Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“Hold on, Bishop.” I wasn't sure he heard me, but it didn’t matter because the doors opened a moment later. I waited until a burly man with a bouquet of flowers and a blue teddy-bear-shaped balloon that said Welcome Baby Boy stepped inside. I excused myself around him, the waiting room to my right, a reception desk to my left. “Bishop?” I prompted, but my phone kept going in and out, the reception awful.
Perfect freaking timing.
I pulled the phone away and looked down; the call had already disconnected. I shoved the cell into my pocket and started looking through the throng of people, searching for Bishop. There were so many that it was hard to wade through everyone, but then I saw him across the waiting room, his body towering over everyone else.
And my heart stuttered, the breath leaving me. Seeing him made me feel… right. Centered. Like everything would be okay.
CHAPTER 16
Korrie
He was pacing, everyone getting out of his way. He looked angry, moving back and forth, running his hands over his short dark hair.
He pulled his cell away and frowned down at it, his mouth moving in what was a clear curse. He started typing a text out, cursed again, then brought the phone to his ear. I knew he was calling me again, but with no reception, he was probably getting my voice mail right away.
He turned to face me, his eyes locked on the ground as he continued to pace. He pulled his phone away, shoved it in his jacket pocket, and started striding forward, his focus on the reception desk. I knew he planned on trying to push it again about going up to the ICU to see my father. I could see that determination on his face, etched into the very scowl he carried in his expression.
And then he started looking around the room, his eyes moving back and forth before settling on me. His entire body stopped, and I could see how tight his muscles became. We didn’t move for long moments, just stared at each other. The people started parting, as if they knew Bishop and I would want a clear path.
I didn't know what to do. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts running rampant in my head. And all the while, I just wanted to run into Bishop’s arms and let him hold me. But I stayed where I was, staring into the amber-colored eyes—even from this distance—of the man I had fallen in love with.
The man I am in love with.
And I was. God, I was so in love with him.
And then he was striding toward me, his expression clearly speaking one thing. Nothing will keep me from you.
I couldn't move.
In my mind I saw the next few moments play out. I saw Bishop stopping a few feet from me, both of us staring at each other yet neither saying anything. We’d stutter through words before I broke down and told him why I left and how worried I was about my father.
But when he was a foot from me, he didn’t just stand there. We didn’t just look at each other. Bishop had me in his arms, holding the back of my head, my face turned to the side as I rested my cheek against his racing heart.
“Korrie,” he said in a relieved voice, his muscles so tight against my softer curves.
“I’m sorry I left,” I said again, feeling like a bitch for not trusting and accepting him enough to be honest and let him be there for me. And I know he would have been there for me. I know that so, so hard.
“Shhh,” he whispered, moving his hand down to cup my nape, keeping me close, not letting me go. “I just want to hold you. I want you to know I’m here for you. That’s why I came.”
I closed my eyes and smiled even though he couldn’t see me. “But how did you know I was here?” It didn’t matter, not really, not now that he held me and I realized this was what I needed, that I hadn’t felt right or good or even stable until this moment.
“I went to your house to talk to you, to be that possessive asshole who’d tell you that you’re mine and I won’t let you go.” He exhaled, still not letting up on holding me. And that was fine by me. “And before you ask, I knew your apartment number because of the last name on the buzzer. And someone was leaving, so I easily got in.” He growled the last part out. “Which I don’t like, Korrie. That’s not safe, and knowing any bastard could walk right in…” He trailed off, his body tensing even more before I could practically feel him trying to rein in his control. “I’m getting off topic here.” I smiled again. “Anyway, there was a woman leaving her apartment, your neighbor. She said her name was Sharon and got a real protective attitude toward me when I started asking about you—which I appreciated.”