Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“How did you know?”
“I can feel you tensing up and worrying, but let’s savor this. We’re safe. We’re together. That’s all that matters.”
Later that night, I’m sitting with Vivian and Lily in my living room. I’ve spent the day with Lex, getting my story straight and establishing an alibi. When the cops turned up to investigate the gunshot, Lex arranged for one of his men to admit to “accidentally discharging his weapon.” It cost more money for the man to take that hit, but he won’t get prison time since “nobody was hurt.”
“He saved me, Mom,” Lily says, squeezing Vivian’s hand. “Without him …”
“You never would’ve been in danger to begin with,” Vivian says.
“That’s not true. I went to The Row before I met Landon again. He saved my life. You have to accept that he’s not Dad, okay? He’s not that person.”
“I swear, Vivian,” I tell her. “I would never trick your daughter. I would never hurt her. I’d die before I let anything happen to her.”
That’s literally true, in my case, but I don’t add that morbid thought.
“I’ve been holding onto the past,” Vivian whispers after a pause, her anger visibly draining away. “I’ve been trying to hate you, but I can’t.” She looks at me with glistening eyes. She’s been torn up ever since learning what happened. “I can’t, Landon, but I need to know you are who you seem to be.”
“I can’t promise I’m perfect,” I tell her, “but when it comes to your daughter, my intentions are honest.”
Vivian slowly breaks into a smile, glancing at her daughter. She can read the hope on Lily’s face as easily as I can, most likely the way she’s waiting to erupt in relief. I know it’s been a hard day for Lily, too. She spent much of it with the security team, trying to calm Maddie down. Now, she is at home with a security detail, just in case. I can’t believe I didn’t think of her friend before.
“Thank you,” Vivian says, “for taking care of my daughter before … and now.”
Lily throws her arms around her mom. They hug for a long time. I lean back on the couch, letting myself smile even if it feels surreal. I’ve killed two men in my life now. Sure, they were two men who deserved it, but it’s still more than I ever planned.
“Do you mind if I have a lie-down?” Vivian asks.
“Of course not,” I tell her.
Once she’s gone, I move to the couch with Lily. She makes the most tempting moaning noise when I wrap my arm around her and pull her close. I lean down and kiss the top of her head, taking the time to inhale her scent, her realness, her aliveness.
“I love you,” I tell her.
She gasps and looks up at me. “Don’t just say that because—”
“I’m saying it because it’s true,” I tell her. “As soon as I heard your voice when that bastard had you, I knew it was true. I knew I started loving you the instant I saw you outside The Row. You’re the best person I’ve ever met.”
“I love you too.” She puts her hand on my leg, squeezing, digging her nails like she wants to tether herself to this moment.
I smirk. “Don’t just say that because—”
She leans up and kisses me passionately. I’ve been resisting the urge to grab her and own her all day. With the security team around, it was easier. When she went to be with her friend, it was convenient. With her mom sitting right there, it was hell.
Now, just us, I can’t hold back anymore. I growl and press myself against her, lying on the couch. She falls back, wraps her arms around me, then bites my lip.
“Sorry,” she murmurs.
I smirk. “You don’t have to apologize to me … ever. Is something wrong?”
“Do you think we should go into the bedroom?” Her eyes sparkle with something like danger. “You know …”
She laughs when I stand up and bring her into my arms simultaneously. The laugh is one of pure relief and delight. It’s a laugh that flips the bird to death, to the bullshit the mob tried to pull, to the crazy adventure we’ve been on together.
She feels perfect in my arms, her curvy body sculpted for me. I nudge my bedroom door open with my elbow and carry her to the bed. When I place her down, she sits up right away, grabbing the front of my shirt and pulling me into a kiss. I sense the nerves in the movement, her desperation to be as close to me as possible. Maybe it’s the virgin thing making her move so fast.
I can’t overthink it, though. The second I feel her body against mine, I know she wants this, needs this, as badly as I do. I slide my hand down her body and between her legs, pushing my hand against her sex through her jeans.