Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
He stares at me for a long moment, and I wonder if he’s going to kiss me.
But he doesn’t. He steps away and pulls open my car door for me.
I feel bad that I’m relieved.
I get in, put the key in the ignition, and pull on my belt.
“Drive safe,” Rich says, holding the door. “I’ll call you this week.”
“Okay,” I say.
He closes my door with a soft clunk, and I put it in gear and pull away, heading for home.
Five minutes later, I pull up onto my driveway behind Aunt Elle’s car. The lights glowing from the living room tell me that Aunt Elle is still up.
But then, of course, she would be. It’s embarrassing that I’m coming home early.
I suck at this going-out thing. But then I blame Zeus for turning up and ruining my night with his chest-signing antics.
On a sigh, I grab my bag and climb out of my car. I almost have a heart attack when I see Zeus standing at the end of my drive.
“Jesus Christ!” I say, clutching at my chest. “What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were still at the bar.”
“I left when you did.”
“Did you fly here?”
He laughs a deep sound that reverberates in my chest. “No. I just don’t drive like a grandma.”
“I don’t drive like a grandma. I drive responsibly.”
“Mmhmm.” He chuckles that sound again.
“Why did you leave the bar? Did Busty’s pen run out of ink?”
His lips lift into a sexy grin. “So, you did leave because you were jealous.”
“I…what?” My mouth pops into an O. “No, I did not leave because I was jealous, Mr. Ego. There was nothing for me to be jealous over.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
“Okay then.” He turns and starts to walk back down the driveway.
I feel this harsh pull in my chest, and I’m speaking before I can stop myself, “What are you doing here, Zeus?”
He stops and turns around to face me. “Making sure you got home okay. I figured Deputy Dick wouldn’t see you home unless he was getting something at the end of it.”
“I went in my own car.”
“He could have followed you home.”
“How do you know he didn’t?” I fire back.
He takes a step back and glances both ways down the empty street before giving me a pointed look. “Deputy Dick has a side job as the Invisible Man?”
“Fine,” I snap. “He didn’t see me home. But what does it matter to you?”
“You’re the mother of my child. I care about your safety.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Just not for the last five years.”
His face darkens, and he walks back to me, his long legs quickly eating the space between us. He stops inches away, and I suck in a breath.
“I fucked up, Cam.” His voice is rough. “You think I don’t know this? I know. Jesus, do I know. But I’m trying here.” He scrubs a hand over his head. “I’ve made so many mistakes. But no more. I’m gonna do right by you and Gigi.”
“I don’t need you to do right by me. Only Gigi.”
Zeus stares at me, and the look in his eyes makes me start to tremble.
“I don’t think you understand, so I’m just going to make it plainly clear. I want you back.”
“You…what?”
“I want you back.”
He steps closer, and I instinctively step back, my heart rattling in my chest.
He frowns at my retreat but continues on, “I still love you, Cam. I never stopped.”
“No. No fucking way. You don’t get to come here and do this. We’re over, Zeus. We were over a long time ago.” The moment you stuck your dick in someone else. “The only thing between us now is that little girl sleeping upstairs.”
He slowly shakes his head, his eyes holding mine. “We’ve never been over. I never moved on, and neither have you.”
I grit my teeth, fury flooding in my veins. “I moved on a long time ago.”
“No, Dove, you didn’t. And you’re lying to yourself if you think otherwise.”
How dare he! How fucking dare he!
“You cheated on me!” I yell. “You slept with another woman behind my back, and then you told me over the phone when you were thousands of miles away! You broke my heart, Zeus! And I haven’t seen or heard from you in five years. Now that you’re back, you think you can just turn up here, saying these things, telling me you still love me? Well, you fucking can’t!”
“I didn’t cheat on you.”
I stop. “What did you say?”
His eyes hold mine as he gently shakes his head. “I didn’t cheat on you, Dove.”
“But you said—”
“I lied.”
Five Years Ago
After a long day of classes, I climb into bed after brushing my teeth. I check my cell for messages before turning off the lamp, but there aren’t any.
I was hoping to have a text from Zeus. I haven’t heard from him in a few days. I sent some texts, but he hasn’t replied to any of them. I know he’s busy with training for this fight he’s got coming up, and the time zone difference doesn’t help. But it’s not like him. He always makes contact with me every day when he’s away.