Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“Thank you.” I try my best to return the smile. “Can I use the bathroom?” I ask, needing a moment to myself. This is the first time since I laid eyes on Ben that I’ve wanted to be alone.
“Of course, you can—'' Before Ben can finish, I’m rushing toward the bathroom in the hallway to make my escape.
As soon as the door closes behind me, I burst into tears. I try to stop them, but I can’t. This is so embarrassing.
“Bunny,” Ben calls from the other side of the door. He tries to open the door, but I locked it. “Are you crying, sweetheart?”
“I’m fine.” I sniffle.
“Open the door.”
“I just need a minute,” I call back. What the hell am I going to do?
My breathing starts to accelerate. I brace my hand on the wall. No, I cannot have a panic attack right now. This is wrong on so many freaking levels. I can’t freak out because he has a fiancée or girlfriend, but even as I tell myself that, it only grows worse.
Ben has been my lifeline. But the truth is he’s been more than that. I know it. I’m not sure if the past me believed in soulmates or love at first sight, but when my eyes locked with his, something told me that he was mine. That whatever it was I went through was part of my journey to get to him.
Not for a second did I think he was the reason I was in the trunk. There was no fear. I knew he would save me. I felt it down to my soul.
“You don’t need me?” There is no missing the confusion in his voice.
“I, I, I—” No other words can come out. The panic attack is taking over. I step back as my knees grow weak. I go to sit down on the toilet, but I don’t make it. The bathroom door swings open suddenly. Ben's arm snags me around my waist to pull me into him.
My feet leave the ground, and he cradles me in his arms. I press my face into his neck. “I’ve got you.” He carries me out of the bathroom into the living room, where he sits on the couch with me in his arms. “I think we should have a no locking the doors inside the house rule for a while.” He runs his hand up and down my back, trying to soothe me.
“Can I get either of you anything?” Ollie asks.
“Nah, give us a second.”
“Yeah, I’ll bring the rest of the stuff in, and I’m going to whip up some food. I’m sure you both are over what they were feeding you at the hospital.” She’s so dang sweet. If she only knew I was freaking out because she’s with Ben, I’m sure she wouldn’t be feeling the same.
Hell, she’s a way better woman than me. If Ben was mine, I would not be okay with some woman sitting in his lap while he rubbed her back.
“Thanks, sis. I appreciate it.”
“Sis?” I breathe out the word, not meaning to say it out loud, but it’s so low I don’t think anyone hears it.
“No thanks needed. I’ve got you guys,” she chirps before she leaves us alone.
“Bunny. I need your eyes if you can give them to me.” Slowly I lift my head from out of his neck.
“I think I’m okay.” I press my hand to my chest, feeling my heart start to slow.
“You going to tell me what triggered you?” I shake my head no, my cheeks starting to warm.
“All right, how about I guess?” I shake my head no again. Ben is actually really good at reading me for the short time he’s known me. A silent laugh leaves him, his body shaking. I glare at him. “I’m sorry, babe, it’s not funny you almost had an attack, but you’re being adorable.”
“Adorable?!” I scrunch my nose.
“Yeah, not really hard for you to do.”
“Whatever.” I huff.
“See.” He smirks. “Adorable.” I roll my eyes, fighting a smile of my own. “She’s my sister.” His face grows serious now. “You don’t have to worry about me being with some other girl or one showing up here that is mine.”
“Okay,” I lick my lips. “I felt bad. I’ve been clinging to you and never really thought that maybe you had a girlfriend out there or something.”
“No one out there can call me theirs. Promise you that.”
“All right, I know you’re a good man, and you’re trying to do what’s right with me. So—”
“No, Bunny. You can stop there.” He cuts me off. “If I did have a girl, which I don’t, I sure as hell wouldn’t be acting with you the way I have been. I would have taken you to the hospital, but I would have stepped back from there.” I stare up at him, trying to digest that.