Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“It’s looking like a cold shower kind of morning.”
My apartment in Gatlinburg is quiet—too quiet. It’s nice enough: sleek lines, dark wood, all the trappings of a man with money. But it’s not home—not like the clubhouse. I miss being there, miss being within shouting distance of my brother. I should’ve moved in there weeks ago, but Bear kept putting me off. He told me why after the vote approving a casino in city limits. He wants us to keep up appearances—keep playing the role of the clean-cut attorney while the casino deal gets locked in. I don’t like the lie, but I’ll play along. For now. I won’t hide the real me forever, but because Bear asked, I’ll play the game for now.
Eventually, if I don’t come clean, someone will put it together. I mean, we’re from this area. Sure, no one has seen me since Bear moved me to Sweetwater after hiring my Elisi—which is maternal grandmother in our native language—to take care of me. Of course, Adair isn’t my true grandmother, but she might as well be. She gave me love and security at a time when I desperately needed it. I had constant contact with Bear—who became more like a father than a brother—but I can’t deny Elisi helped form the man I am.
The point is, someone will remember Bear had a younger brother my age and put it together sooner rather than later. I don’t like hiding who the real me is—especially to Olivia. I want her to know who I am and accept me. Plus, I also hate being away from the brothers. From Bear. He raised me, made me the man I am. Being on the outside from him and the club feels all kinds of wrong.
I step toward the window again, watching the rain blur the city lights. My reflection stares back—tired eyes, unshaven jaw, a man caught between two worlds.
“Make up your mind soon, Livy,” I whisper. “Because I’m coming for you. And if you don’t choose me…” I smirk at my reflection, though it feels more like a threat than a promise. “…I’ll take the choice out of your hands. I’m not letting you get away.”
I go into the bathroom, jumping in the shower, and immediately twist the lever all the way to cold. The first blast hits me like a punch to the gut. It may cool my skin and make me more awake, but it does nothing to kill the need inside my body. I quickly adjust the temperature of the water, lean my head against the shower wall, close my eyes as the water pounds down on me, and wrap my hand around my cock and immediately imagine Olivia on her knees in front of me, her hands holding onto my hips as my cock disappears between her swollen lips.
Fucking heaven.
It’s going to be a long, damn day.
5 OLIVIA
My palms are sweating. It’s utterly ridiculous, because I’m standing on Bear and Ayita’s porch, not walking into a courtroom or facing down a firing squad. Still, I can’t shake the nerves fluttering through my stomach. The air smells like rain. Most everyone thinks I’m insane when I say the air smells different when it’s going to rain, but it does. I can truly tell the difference. I hope it holds off until I’m back home. I shift the tin of cookies in my hands before I drop it and adjust my sweater. I’m wearing comfort clothes tonight—my favorite jeans, a soft, brown sweater, and matching boots. It may look casual, but it was a carefully thought-out ensemble. In these clothes, I look normal. That helps me to pretend I’m a woman who is not a sad mess on the inside.
My pep-talk tonight included telling myself over and over that I’m here for a quiet evening with friends and I’m going to have fun. I even baked Bear’s favorite—my chocolate-coconut Cowboy Cookies. He goes gaga for them, always making me feel good. Part of me thinks he does it just to bolster my confidence. Even if that is the only reason, I appreciate it.
I reign in my crazy thoughts and knock on the door. My heart skips a beat when the door swings open. I expected to see Bear or Ayi and I have a smile on my face. Instead, in front of me is Blade and my heart flip-flops. Crap!
He looks like a walking dream in nothing but faded jeans and a faded blue T-shirt that has Kentucky written across the chest. He has a beer bottle dangling from one hand. Blade looks good enough to eat, but it’s his smile that hits me dead center.
“Hey, Livy.”
“I think it’s illegal to wear that shirt, Blade. You’re in Tennessee Volunteer country.”
His smile deepens and dang it, my knees go weak.