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)
“That’s a huge disappointment.”
“I’m sure you’ll recover,” he replied dryly.
She pretended to think about that. “I don’t know. The choo-choo train is a pretty big deal. I mean . . . that might scar me for life, and it would make it a lot easier for me to eat your demon food.”
“Demon food?”
“Yep, that stuff could only be created by someone with a fiendish mind. They’ve taken something delicious like chips and then they’ve twisted it into something healthy. Chips were perfect the way they were . . . when they were made by potatoes. And potatoes are healthy. They’re a vegetable.”
“Girl.”
“Yep?
“Choo-choo.”
She grinned, then she giggled before groaning as her chest protested.
“You all right?”
“Yeah, just a bit sore.”
“Where?” he asked, sounding alarmed.
“All over. My back and chest mainly.”
“I’ll give you a massage when we get out of here. And a hot tub will help with your aches and pains.”
Hot tub.
Water.
“I don’t . . . I don’t . . .” What was wrong with her? Why was she shaking like this? She couldn’t even remember drowning and here she was, trembling like a leaf and feeling like she was going to puke.
“Maeve! Girl. Calm down. Look at me.” His hands cupped her face, tilting her head back. “Look at me. You are fine. Nothing is going to happen to you. Understand?”
“I’m . . . I’m sorry . . . I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“The idea of the hot tub scared you?”
She nodded.
“You cannot let it beat you, baby. You cannot let fear rule you.”
“I just . . . not yet . . .”
He just eyed her. “All right. Not yet. I’m pushing too hard too fast. I’ve always been impatient. But I don’t want fear ruling you.”
“I don’t either . . . but it’s too soon.”
“Eat for me, baby.” He moved the fork close to her mouth. “Choo-choo.”
She opened her mouth and took the food. “You got to say it with enthusiasm. And pretend you’re pulling the cord to work the horn.” She moved her hand up and down to show him.
He eyed her hand. “Hmm, that reminds me of something else.”
“Huh?”
“Like you tugging on my cock,” he told her.
Ohhh.
“I can do that.”
His lips twitched. Nearly a smile. “Not right now, baby. Eat your food.”
She sighed and ate another forkful. Okay, she was never going to admit it, but these kale chips were rather nice.
“We really have to work on your ability to make small talk,” she decided. “You’re very good at riling people up but not that good at making friends. I still owe you a debt. Actually, I owe you two now.”
She took another forkful of food.
“You owe me nothing and why would I want friends?”
“Everyone needs friends or they’ll get lonely.”
“Why would I be lonely when I have you?” he asked.
The next forkful landed on her cheek when she turned her head at the last moment.
“Oh, sorry. I . . .”
He grabbed a napkin, wiping her face clean.
“You’re so sweet. Like sweet tea with ten teaspoons of sugar.”
“Girl, I’m not sweet,” he grumbled.
“You won’t take it back, will you?” she whispered.
“What? Take what back?”
“What you said. I mean, are you really sure . . . about wanting me? About me being more than just a sex buddy? Because if you say it, then take it back, I don’t think I can survive.”
He put the food and fork down and the look on his face was one of intense anger and pain. When he cupped her face between his hands, she had no choice but to look him in the eyes.
“You would survive,” he said in a low voice. “You would survive anything because that’s what I demand of you. But you won’t ever have to survive that. Because I am never letting you go. I meant every word. I tracked you down, Maeve. Followed you across the country. Broke into a private, gated community and then . . . then I found you fucking dead in a swimming pool. You weren’t breathing.”
He heaved in a breath, and she watched him, wide-eyed.
“I stayed up all night watching over you. I counted every breath you took. Because when I jumped into that pool, you weren’t. Fucking. Breathing.”
“Okay. But it all turned out all right. I’m breathing now.”
“What if I’d been a few minutes later? What if I had decided to wait until later? What if I went after that asshole like I wanted to instead of going over to the pool? My God, Maeve, don’t you get it? It was a quick decision. Chase that asshole or look in the pool? I could have chosen the wrong fucking one.”
The torment on his face was clear and she stared at him in wonder.
“But you didn’t. You made the right decision.” She stared at him, feeling like she was seeing the real Gray for the first time. He was tortured. And it wasn’t that he didn’t feel like most people probably thought. It was just that he held his feelings deep, wrapped them up tight, then only let them out when it really mattered.