite didn’t say anything; I’d been doing it for years. “After her exams, I want to take her away. Somewhere hot.”
Kite’s pierced brow rose. “You aren’t sneaking off to get married, are you?”
“No. Jesus, Kite. It’s been a week.”
“No, it’s been months. You guys may not have been fucking, but you were together long before you whipped out your cock.”
He was right. I was Haven’s a long time ago. “Then maybe she’ll marry me sooner rather than later. I was thinking . . .” Kite huffed, but I ignored him. “Vegas. None of this bullshit Logan is going through.”
Kite burst out laughing. “Yeah, you try and do that, Kat and Emily will be all over you and not in a good way. Not to mention how pissed Ream would be for doing a Vegas wedding with his sister like some drunken mistake. And your mom . . .” Yeah, fuck, my mom, “ . . . she’d be worse than all of them put together.”
“Haven wouldn’t want a big wedding. She’s not like that and I’m good with whatever she wants.” I was even a little surprised at myself because a big event like me getting married would be a huge media draw and, normally, I’d be all over that, but I had no intention of sharing a special day with strangers. Shit, I was thinking about getting married. No, not thinking. I was damn sure I was. I just needed to get Haven on the same page.
Kite grinned and raised his mug. “Morning, Haven.”
I swung around and saw her standing by the library door, Luke behind her. And from her frown, she’d heard at least part of our conversation. I stalked toward her and it was a stalk because I wouldn’t allow her to escape even if she wanted to.
I looped my arm around her waist and kissed her neck. “I thought you left.”
“Luke wanted to go over a couple things.”
“So, you heard?”
“Most.”
“Good.” I was pushing my luck here because Haven had yet to wrap her arms around me. I pulled back so I could look at her. “Can’t wait to call you my wife while tasting your pussy.” A flicker of a smile and her hand rested on my hip. I lowered my voice and came in closer so my lips just grazed her ear. “And, baby, tonight, we are having a ceremony for my cock and your pussy.”
“Do I get to dress him in a tux? Maybe with chocolate and vanilla ice cream”
Jesus, it was fuckin’ nice she played along with me. “Sure. As long as I can put yours in pink cotton candy.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me.
The buzzer went off on the intercom and the doorman announced that Roman had arrived. I kissed her one more time then went to meet Vic and end this shit.
I WALKED OUT of my Sociology 101 exam, Luke beside me. We passed two girls in the hall who looked at me with a sort of sneer, then giggled to themselves. I stiffened, frowning as I walked by. I looked over my shoulder at them and they laughed again.
Luke’s hand settled on the small of my back. “You know them?”
“No.”
He stiffened, moving in closer to me while he put his phone to his ear.
“Haven,” Dillon called as he came out of the classroom, Kevin with him. “Hey.” He nodded to Luke who didn’t nod back. It was nothing unusual for me to be with a bodyguard as Roman had been with me last week, but as far as everyone knew, it was just because of me being Ream’s sister. “Easy exam.” I nodded. “So, I guess everyone knows now. Maybe they can come to the party Friday night. That would be wicked.”
I glanced at him. “Knows?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, that Ream has a twin sister. And the other crap, hey no judgement here.”
My breath locked in my throat and I stopped walking. “Judgement?”
“Yeah, that you stripped.” Bile rose in my throat and I swallowed several times.
Dillon took out his phone and typed something, then scrolled. He held it out to me, but Luke intercepted and took the phone while he already had his cell to his ear, although he wasn’t saying anything.
“Let me see, Luke.”
“No,” Luke said abruptly while he scanned it quickly. “We need to leave.”
“I have another exam.”
“And you can take a make-up.” He passed the phone back to Dillon who was looking from me to Luke. I snatched his phone before he put it away and peered at the words.
And there it was in big bold letters. ‘TWIN SISTER OF TEAR ASUNDER’S, REAM DEDRICK, STRIPPED IN A CLUB RECENTLY SHUT DOWN FOR UNDERAGE PROSTITUTION.’
Oh, God.
It was as if a cold wave crashed into me and I was being dragged across the bottom, the sand scratching my skin as I struggled to breathe. But I wasn’t struggling. I froze and let the ocean of emotions take me and do what they wanted.
“Haven.” A hand latched onto my arm, but I barely noticed as I stared at the screen. “We need to leave. Now.” I wanted to throw up. How? Who knew that?
Oh, God, Ream was going to be dragged through the mud along with me. And Vincent . . . I knew he’d accepted my past, but to have it publicised was another matter. This was what I’d dreaded, what I’d tried to protect them from.