Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Chapter 29
Emmalyn
Diego towels off quickly when he finishes his shower and pulls on a pair of boxers. My hands are still trembling as I pet Ollie. I shook them out several times while he was in the shower, but it didn’t work. I feel the beginning of a full body panic attack coming on, and it’s taking everything I can manage not to curl up into a ball and sob.
Diego walks to me with his hands lowered at his sides. I can see they’re clean now, and the sight is slightly calming. When he reached out to me earlier, and they were covered in blood, it was almost like I was back in Denver and Bobby was standing over me with my own blood coating his skin. He gently kisses my forehead but makes no attempt to touch me.
I slip off of the counter, still holding Ollie, and follow him out of the bathroom.
“Let me have him,” he says and reaches for the puppy.
I hand him over and watch as he tries to put him in his bed. Ollie begins to whimper immediately, and Diego looks over his shoulder at me, confused.
I give him a small smile. “He’s not been sleeping there,” I tell him and look at the bed.
He chuckles. “The dog has been sleeping in my bed?”
I hang my head a bit. “I didn’t think you’d have a problem with it.”
He takes a step toward me, and I take a step back. He frowns and places the puppy on the bed. I watch as Ollie heads straight to the top near the pillows and noses his way under the blankets.
“I don’t mind the dog sleeping in the bed,” he says touching my cheek with a tender hand. “I’m jealous he’s been next to you every night while I’ve been away.”
I lean into his touch. I’ve missed him every second he’s been gone, and my heart is already breaking knowing that he may get a call and be gone again at any time.
“Think you can share the bed with both of us?” he asks playfully. His rage scared me earlier, and this Diego is the man I’m glad to be in the room with. The one from an hour ago terrified me to no end; even though I was grateful he got here in time to keep Wrench from hurting me.
Without giving him an answer I climb under the blankets, scooting Ollie out of the way, and I hold the blankets up so Diego can slide in beside me. I pull my ripped shirt off over my head and lean forward so he can unclasp my bra. I let it slide down my arms and toss both items to the floor. I leave my leggings on because sex is not what this is about.
I lie on his chest as he wraps his arms around me letting the warmth of his skin calm my frazzled nerves.
“I missed you so fucking much,” he whispers in my hair. “If I ever see that piece of shit again, I’ll kill him,” he vows. “I’ll protect you with my life, Em.”
***
My eyes open slowly to the sight of a strong, muscled chest and I smile against his skin. I’d dreamed last night that Diego wasn’t home yet, and I’d resolved myself in my sleep that I’d wake up with nothing but a fuzzy puppy to keep me comfortable.
I kiss his chest and feel his arm around my back pull me tighter against him. I look up into amazing brown eyes, and I’m met with a contented smile.
“How long have you been awake?” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal just to lay here awake with me sleeping on his chest. “You should’ve woken me up.”
“I tried,” he says running a finger down my chin and over my exposed shoulder. “But we do need to get up and get ready.”
I look up at him confused.
“We’re heading to Denver. Kaleb and Josie are getting married this evening.”
I want to shrink back under the covers. After the events of yesterday, the last thing I want to do is have to worry about going to a city where I know Bobby is.
“Hey,” he says leaning forward and kissing my lips. “He’s like a brother to me; I have to be there. I want you with me.” He sweeps his fingers over my scrunched up brow. “I won’t leave without you.”
I can’t imagine staying here. Wrench is around somewhere, and I know he hates Diego and me, and I wouldn’t put it past him to try something when Diego is gone.
“Only if you kiss me first,” I concede.
“Now that, my beautiful woman, I can do.”
I grin at his possessive words and let him kiss me senseless.
***
The drive to Denver was uneventful, and we only stopped once to gas up and grab something to eat. Diego somehow made arrangements for a dress and shoes to be waiting at the bride’s sister’s house. He informed me we will stay here tonight after the wedding and reception.