Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
She crosses her arms, her posture stiff, her voice cutting. “I didn’t ask you to come here. I blocked your number for a reason.”
He waves her off like it’s nothing, taking a step closer. “Oh, come on. You know you can’t stay in this… backwater town. Look at you.” His eyes rake over her, lingering in a way that makes my blood boil. “You’re meant for more. For the city. For me.”
I see Bella’s jaw tighten, the fire in her eyes burning brighter as she steps forward, not backing down. “What I’m meant for,” she says, her voice cold as ice, “is none of your business anymore.”
He laughs, the sound grating, and takes another step toward her. “You don’t really believe that. I know you, Bella. You can’t survive out here. This little mountain fling? It’s not you.”
That’s it. I take a step forward, but Bella’s hand shoots out, stopping me in my tracks. She doesn’t even look back at me as she faces him down. “No, Archer. I’ve got this.”
She turns back to him, her voice hard. “I survived you, didn’t I?”
His smile falters for the first time, a crack in that arrogant facade. But instead of backing off, he reaches out, grabbing her arm, pulling her closer. “Don’t play hard to get. We both know how this ends.”
Before I can move, Bella’s already in action. In one swift motion, she pulls a small canister from her pocket, aims it at his face, and sprays.
He stumbles back, hands flying to his eyes, cursing. “You crazy bitch!”
Bella doesn’t flinch. Instead, she steps forward, aiming pepper spray in his eyes and then delivering a sharp kick to his knee, sending him crashing to the ground. “Don’t touch me again.”
For a second, I just stand there, watching it all unfold in disbelief. Pride surges through me—she didn’t need me to save her. She handled him, better than I could have.
Her old boss is still writhing on the ground, blinded and swearing, but Bella doesn’t give him another glance. She walks back toward me, her chin high, her eyes fierce.
“I told you,” she says as she steps up to me, her voice steady. “I’m done with him.”
I stare at her, my heart pounding. She really is done. With him. With that life. And she chose me. I step closer, my hand sliding around her waist, pulling her into me, feeling the heat of her body against mine.
“I saw,” I murmur, my voice rough with pride and something deeper. “And I’m damn proud of you.”
She lets out a breath, her body relaxing into mine. “I had to make sure you knew.”
“I do now,” I say, my lips brushing against her ear, my grip on her waist tightening. “And so does he.”
She smiles, a real smile this time, and I feel the tension between us finally starting to ease. She chose me.
But just as I’m about to say something else, she looks up at me, her smile turning playful, teasing. “You were about to jump in, weren’t you?”
I grin, my thumb tracing lazy circles on her hip. “Maybe. But you handled yourself pretty damn well.”
“Damn right I did,” she says, her voice lighter now. “But if you want to handle me, I won’t stop you.”
The heat between us flares again, the electricity from the confrontation crackling in the air. I lean in, my lips finding hers in a slow, deliberate kiss, savoring the taste of her, the feel of her.
“I’ll handle you all right,” I murmur against her lips, my voice low and full of promise. “And I won’t ever let you forget who you belong with.”
Bella’s breath hitches, and she pulls me closer, her body pressing against mine. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
For the first time since that jet landed, I believe her.
Chapter Eleven
Bella
The gravel crunches under the tires as I pull up to Archer’s cabin, the headlights casting long shadows against the big, wraparound porch. My heart is still racing from everything that went down with David, but this time it’s for a different reason. The adrenaline might still be there, but it’s nothing compared to what’s pounding inside me now—this need to finally tell him the truth.
I cut the engine, gripping the steering wheel for just a second longer, trying to steady myself. Everything is clear now. I’m not just running from something anymore. I’m choosing something, choosing someone. And it’s him.
The cold mountain air bites at my skin as I step out of the car, pulling my coat tighter. The familiar cabin looms ahead, nestled in the quiet of Copper Mountain, solid like Archer himself. The man who’s been right here, waiting for me to figure my shit out.
I knock once, but I don’t wait for him to open the door. I push it open, stepping inside, the warmth of the place wrapping around me like a safety net. Archer’s there, leaning against the kitchen counter, beer in hand, watching me with that lazy, knowing grin. It’s like he’s been expecting me all along.