Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
He has yet to say a word, and I have a feeling this is where our story ends. Not that I blame him. This relationship, no matter how fake, has disaster written all over it.
CHAPTER
SIX
Merrick
I guide Courtney into my house with her hand locked in mine. We were both quiet on the drive. I’m sure for very different reasons. Courtney is worried she caused problems for me, and me? Well, I’m pissed that she didn’t stand up for herself. Leading her to the kitchen, I stop when we get to the island. Turning, I drop her hand and move to grip her hips and lift her up to sit in front of me.
Her legs automatically part, allowing me space to move in close to her. Bracing my hands on the counter on either side of her, I fight the urge to pull her into my arms.
Fuck, this is not how this was supposed to go.
I wasn’t supposed to feel this insane attraction to her. Bowing my head, I focus on my breathing. I’ve never felt this overwhelming sense of protection for someone outside my family.
I’m not mad at her. I’m mad at the circumstances. We said we were in this, and she needs to accept that. Unless she’s changed her mind. I don’t think that’s the case. I think my shy girl is just used to accepting what comes her way and rolls with the punches. That’s the origin of my anger. I don’t want her to feel like she has to accept the treatment Tammy gave her.
“I’m sorry.” Her words are whispered. There’s a crack in her voice, telling me she’s not unaffected by the interaction at the diner, or maybe it’s my reaction. Either way, she’s feeling it.
Lifting my head, I stare into her big brown eyes that do nothing to hide the worry she’s feeling. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“She wouldn’t have made a scene if I weren’t with you. If you hadn’t agreed to help me.” She looks down at her lap, avoiding my gaze.
She can’t see it. She can’t see how incredible she is.
I have three months to show her.
Standing tall, I move my hands to cradle her cheeks, lifting her eyes back to mine. “You did nothing wrong.” I hold her gaze, willing her to believe me. “The only thing you could have done differently is stand up to her.” I will her to see the sincerity in my gaze. I need her to know she deserves to be treated better, and she needs to own that.
“I didn’t want to embarrass you further.” Her eyes mist with tears, and I fucking hate that. I hate to see any woman cry, but the misting in Courtney’s big brown eyes has me wanting to drive back to the diner and demand Tammy be fired. It wasn’t even that big a deal. I know that. However, it affected me profoundly that Courtney was so blatantly dismissed to her face.
“Baby, you’re not an embarrassment.” Those brown eyes of hers widen, then soften at my term of endearment as she blinks, clearing the emotion from her eyes. “If you think for a single second that I’m ashamed to call you mine, you’re wrong. We said we were in this together, Courtney. I’m all in, and you need to be too. That means if someone like Tammy hits on me, and you’re around, you make it known that I’m yours. That’s what we decided. For the next three months, I’m yours, and you’re mine. We might be pretending, but that declaration still means the same thing.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop. Just stop.” Dropping my hands, I lean in until my forehead is touching hers. My heart hammers against my rib cage as I try to harness this raging fire inside me at the way Tammy disrespected her. “Don’t apologize.” Closing my eyes, I will myself to let go of the anger. It’s not until I feel her hands in my hair, and the spark of electricity that shoots through my veins at her touch, that I lift my gaze to find her watching me.
“I’m all in, Merrick. I’ll do better.”
“Court, it’s not that you need to do better. Baby, you need to understand that you can’t let anyone walk all over you. You’re beautiful and sexy, and smart, and any man would be damn lucky to be able to call you his. I’m that man. For the next three months, you’re mine, and I want you to own that. Claim me. Don’t let the Tammys of the world make you think less of yourself. They don’t hold a candle to you.”
“That’s scary, Merrick.” The look in her eyes tells me that confession was difficult for her.
“Talk to me. Why is it so scary to stand up for yourself?”
She’s quiet for several heartbeats, and when she finally replies, her answer floors me.