Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
When I step out of the bedroom, Axel isn’t awake, so I look for the garage. After getting turned around three times, I found it. Damn it, why did I have to be so discombobulated? He has a rack of keys, so swipe the ones for the most basic SUV that I can handle. Luckily, I make it out of the driveway and down the road before he notices I’m gone. I’m not afraid that he’s going to be mad. I’m afraid he’ll stop me because he’s worried about my safety.
The sun shines down on what remains of our town. My heart aches as I view the devastation left from yesterday’s storm. We weren’t prepared for the hurricane that changed direction last night before we got out of its path. Thankfully, we didn’t get the full force, but it was enough to destroy so much of Sweet Temptation Bay. I owe my life to my savior, the love of my life, and the man who thinks of me as a child. That’s not the way I hoped he’d feel.
I pick up all the shattered jars, trying to avoid cutting myself with the broken pieces that nearly match my heart. The shop was decimated by the storm, broken glass everywhere, water and muck around. Most wouldn’t call it that, but someone who has lost everything would say otherwise. Tears fall down my face again as I clean up massive amounts of honey.
Three years ago, I invested everything I had into this business, thinking I could make it a success, and I had. If it hadn’t been for a series of unfortunate events, Honeybee’s Sweets would be in the black again.
We were taking off so well for the first year. Suddenly, my supplies went missing, which caused me to miss order deadlines, ruining my reputation. My bills were piling up, and I’d finally started building back when disaster struck again.
A knock at what remains of my front door frame causes me to lift my head. “Get off the floor, Honeybee.”
“Mr. Knight,” I gasp. Speaking of disaster.
“Sweet Honeybee, I said get off the damn floor before you cut yourself.” This time his voice is stern, making me forget all the sadness and pain I felt walking into the remnants of my old shop.
He steps on the broken pieces without waiting for me to get to my feet completely and picks me up. “What are you trying to do?”
“I’m trying to clean up. What the hell do you think I’m trying to do, damn it?”
“Calm down. Why don’t you just walk out and call the insurance company? There’s nothing in here to save, sweetheart, and it’s not safe.” I break down, crying in my hands, and then I feel his powerful arms wrapped around me, bringing me to his chest. “I’m sorry, sweet girl. I didn’t mean to upset you.” I choke on my sobs, unable to voice my stupidity and tell him I’ve failed to do what any smart business owner would do — what he would do.
“Mr. Knight.” My voice is but a faint whisper because I can’t speak the truth to him, feeling foolish and afraid of his reaction.
“Honey, baby girl. Please don’t cry. It’s going to be okay. We can fix this.” He reaches down and cups my chin, sending shivers of pleasure throughout my entire body, but I know he’s only being a real gentleman. He’s over ten years older than me, wealthy, worldly, and just so much more than I could ever imagine.
“I can’t…” I brush him off and step back, nearly losing my footing and onto the glass. He’s quick, and he has me back in his arms. My feet are off the floor and he’s carrying straight out the door.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Out here before you hurt yourself trying to get away from me.”
“Mr. Knight.”
“It’s Axel, Honey. I told you to call me Axel, damn it.”
“Axel. I’m fine, and I need to get this place cleaned to see what I can salvage.”
“Baby girl, there ain’t a damn thing in there salvageable.”
“Don’t say that.” Sobs rip through me again.
“Fuck me.”
“Look, if you don’t like my misery, go on and deal with your business, Axel,” I hissed.
“You are my business, Honey.”
“Why?” I ask, wondering if he’s planning to buy out my property. I hear it all the time that he’s eager to buy out failing businesses.
“Because this town is my business.” He rubs the back of his neck.
Chapter Five
Axel
Fuck, seeing my sweet Honey all broken and lost, hurt, destroys the hell out of me. When she cut out this morning, I was shocked. If I hadn’t finally let sleep take me this morning I would have snatched her up against all damn opposition and demanded she stay with me for her safety. There’s no reason she needs to be here right now. Nothing here is worth saving or can be saved. Yes, it’s all homegrown honey and honey related products and merchandise, but it can be replaced over time.