Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“No, I think I’ll stay here and cook some dinner. You guys won’t be too long, will you?” She pushed herself up.
“Why, you gonna miss us?” Deacon’s cocky tone had her fighting her smile.
Snorting, which was so not ladylike, she walked past him to start dinner. Before she was clear of his path he snagged her around the waist and pulled her into his body.
His arm snaked around her waist, and he dipped her back. He held her off balance, but she knew his strength was immense.
“Don’t let me fall.” She said breathlessly as she stared into his eyes. She still saw some of that edginess behind his eyes.
It was a presence inside of him that reached out, wrapped around him, and threatened to take him under. He still left for his runs, and when he returned, sweaty and exhausted, she showered with him, and the three of them went to bed. It was on those nights that Deacon clung to her, made love to her like an animal.
He was rough, but in the good way, like he had been in the garage.
“I’ll never let you go, Jessa.”
She knew his words held more than one meaning. He kissed her deeply, giving her everything. It was just as good as Thayer’s, and made her toes curl.
Deacon pulled away and helped her now weak body stand upright.
“We won’t be long, baby. Just going to get a few supplies.” She turned to head into the kitchen and squealed when Deacon tapped her on the ass.
His and Thayer’s chuckle followed them as they left the cabin.
An hour later the chicken simmered on the stove, the mashed potatoes were mashed, and the green beans were taking a boiling bath.
She was back in front of the fire on her belly, scanning the headline news. Nothing stood out to her, but when she skimmed over the personals her heart stopped. Leaning in to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her, Jessa stared at herself.
The picture was several years old. That had been during a time when she actually believed the lies he spewed. Her hands shook as she gripped the edge of the paper and lifted it.
Family seeking any information on the whereabouts of Jessa Taylor Malone. Jessa suffers from mental illness and can be unstable. She may be confused as to who she is. The family offers 5k for any information that leads to her reunion with her loved ones. Jessa may be confused and agitated. Five-foot-three and weighting one hundred and ten pounds, she has long dark hair and brown eyes.
She re-read the ad over and over again until every word became ingrained in her head. She wasn’t surprised that Paul searched for her, but surprise filled her that he offered five thousand dollars for information on her whereabouts.
If she had skimmed over the personal section for all those weeks she might have seen it. She had been so focused and sure that she would see headline news on her being a murder suspect that she had never contemplated the lengths he would go to.
Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked them away. Paul’s cell number was listed at the end of the ad. Those ten digits made her tears flow harder and faster.
The paper crumbled in her hand, and she threw the ball in the fire. Black smoke billowed from the burning trash, and she laughed sardonically at the image.
That was the story of her life: black and burning until there was nothing left. Part of her whispered that Paul wouldn’t be able to find her at the cabin, but the louder side of her said it was possible, especially when Paul was determined.
The fact he claimed she had a mental illness and others should be wary of her had a hysterical laugh leaving her. The bastard was a sociopath, and she vowed he would never have control of her life again.
She needed to speak with Thayer and Deacon, needed to tell them what was going on, to warn them. If she left now she could make it into town before she missed them.
Yes, she needed to leave now because who knew how soon Paul would come for her. Leaving them was not an option, not when she loved them. She stopped in her tracks and squeezed her eyes shut.
She loved them, so much it hurt at times. She had no doubt in her mind the Uncia brothers could handle themselves, but Paul was the very devil himself and wouldn’t stop, no matter what. That was why she needed to tell them the storm that was about to descend upon them all.
She raced to the door and grabbed her coat, purse, and the keys to her car. Memories of her night spent between Thayer and Deacon washed through her mind.
She let herself think about those times, about the soft moans, whispered words, and pleasure that brought her to the brink of heaven.