Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
“You didn’t have to leave,” she mumbled before turning back to the TV.
Glancing around, I looked at all the candles. The smell of burning candles lingered in the air. She must have just blown them all out.
Son of a bitch. I’ve fucked up bad.
“One of the guys on the team mentioned I should stop by the party. I should have called you to see if you wanted to come, but I honestly wasn’t planning on staying but for a few minutes. I got to talking to Rich, the kicker, and I lost track of time. Angel, I’m so sorry.”
She stared straight ahead. I could see her chin trembling. Sitting down on the couch, I grabbed a handful of popcorn and pushed it into my mouth.
“Today, after the game, I saw a cheerleader come up to you and hug you. I don’t know why, but it bothered me to see it. Then, you smiled at her, and I felt exactly like I did that day when I stood outside the coffee shop and watched Jenny kiss you.”
She turned to look at me. “I was so overcome with jealousy that it actually stunned me. Then, Skip made some stupid comment, and it was then I looked around and saw all the girls trying to get your attention. It literally made me feel sick to my stomach. But then you looked directly at me, and everything was okay again.”
With a smile, I placed my hand on the side of her face. “Skylar, you have nothing to worry about, I swear to you.”
She pulled her lower lip into her mouth and chewed on it. “I know that, but there is this part of me that still feels unworthy of you. Broken and damaged. Like, at any moment, someone else is going to come along and take you from me. I can’t help the way I feel. I’m trying so hard, Wyatt. I know girls are going to be throwing themselves at you, but…”
A tear slipped from her eye and made a path down her cheek. Reaching up, I wiped it away. It killed me to see her upset.
“Skylar,” I whispered as I pulled her onto my lap.
“I wasn’t prepared for this. I don’t know why, but I wasn’t ready for women to scream out your name or for girls to hit on you in the library. I wasn’t expecting you to go to parties without me and for me to pace back and forth, waiting for you, in some stupid lingerie I bought.”
“What? Why did you change?” I asked, wiping the wetness off her face.
“The girl’s voice, asking you not to leave…it sucked every bit of excitement I had out of me. I know that makes me sound weak and pathetic.” She let out a soft chuckle. “I mean, if I heard Michelle acting like this, I would tell her to grow up and stop being a stupid fool.”
Sucking in a shaky breath, she shook her head. “I don’t want to be one of those jealous girls who gets bent out of shape over every single little thing. I trust you…I swear I do. But until I know how to get rid of that side of me who is stuck in the past, wondering why you are even the least bit interested in me, I have a feeling I’m going to struggle with this.”
“Angel, look at me.”
She peered into my eyes, and I was suddenly left breathless. Those beautiful gray eyes looked so sad yet so full of life.
God, how I love this girl.
“This is all new to me, too. At times, it feels like I’m still in high school, and I’m not sure how to react to things. It doesn’t matter how many women come up to me or try to get my attention or beg me to sleep with them, you are the woman I love, the only woman in my heart and in my bed. Skylar, you’re the only reason I breathe.”
“I’m so sorry I ruined your night.”
My heart slammed against my chest. Standing, I carried her into the bedroom and slowly put her down. “You’re the best part of my night, angel. When will you learn that?” My eyes swept over her body. “God, you look so beautiful.”
She glanced down and then back up, giving me a confused look. “I’m dressed in your clothes.”
“And it’s the sexiest damn thing ever.” My lips moved across her neck and up to her ear. “I’m so turned on right now that I have to force myself to go slow.”
Her breathing picked up as she gripped my arms and moaned out my name, “Wyatt.”
Running my tongue along her neck and up to her lips, I captured her mouth with mine, claiming what was mine.
The way my heart was pounding in my chest, I was sure Skylar could hear it.