Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
She felt lightheaded, whether from the speed, his closeness, or the fear that had over taken her in the field, she wasn't sure. She was a bit wobbly as she climbed off the bike.
Donnie hastened to get off in front of her and give her his arm but she just shook her head, handing him his jacket and hurrying into the house. She fumbled with her keys until she had the door open and then collapsed against it. Hot tears spilled out over her face.
She was okay. She was safe.
The confused look on Donnie's face was burned into her brain. Oh god, he must think she was insane! She’d run off on him like a freak. Maybe this was one time the word ‘crazy’ would be justified.
Why did she have to ruin everything?
Her hands were shaking as she turned and slowly chained the door and threw the locks. It took her a second to notice it.
For the first time in the past year, the first time since she had gone out on her own, the first time since she'd escaped, she hadn't locked the door behind her. Her guard must be down. Normally she did it the second she was inside the door.
But she hadn't this time because she knew in her gut Donnie wasn't going to hurt her.
She knew it.
He hadn't taken her out into the country side to have his way with her and leave her bloody and bruised by the side of the road. He didn't want to beat her up, or insult her, or control her. He just seemed to like her for some obscure reason she couldn't figure out.
Why would he like her anyway?
Damnit. She was a fool. Maybe they both were.
Oh well. Now she'd never know if her instincts were right about him. She felt pretty sure he'd be epic in bed. And more importantly, he'd be good to her out of it.
It was too late now that she'd acted like a lunatic.
One thing was for sure. He hadn't scared her off, but she had definitely scared him away. She felt a sense of loss at the thought that Donnie wouldn't be batting his ridiculously long eyelashes at her anymore.
She'd done it again. She'd insured that she was going to be all alone. Safe. But lonely.
She stripped and stepped into the shower, trying to ignore the tears that ran down her face. The water washed the salty tears away, along with her sweat and any chance at love.
She dried off and slipped into her PJ’s. So what if it was early. It’s not like she was going out.
Or expecting company.
She was definitely getting a dog.
Chapter 11
Donahue
This day sucked ass.
Donnie slid behind the bar at the clubhouse. Dev was in his usual spot at the corner of the bar, with Jack sipping ginger ale beside him. They weren't talking.
That was normal for Jack. But Devlin was utterly silent as well. Donnie grimaced, realizing how bad things were.
Jack looked calm as usual. Dev… did not.
He was nursing what looked to be the most recent in a long line of beers. Empty shot glasses littered the bar around him.
A lot of shot glasses.
Donnie picked two of them up.
"Leave them!"
"I'm just getting us a refill, Dev."
Dev grunted and watched bleary eyed as Donnie poured two shots of tequila and pushed one toward Dev. They did the shots and Donnie poured another round immediately.
"Shit man, you too?"
“Things did not go as planned.”
Donnie nodded grimly. Jack cracked a smile.
"Donnie striking out? That's a first."
"This is different."
"How so?"
"I like her."
Devlin rolled his eyes and Jack's smile got a little wider. Jack had been smiling a lot the last few months, since he and Janet got together. Lucky bastard.
Donnie downed another shot.
"Like? Those are strong words for you, man."
"I take her for a ride and what does she do? She asks me to take her home. The bloody woman was scared of me for Christ's sake!"
"Scared of you? Now, that is funny."
Jack finished his soda and stood up. He’d been waiting for Donnie to takeover looking out for Dev. It was unspoken that he wasn’t going to be left alone until he’d calmed down.
"Well, I better get home to my woman."
Jack smiled and slapped Dev on the back. Hard. They stared at him as he walked out of the clubhouse. Donnie poured another two shots.
"Smug bastard."
Devlin grunted and tipped his head back, downing the amber liquid.
"I hope his nuts fall off."
Chapter 12
Sally
“Here’s your check. Come again.”
It was another busy night shift at Mae's. Sally was working alone, with Mae as backup. It used to be a shift she shared with Kaylie, but she was in school full time now.
Sally didn't mind the extra work though. It was good to be busy. It gave her less time for worries. And regrets. God knows she had enough of those. She regretting meeting Carl, dating him, almost marrying him. She regretted letting him use her as a punching bag.