Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
“Let’s circle back to that another time.” I force a yawn. “It’s getting late, and I know we all have to be up early.”
They both look dismayed by that statement, knowing I’m typically a night owl.
“What do you have to be up early for?” Solana asks.
“She has a long day of riding tomorrow,” Judge supplies, his tone dripping with overt insinuation.
“Riding.” Georgie scoffs.
“Yes.” Judge looks at me, his gaze scorching. “She loves to ride.”
Oh, God, this is getting out of hand.
I stand abruptly, tossing my napkin onto the table. “Yes, well… shall I walk you to the door?”
Reluctantly, Solana and Georgie rise from their seats.
“What about your number?” Georgie asks. “Can’t forget that.”
“No, we certainly can’t.” Judge grouses as he removes a slip of paper from his pocket and makes a point to hand it directly to Solana.
After that awkward standoff, they both begrudgingly thank him for dinner, and I walk them to the door as promised.
“Are you sure you’re okay here?” Solana asks. “You can come with us.”
“We can protect you too,” Georgie assures me. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”
“I’m okay.” I offer them both a grateful smile, warmed by their genuine concern for me. “But thank you for the offer. Don’t forget to text me.”
“Girl, I’m texting you before I even leave the driveway,” Solana jokes. “And I wasn’t kidding. If I don’t hear from you, I’m coming back.”
I nod. Even though I probably should tell her not to, I can’t bring myself to do it.
“I love you guys,” I whisper.
“We love you too.” They squeeze me in another long hug, and after more quiet tears, I reluctantly usher them out the door, staring at them until Judge’s presence behind me makes me shiver.
“You did well.” He strokes my hair over my shoulder, his tone approving.
I pull away from him and turn around, crossing my arms as I glare at him.
“We’re together, Judge? Really? Why would you tell them that?”
His silent response only irritates me further, and I think that’s all I can expect from him, but then he surprises me.
“I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
“Oh, my God, you are such a fucking hypocrite.” I laugh caustically. “As if you didn’t tell me you’re out every night with another woman. Do I need to remind you I don’t belong to you? That isn’t my purpose for being here. You don’t fucking own me.”
“Yes, I do,” he growls.
Unbelievable. Seriously, un-fucking-believable. I turn to leave, and he grabs me by the wrist, dragging me back to him until my chest collides with his, and he tightens his hold on me, locking me in his arms.
“For now.” He breathes the words as if he regrets them. “You belong to me.”
“For now,” I choke on my reply. “I belong to nobody. Least of all you.”
He lowers his face to mine, trying to ensnare me in a kiss, and I jerk away, only for him to grab my jaw. He holds me in place, his lips hovering over mine, the heat between us an inferno I can’t understand.
“I’ve been inside you.” His words heat my lips as he palms my ass with his other hand. “Only me.”
“Well, I hope you enjoyed it.” I smile up at him callously. “Because it was the first and the last time.”
“I enjoyed it very much.” The words sound like a confession, and it confuses me. “I think you did too.”
He presses his thigh between my legs, nudging them apart, and I try to shake my head in protest. “No.”
“Yes.” His fingers skate down to the hem of my dress, and then against my bare thigh. “Even now, you enjoy it.”
I hate that he’s right. I hate that my heart is beating erratically and my stomach is fluttering, and I’m secretly wishing for more all while hating myself for it. But I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.
“I don’t want sloppy seconds.” I press my hands against his chest and shove hard, surprising him as he stumbles back slightly.
It gives me the time I need to put much-needed distance between us as I dart toward the stairs, running back to the safety of my room. But Judge isn’t far behind. I can hear the clip of his shoes on the floor before his voice caresses my back.
“Mercedes.”
I ignore him as I fling myself through the doorframe, nearly tripping on my heels in the process as I attempt to slam the door in his face. He catches it with his palm, stopping the weight easily before he shoves it back open.
“I fucking hate you,” I snarl at him.
“So you’ve said.” A soft smile curves his lips. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling more like yourself.”
He stalks toward me, and I move back, the predator and the prey.
“You can’t have me,” I tell him. “Stop trying.”