Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 136421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
“Oh shit, you’re in trouble now,” I say, trying to hold back my laughter. Sassy’s knocked over the birthday cake and is inhaling it by the mouthful.
“Well?” Everleigh whispers.
“It’s just Sassy,” I tell her.
Everleigh comes out and gasps. “No! Bad girl!” She tries to push Sassy away, but the hungry little shit is insistent.
Deciding to get involved, I grab Sassy’s collar and yank her away from the chocolate feast.
“You’re not supposed to have that!” Everleigh scolds. “Now I have to watch her and make sure she doesn’t get sick.”
Once I’ve taken Sassy out, I return to a pouting Everleigh staring at the messy floor. “That was supposed to be your cake.”
I wrap my arms around her waist from behind, then kiss the nape of her neck. “You know what would be fun? Taking whatever she hasn’t slobbered on and eating it off your body. Then after, we can share a shower.”
“Archer Boone…” she sing-songs, spinning around and locking her fingers behind my head. “Have I awoken the beast?”
I release a deep growl, leaning in to capture her lips. “You most certainly have.”
After a never-ending perfect night of eating chocolate off Everleigh’s sexy curves and then washing off every inch of her in the bath, we collapse in her bed, sated and exhausted. I lost count of how many rounds we went last night, but it never felt like enough. I wanted more, she teased and seduced me, and I pleased her multiple times over.
Now that I’ve had her, I’m not letting her go. I only hope Tyler will understand.
“Morning,” I say softly when she rustles next to me.
“Good mornin’, handsome,” she coos, her hand sliding down to the erection waiting for her. “I’m addicted to this now.”
“I think it’s addicted to you.” I groan when she wraps her hand around my shaft, sliding up and down, then focuses on the tip. Fuck, I’m so sensitive to her touch.
“Guess there’s no hope for us then. No amount of rehab can cure it,” she says.
I roll until I’m towering over her. “I’m good with that. How about you?”
“I sure am…as long as—”
The doorbell ringing along with Sassy barking interrupts us.
“Oh, that must be the breakfast I ordered. I scheduled it yesterday, pre-sexathon, but thank God I did. My body is way too sore to cook today.”
“Why’d you do that?” I ask as she quickly puts on her robe.
“Well, I figured we were gonna get super drunk last night and would need post-birthday activities food to soak up the booze.”
Chuckling, I stand and reach for my boxers. “Good call. I’m gonna use the bathroom, then I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” I press my lips to hers before I go.
Everleigh greets Sassy on the couch, then makes her way to the front door. Her voice goes up an octave, and it takes me a minute to realize she’s not talking to a delivery person.
“What do you have that I don’t have?” a woman’s voice asks.
“What are you doing here?” Everleigh asks.
Deciding to skip the bathroom, I walk toward her, wanting to find out what’s going on.
“What do you have that I don’t have!” the woman repeats, but now she’s screaming.
“Is there a prob—” I move behind Everleigh, widening the door, just as my eyes land on a woman who looks cracked the fuck out. She takes a step forward. Before I can comprehend what’s happening, Everleigh inhales a harsh breath, then slowly crumples to the floor.
“Baby,” I rush out, trying to catch her.
The woman runs off, and I look up to see the black SUV speeding away.
When I glance down at Everleigh, she’s holding her stomach, and that’s when I notice the pool of blood around her fingers.
“What…what happened?” My eyes scan over her quickly as I peel back the fabric of her robe. “Baby, what’d she…” And then I see it. “She fucking stabbed you!”
Everleigh’s eyes close, and I shake her shoulders. “No, stay awake. I gotta get my phone. Stay with me.”
She’s losing too much blood too fast.
I rush toward my cell, then dial 911.
“Everleigh, look at me.” Her eyes flutter open, then shut. “Everleigh.” I put my hands over the wound and apply pressure, but the bleeding continues.
“911, what’s your emergency?” the dispatcher answers, but my attention is glued to Everleigh.
“I-I love you,” she mutters.
“Don’t you dare,” I grind out. “You stay with me.”
“Hello, what’s the location of your emergency?” The dispatcher speaks louder, but my heart is ripping to shreds, and I can’t focus.
“I love you, Archer.”
And then she loses consciousness.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
EVERLEIGH
I hear something I can’t quite place. My eyelids are heavy, and I somehow force them open. When I turn my head slightly, Archer comes into view, and a smile touches my lips. Before I can open my mouth to say his name, my brother stands.
“Everleigh.” Tyler walks toward me, and Archer joins him. They look like they haven’t slept in days, but relief covers their faces.