Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“You’re much more stubborn than I gave you credit for, girl,” he admitted.
“I . . . I . . .” She was a mess. An absolute mess. She had no idea how she was standing.
Then she felt him draw her ass cheeks apart. Her breathing grew deeper.
“Fuck, girl. I cannot wait until I get in this ass.” He pressed a finger against her back hole and she let out a small moan.
“But right now isn’t the time. You need food.” He stood. “Wait there.”
Wait? Where was he going? Wasn’t he going to finish her off? She was dying here.
Was it possible to die from not coming?
It wasn’t long until he was back. “Good girl for doing as you were told.”
She whimpered. “Does that mean you’ll let me come?”
‘I’m sorry, baby. No. You’re being punished for not giving me what I want. Keep those legs spread.”
“But you can’t always expect to get your way.”
“Can’t I?” He pressed a cool cloth over her pussy.
Oh, God. It felt terrible and amazing all at the same time.
“No!”
“Hmm, we have different views on that.”
“Gray.” She turned her head to look back at him. “I can’t.”
His face softened. “It’s all right, baby. I know. You’re too sweet and caring to give me the names. Because you know what I’ll do. But it’s my job to protect you. And I take that seriously.”
“But it’s in the past.”
“I don’t care. They still have to pay for hurting you. But you don’t have to tell me. What happens to them won’t be on your hands. And don’t you think they deserve a bit of pain for what they did?”
She kind of did.
But she wasn’t sure she wanted to admit that.
After cleaning her, he drew up her panties and straightened up her skirt. Then he held her close. She felt completely wrung out. Her clit had no idea why it had been abandoned.
“Poor baby. It’s all right. You’re okay. You just need some breakfast. Come on. Let’s go see your friends.”
She let him take her hand and lead her away. He turned back for a moment to study the photo.
“It was one of the best days of my life.”
“They didn’t try to get you away from that school?”
“We were all kids, what could they do? Besides, they didn’t know how bad it was . . . not until I ended up hurt.”
He grunted. This grunt was filled with pain as though someone had sucker-punched him.
“It’s in the past.”
“But that’s just it, baby girl. The past is always with us. And it always catches up with you, whether you want it to or not.”
She didn’t know how to reply to that, so she let him steer her downstairs. When they walked into the kitchen, everyone was sitting at the dining table, even Abe.
She removed her hand from Gray’s and rushed toward Abe, hugging him lightly. It was only a few seconds before Gray drew her away. But it was enough.
“Abe, I’m so sorry you got hurt.”
“Girl, what have I told you about apologizing for things that aren’t your fault,” Gray muttered, drawing her under his arm.
Abe looked pale and tired, but she was so glad he was down here eating.
“You must be Gray,” Abe said, looking him up and down. He eyed Gray’s arm holding her possessively before turning to look at her. His whole face softened. “Wasn’t your fault, Maevie-baby, just so glad you’re all right. Are you okay?”
“I am.” Well, physically she was. And she’d get there emotionally. Eventually. But she knew that Gray wouldn’t allow her to be anything other than all right.
“The bruise on your face looks better.”
“Yeah, it feels fine now.”
Gray led her to a chair, pulling it out so she could sit.
Immy sighed and they all stared over at her. But she was giving Gray dreamy eyes.
“What?” she said as she noticed everyone staring at her. “He’s such a gentleman.”
Jenner shook his head at her, looking irritated.
“There’s food on the sideboard. If you want anything else let me know,” Immy said cheerfully.
“You’re not his personal chef, Immy,” Jenner said grouchily.
“I know,” Immy responded, giving him a querying look. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”
“Sit there, I’ll get your breakfast,” Gray told her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Immy leaned in as he walked to the sideboard. “He’s a keeper. I love the way he takes care of you.”
“He’s probably just getting me breakfast so he can fill my plate with healthy stuff.”
Sure enough, when it came back, her plate had fluffy scrambled eggs, a piece of wheat toast, and there was a small bowl of fruit salad. At least he’d added a couple of slices of bacon.
Gray sat next to her. “Eat, girl.”
She picked up her fork, but she didn’t have much of an appetite.
“Are you guys really leaving today?” Immy asked.