Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
He begins to move in long, easy thrusts and then picks up the pace, as if he just can’t hold himself back any longer.
“The way I lose myself in you every time,” he growls into my ear. “Don’t you see that I’m falling in love with you? It fucking scares me, but it’s true.”
I have to wrap my arms around him now, and he lifts me, bracing me against the wall, and continues to pound me, as if he’s punishing us both for ever having the audacity to think that this was ever just about sex.
“Rem,” is all I can say as I hold on tight and succumb once more to the absolute bliss of an orgasm gifted to me by this man.
He follows me over, then leans his forehead on mine and works to catch his breath, watching me steadily.
“You’ll stay,” he says at last. “Because you leaving isn’t a motherfucking option.”
“No.” I swallow hard, also fighting to catch my breath. “Leaving isn’t an option for either of us.”
“Why is Bruiser with us?” Holly asks from the back seat as I take them to school the next morning.
“He’s just helping me out with something,” I reply and offer Bruiser a smile.
“Does Dad know?” Johnny asks. “Because Bruiser’s real important in the barn and stuff.”
I can’t help but laugh at that and look at Johnny in the rearview mirror. “Of course, your dad knows. He’s the one who suggested it.”
“I don’t do much that your daddy doesn’t know about,” Bruiser assures Johnny. I pull through the drop-off line and say goodbye to the kids, then pull out again.
“I think it’s silly that you had to take time out of your day just for this ride,” I say to the man sitting next to me. “It’s literally a drop-off.”
“I do what I’m told,” Bruiser replies.
“Is Bruiser your real name?”
“Nope.”
“What is your real name?”
“Theodore.”
I feel my eyes go wide, and I turn to him in surprise. “Bruiser suits you better.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
My phone rings, and I answer it with the tap of a finger on the display. “Hi, Millie.”
“Erin?” My blood runs cold at the sound of her voice.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“I’m sick,” she replies. “Stupid cold or something. I’m supposed to have the late shift at the coffee shop today, but I can’t go like this. I’m disgusting, and I’ll just get everyone sick. Can you cover for me?”
“I—” I glance at Bruiser, who nods. “Sure. I’ll head that way now.”
“You’re the best ever,” she says. “I’m sorry to do that to you. Is someone with you?”
“Bruiser’s here. He’ll stay with me today.”
“You’re the best, Bruiser. I owe you one. Now I’m gonna go die.”
She hangs up, and I let out a gusty sigh. “I’m sorry. I know this takes a whole day away from you.”
“I’ve been told to stick close to you. I’ll just let the boss know where we’ll be.”
He places the call to Remington while I get us turned around and headed back to town and to the coffee shop. I’m not wearing my usual Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co. T-shirt, but I’m in jeans. Since I’m filling in, I’m sure it’ll be okay.
“Thank God you’re here,” Marion says with a relieved sigh as I walk in. “Thank you so much for covering for Millie. That poor girl sounds awful.”
“It’s not a big deal at all. I just don’t have the right shirt.”
“I think you look great,” she replies with a wide smile. She glances over at Bruiser, who takes a seat in the corner of the café. “Is he bothering you?”
“No, definitely not. He’ll be hanging out today as my own personal bodyguard. Marion, I don’t know if Millie told you, but—”
“She filled me in on what I need to know, and Chase came in, as well, with a photo and pertinent information,” Marion assures me. “I’m glad you have someone to protect you. I’m having all the locks changed here, and I’m installing some cameras.”
I feel tears spring to my eyes. “Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“I should have done it years ago,” she says, shaking her head. “This was a reminder for me. You know that I just love you to pieces, and I’m going to do everything I can to keep you safe and comfortable here at work.”
“How did I get so lucky to have such an awesome community of people around me?”
“You moved to Bitterroot Valley,” she says with a wink. “We take care of our own here. Now, it was busy first thing, as it normally is, but it’s calmed down a bit. If you can handle things out here, I’ll go back and make some calls about those cameras and locks. I have to run payroll, as well.”
“I can definitely handle it.”
“Great. Holler if you need help. I’m just back in the office.”