Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Right,” he growls. “That's enough of this bullshit.” He stands up, reaches down, and pulls me with him. Next, he grabs me by wrapping his arm just under my ass and then lifts me up and over his shoulder before I can say anything.
“What are you doing?” I scream as he marches us out of the theater.
“I'm taking you back to your place and tying you to the damn bed so we can have this out once and for all.”
“That’s not happening,” I screech.
He has the audacity to laugh. “I keep telling you, Buttons. You have a lot to learn about me.”
I feel my belly lurch, a hot wave of need thrusting through me and centering between my legs.
“Put me down, Ryder. I can walk with you.” I practically beg. “I'd rather not have more people talking about me.”
“I like having you in my arms. I don't think I'm ready to let you go,” Ryder argues, laughing. “Let them talk. At least the town will know you belong to me, even if you and my damn brother refuse to admit it.”
His words send a thrill through me, but I push it down. I can't afford to let my guard down. I can't trust Ryder...
Can I?
Ryder
I put her in the truck, secured her seatbelt, and then drove. The ride to her house was filled with silence. I didn't try to fill it or push conversation because I'm not fucking sure what to say. I don't know how to reassure her. How do I fix the damage that I didn't cause… but did? It's confusing. There's no way I would've let this go if I had known. I would have tried to fix it, even if I was still with Emily. I need to figure out how to give myself a clean slate with Tillie. The attraction between us is too powerful to give up on. I’m praying like fuck she feels the same way.
Pulling my truck into her driveway, I expect her to speak up and argue with me, but she doesn't. She's quiet and I have no idea if that’s a good or a bad thing. I look over at her, noticing her breathing is heavier, betraying the fact that she’s still upset. She, however, just looks out the window, saying and doing nothing. She’s completely lost in her thoughts—and that I know isn’t good for me.
I hop out, walking around the front of the truck to open the door, and she still doesn't move. Leaning in, I unbuckle her, putting an arm under her knees and the other around her, as I pull her in close. She hesitates, holding herself stiff for a minute before resting her head against my chest.
“I can walk,” she says so quietly that I wonder if I imagined it for a second.
I pull her out, releasing her legs so that she slowly slides to her feet to the ground.
I keep her wrapped in my arms, kissing her forehead before I pull back to look at her. “I like having you in my arms, Buttons.” She reaches into her jeans pocket, pulling out the key as we walk to the front door. She goes to open it, but I pick the key out of her fingers, getting to it first. “I got it, sweetheart,” I respond before opening the door.
“How about you go take a hot shower while I lay out your pajamas. Then, we can talk,” I suggest, placing the key on the counter.
“I really think I'm all talked out tonight, Ryder,” she says, shaking her head. “I told myself that I would make sure I never felt like an idiot over a man again. Today, I do. I feel bruised on the inside, not where anyone can see, but where I feel. I'm too tired to talk.”
Before she can say anything else, I pick her up, carrying her into the bathroom.
“Why do you keep picking me up?” she whimpers, exasperated and I swear she sounds close to tears and that’s the last thing I want.
“I'm going to get you in the shower,” I mutter. I need something to calm her down and get her out of this mood that old memories have pushed her into. I walk to her bathroom and sit her sweet ass on the sink counter. “You’ve had a bad day, Tillie. You need a hot bath and some sleep.”
I turn to the shower, turn the water on and adjust it to a good temperature. I brace myself, because I fully expect her to fight me, but I need to show her that she can’t win. I’m going to take care of her. And Tillie? She’s going to be mine completely.
“Why are you doing this, Ryder?” she asks quietly. I can hear the pain mingling with hurt and disbelief in her words. I don’t like it.