Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“Wouldn’t it be easier to just find someone you know? Someone you like?”
“What makes you think I don’t know or like you?
I had to think about that one. He knew more about me than any other person on the planet. He might not know me, but just the fact that he hadn’t run away screaming from me told me a lot. Told me a lot about Cain and Pops, too.
“I don’t lie, Chase, and I’m not starting now. I’ve latched on to you. Probably from the first moment I saw you. Larger than life. Laughing with your buddies in the bar. You represent every single thing I want in this life.”
“You think so? What would that be, honey?”
“A home. Safety. A family. A man who… cares.” I trailed off on the last because that’s not what I wanted. Caring was nice, but I wanted the fairy tale.
“Give me time, Cotton. I’ll make a believer out of you. I’ll make you never regret giving me a chance. I’ll also make you fall in love with me so deeply you’ll never want to leave.”
My breath caught. I could feel my heart speeding up. “Don’t say that, Chase. If I fall in love with you and you leave me…”
He moved to lean over me, urging me to my back while he settled himself on top of me. “I know you don’t understand yet. You will, baby. I told you that makin’ you my ol’ lady was same as being married in my world. Understand me when I tell you takin’ a woman as an ol’ lady isn’t done lightly. It’s forever. We work shit out if we have problems. No divorce. I won’t lie to you. I won’t betray you. You’ll be kept in the dark about club business for your own protection, but I will tell you anything you want to know. Because we’re partners.”
“You’re confusing me, Chase. Let me up.” I pushed at him, but he just leaned down and kissed me gently.
“I’m moving way too fast for you. I know that. I’m movin’ kinda fast for my own damned self, but it’s done, baby. I’ve got your vest ordered. Texted Cheetah last night to start workin’ on it.”
“If you feel like you’re moving too fast, why do it? You said no divorce. Shouldn’t you wait until we’re sure about each other?”
Chase was quiet for a long while, like he was mulling it all over. When he spoke, it was with conviction. “I never thought I’d put down roots. My own family was shit, so I never really cared if I had one. Until Bones let me in. Sure, I could have all the pussy I wanted, but there was a difference in the men who had ol’ ladies. They play hard. Enjoy their sensuality any way they want. But there is a respect for each other and… devotion? To each other. The moment I recognized that in my brothers, I knew I wanted that level of mutual respect and devotion with a woman of my own.”
“You said you don’t cheat.” I wanted this very clear. “I only want to make sure because you could easily break my heart, Chase. I was fifteen when I went away. I’m twenty-five now, but I might as well still be a child in the outside world. Relationships. Intimacy. I haven’t been touched except to be hurt since before my sister died. Something as complicated as this? You and me? Here?” I shook my head. “I’m gone for you, Chase. I think you know that, too.”
He stroked an errant curl off my forehead. I loved the feel of his weight on top of me and arched into him when he moved, whimpering when he put even a small amount of space between us.
“I thought you didn’t know much about relationships.”
“I don’t. But I had to learn to read people well or I’d never have survived. You’re… catnip. To me.” I knew I wasn’t making sense. But I had no idea how to explain my feelings.
He grinned. “I think I got you. At the bar, was I the first man in your adult life to protect you?”
I nodded. “But I was infatuated with you even before then. Because of how you treated everyone. You’re a protector.” When he raised an eyebrow, I rolled my eyes. “OK. That and you’re sexy as hell.”
Chase chuckled, lowering his head to kiss me once again. “Did you not hear the part where I was an assassin? Honey, I ain’t a nice guy.”
“Are you trying to talk me into this or out of it?”
“That’s a nice look on you, you know.” His grin was devastating as he smiled down at me.
“What is?”
With the pad of one fingertip, Chase traced my lips. “Your smile.”
And yeah. My smile widened. My heart swelled. And I. Was. Done.