Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
He’s mad, obviously, but this is why I wanted us to meet somewhere private. Maybe I shouldn’t have stopped him and let him walk out so I could mentally prepare better. God, I’m such a fool for coming here. I blow out a breath of frustration, reminding myself I came all this way for a reason and wasn’t leaving until I laid out all my cards on the table.
“Okay, I fucked up!” I shout, taking him by surprise. My hormones have been uncontrollable these past few weeks, but instead of apologizing for my outburst, I continue. “I know I should’ve called to say goodbye the right way, but I was scared. Our time together meant more to me than I wanted to admit at the time, and I was scared I’d get hurt again if I let you in. But then I started to fall for you anyway. The only way to get over you was to try and forget it all happened, but I never could. I’m sorry, but—”
He steps toward me, closing the gap between us, and cups my face with his large hands as he tilts his head to the side and presses his lips over mine. His mouth cuts through my unspoken words, but I welcome it because the moment I feel his body close, electricity radiates from me.
Gripping his shirt in my hands, I pull his chest to mine and inhale his fresh, manly scent. I can tell he just took a shower, yet there’s something so rugged about him. God, he kisses so passionately and with purpose. He holds my face like I’m the most precious thing in the world, and when a moan escapes his lips, I know we’ve lost ourselves in each other. I can’t deny that this is the reaction I’d been hoping for, even if we did have a lot to discuss still.
“Alex…” I sigh against his mouth. Our lips part and he rests his forehead on mine, my heart pounding.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to the B&B, and then we can talk.”
I nod as he grabs my hand. “Oh wait. Should I grab my luggage?”
“Yeah, I can bring you back into town tomorrow to get your rental.”
“Is that safe? What if someone tries breaking into it or steals it?” My question puts a wide small on his face before he bursts into a fit of laughter. “What’s so funny?”
“Darlin’, you’re in small town Texas. No one wants to break into your Prius.”
“Oh,” I mutter, feeling stupid. “You can take the girl out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl, I guess.” I shrug, lowering my face to hide the blush that’s rising over my cheeks.
He chuckles, holding out a hand as I dig for my keys. Once he pops the trunk and grabs my suitcase, he slams it shut and leads me to his truck. My eyes widen when I see he drives a nice black Ford F-150.
“I’m slightly relieved to see you don’t drive one of those decked out and lifted trucks with orange and yellow flames on the side,” I tease when he opens the door for me.
He gives me a puzzled look.
“What? You Texans are obsessed with your trucks.” I slide into the seat and reach for the buckle.
“Damn right we’re obsessed,” he jokes, adjusting his hat. “This one is even the Texas Edition.” He smiles, proudly.
“Texas Edition?” My brows lift. “I’m definitely not in Wisconsin anymore.”
Grinning, he shuts the door and walks around to the driver’s side. The tension is still thick in the air, yet I’m so relieved even though we have a lot to talk about.
“So, how’d you end up finding me anyway?” he asks once we’re on the road.
“Bishop, ranch, Texas. Not hard to Google.” I shrug. “The property is huge, and I had no idea if you lived on the ranch or not, so I took a chance staying at the B&B, hoping I’d be able to find you.”
He licks his lips as he focuses on the road ahead of us. “Well, guess you didn’t need to look hard. Small town perks.”
“Yeah. Guess so.” I slouch into my seat, my nerves feeling shot already.
He glances over at me before speaking up again. “I looked you up on Facebook but didn’t have the courage to friend request you. Figured I’d look needy or some shit since the ball was in your court and you didn’t take it.” He shrugs, the guilt crawling up my skin. “Saw your profile picture, though. You looked real pretty and happy.”
I blush, both sad and pleased he thought to look me up. “Thank you. Natalie and Adam threw a huge New Year’s Eve party.”
“I figured it was. Natalie looked pretty smashed.” He laughs.
I laugh with him and nod in agreement. “Yeah, after she threw up on my shoes, Adam proposed. Then she drank some more to celebrate.” I don’t tell him I hadn’t been drinking that night at all and had been thinking of him nonstop.