Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Both.”
“I understand what you went through with your parents—”
“You don’t. Just as I’ll never understand how it feels for your father to look you in the eye and threaten to kill you. You can analyze my past all you want, but it’s not going to change my future. My line dies with me. If the two of us aren’t enough for you, then perhaps this is the end of the road for us.”
I couldn’t imagine my life without children—but I couldn’t imagine my life without him either. “Is this something you would reconsider in the future—”
“No.”
“You might feel differently after you’ve been married for a while—”
“No.”
“Bartholomew—”
“Laura. The answer is no. It’ll always be no. I trust you enough to know that you wouldn’t trap me into it. And if you did, I would financially support you, but I would never spend a single moment with that child.”
I was stunned into silence.
Our food and coffee were abandoned. Our joy had evaporated.
I had a difficult decision ahead of me. But when I looked down that road, the only face I saw was his. My heart beat for this man, and it would never beat for anyone else. If I found someone else, they would always be my second choice, and that seemed cruel. While I wanted children, I wanted them with someone I loved, and to have them with someone I loved less…didn’t make sense. I believed Bartholomew was capable of change and growth because I’d witnessed it with my own eyes. I believed there was a chance he would change his mind someday, but he wasn’t ready for that today. “Okay.”
“Okay what?” he asked, his voice still a bit cold.
“I want to be with you—no matter what our future looks like.”
He stared at me for a long time, the hardness slowly softening, like waves turning rock to sand. The silence continued as he studied my face, taking me in with a new depth. “You’re certain?”
“I’m certain I’ll never love anyone else the way I love you.”
His heavy body moved on top of mine, six-foot-something of manly perfection, and his narrow hips squeezed between my soft thighs until he sank inside me. Inch after inch filled me until his big dick had fully claimed me. Dark eyes were locked on to mine, and he started to rock, taking it slow without my having to ask.
I moved my hands up his muscled back and into his hair, digging into the thick strands, rocking my hips back into him, feeling a deeper connection than I’d ever felt before. Our bodies came closer to each other, and we writhed together, our breaths short, our moans loud. My face rested against his cheek as I clung to him. “I love you…” My nails dug into his back as I got lost in the moment, free to say what was in my heart without judgment or rejection. I said it again and again, not needing to hear him say it back.
Because I could feel it.
Most of the boxes were stacked in the living room. My furniture was still there because Bartholomew said he would have one of his guys take care of the removal. I stood in front of the closet and looked at my remaining clothes, the stuff in the very back, outfits I hardly ever wore. Should I take them or donate them?
I hadn’t worn them in a year, so I guessed I should give them away.
The door opened and footsteps sounded.
“I’m almost done. Just a couple more things.” My heart always skipped a beat when he dropped by unannounced, walking into the apartment because he was always welcome wherever I was.
His boots thudded against the hardwood as he approached the doorway. Then he came into view, wearing blue jeans and a gray t-shirt.
And then I realized it wasn’t Bartholomew.
It was someone else.
Someone who grinned at me like a psychopath.
“Expecting someone else?” He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. Then he looked me up and down slowly, his eyes violating my fully clothed body. “This is going to be fun.”
21
BARTHOLOMEW
The SUV pulled up to the building, and we all filed out of the car.
My phone rang, and if it weren’t Laura calling me, I wouldn’t have answered. “Busy right now. I’ll call you back.”
“Hopefully she’s still alive by then.” The man’s voice was like nails against a chalkboard on my ears. I stopped midstep, and my surroundings faded to nothing. I pictured Silas grinning like a goddamn clown.
All the guys stopped and looked at me.
I didn’t have time to make a plan before I responded. He’d caught me off guard—and I had to think quickly. “What do you want, Silas?”
“Right down to business. I expected questions. I expected threats.”
I didn’t play games when it came to my woman.
“I killed all your watchmen then walked right into her apartment. You should tell your girl to lock her door.”