Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
I think my mouth is broken because, for the first time in like forever, it doesn’t seem to work. It takes me a second to get my brain and mouth to work together, and I chalk it up to the fact I have a concussion.
“And my father?”
“We’ll tell him.”
“When?”
He smiles at me. “Now.” I shake my head. “No?”
“Look, I’m done. Done being put last on everyone’s list. I told my mother the same thing. From now on, you need to earn my trust. My love. My affection. And before you say anything about the fall, I’m not talking about the fall. I’m talking about the way you played with my heart and dumped me so fast, like I meant nothing. If I’m going to tell my father, it’s because we’re endgame.”
“We are endgame.”
“I’ll decide that. And I’ll decide it when I’m not laid up in a hospital bed with a concussion.”
“Got it. You need some good grovel.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“No, but it’s what you deserve. You need to know I’m all in, and I’m going to give that to you.”
He places one last kiss on my knuckle and takes a step back.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to leave before your dad returns. But don’t fear, I won’t be far away. I’ll convince you I’m the man you need and that I’m worthy of your love.”
71
JOSIE
It’s good to be back home and staying in the main house. I’m in a gorgeous suite Sherry prepared for me, which is even better.
The sound of my bedroom door sliding open has me turning my head in its direction.
“What are you doing here?”
Dane takes a step inside.
“I call it Operation Grovel.” He meets my gaze head-on, and the sincerity of his stare does crazy things to my belly despite me not wanting it to. What can I say? I’m only human, but that doesn’t change the fact that I need to put myself first.
I raise an eyebrow. “And where did you get a killer name like that?”
A tiny smirk pulls at his mouth. “I googled it.”
“Wow. I’m surprised you admit it.”
His lips flatten into a straight line.
He’s quick to correct himself, shaking his head once and then taking a few steps forward, only stopping when his legs bump up against the bed. “You’d be surprised by a lot of the things I’d do for you.”
“Such as?” I prop myself up in the bed.
Dane’s eyes soften. “Well, I’m here to take care of you today.”
I glance around nervously. “Did anyone see you come in?”
“Well, seeing as you’re staying in the main house.” His brow pops up.
“Stupid question.” In order to get into the house, someone had to let him in. Duh. I blame my lapse on how likable he is. Being in his presence makes my brain mush.
“Nothing you say could ever be stupid.”
I roll my eyes, sighing loudly for effect. “I beg to differ, but okay.” There’s no masking my sarcasm, but I’m not trying to anyway. I say a lot of dumb things. Hell, our whole relationship stems from a night of me acting stupid.
He chuckles before pointing at the edge of the bed. “Can I sit?”
With a swift nod, he takes me up on my offer. “So grovel. What does that entail?”
His arctic-blue eyes twinkle. “Doing anything you want.”
If this man could get a score for sex appeal, his score would be an A plus.
Endless possibilities dance in my brain. This could be fun. “Anything?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Within reason. I won’t kill anyone.”
Oh, wow, he went there.
“Pity.” I shrug, biting my lip to hide my smirk.
“But other than that, everything is on the table.”
“Would you TP the house?” This time, I can’t help the mischievous grin spreading across my face.
“If you really want me to . . .”
I reach out and place my palm on his forehead. “Nope. No temperature.”
He removes my hand and lifts it to his mouth, kissing it gently before placing it back on my lap. “I’d do anything for you.”
“Did I get hit on the head, or you? Because you’re acting weird.”
“I’m acting like a man who was scared to death when I thought you were dead and realized I couldn’t live in a world without you.”
My heart thumps, and tears well in my eyes, but I push them away. “Back to the grovel. So. Um, what did you tell them?” I clear my throat.
“Tell who?”
“My father. Sherry.”
“I told them I felt responsible for what happened to you and wanted to see if you needed anything. I’m pretty sure your dad hates me now.” Dane shifts on the bed, looking down.
A piece of my heart breaks that he could ever think that. Doesn’t he know how special he is? My father loves him.
Deep down, I know he does. He’s only saying this because his mind remains clouded with the guilt of my accident.