Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Which means you’re giving me a truck?”
“It’s more what the truck represents, but yes, I’m giving you a truck.”
She takes a slow, deep breath, and blows it out with a laugh. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Seriously, I mean it. I probably would’ve been content staying here forever, living in that studio, eating whatever Marina cooks, but now you’re reminding me that there’s a world outside this place.”
My guts twist. I don’t want her to leave. The truck’s there because without it, we can’t have an actual relationship—and I want that with her—but the idea of her using it, of her driving back to the Strip or deep into town, scares the hell out of me.
I don’t know what Gallo or Frost might do to her.
But at this point, I can keep her safe. I’ll post guards, make sure she’s watched and protected at all times if it comes down to that. And if she leaves, decides she doesn’t want this with me, then I’ll still make sure nobody touches her. That’s the least I can do.
“If I’m honest, that’s what I want too. I want you to stay here forever, paint as much as you like, sleep with you at night, see you in the mornings. I want you around all the time, but that’s not how relationships really work, right? You can’t be a prisoner, and now it’s time to get rid of the bars and the gates, and let you go free.”
She tilts her chin up to me and leans forward, pressing herself against my chest. I bend down and kiss her gently. God, this girl tastes like heaven, and I’ll never get enough of those lips.
“That means a lot.” She blinks a few times like she’s trying not to cry. “Can I admit something?”
“Go ahead.”
“It never really occurred to me that we’d get here. I sort of figured we’d just, you know, keep on going.”
“I want to be with you, Hellie. I want you to be mine.”
“But what does that mean?”
“My partner. My everything. I’d say girlfriend, but the word feels so inadequate.”
“I understand.” She’s talking quietly and looking at me through those long lashes of hers. “You’re sure about this?”
“I’m very sure.”
“You’re not going to yell and stomp around if I drive into town?”
“I might yell, but I never stomp.”
“Sure you don’t.” Her palms press against my chest. “I want to be your partner too.”
A thrill of excitement runs through me. Why is this so hard? Why can’t I just tell her what I think, how I feel? I kiss her, hold it longer this time, and lean in to whisper in her ear.
“I love you, Hellie. I am very much in love with you, and now that you’re free, it only makes me love you more.”
She kisses me harder. Her tongue in my mouth, her taste on my lips, fuck, yes, she’s everything I’ve always wanted, and so much I never knew could feel this right.
“I love you too,” she says once the kiss breaks apart.
Those words light up every nerve in my body. It’s like I’m burning for her, glowing with need. It’s crazy, this feeling, this overwhelming want, but I can’t stop myself. I run my hand through her hair, grip it, fist hard, and kiss her tight until she whimpers into my mouth.
“All mine,” I say with a growl.
She grins, nodding slowly. “All yours.”
“We’ll make this public. I’ll make sure Gallo, Frost, and all the other casino owners understand that you are officially off-limits.”
“What a gentleman.”
“You’ll have to meet my family.” I scowl a bit at the idea. “My brothers especially.”
“I’d like that.”
“I’m not sure that’s true. I have three, and they’re all assholes. Especially Conlan.”
“I want to know everything there is to know about you. I want to be a part of your life, even if that means meeting your asshole brothers.”
I laugh and hug her against me. So warm and soft, so perfect. “Alright, devil girl. We can really do this.”
“There’s only one thing.” She pulls back, searching my face. “My dad.”
“Your dad.”
“What can you do for him?”
I shake my head slowly. “I don’t know yet, but will you trust me if I say I’m working on it? You may not like the way things play out.”
“I trust you,” she says and kisses me gently. “Just please, help him if you can.”
“For you, I’ll do absolutely anything.”
I hold her like that for a while longer. She stays in my arms, content, breathing deep and slow, but eventually I release her. She kisses me then goes to spend more time with her father, since the days are short, and he doesn’t have many left. I don’t know how I’ll keep him a secret from Frost and Gallo, but I meant what I said—
I’ll do anything for that girl.
No matter how distasteful. I can stomach sparing her father if it’ll make her happy—and it helps knowing that he won’t live long anyway.