Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
I groan and roll my eyes. “This better not be one of Duncan’s prospects,” I mumble under my breath.
Then something about the guy’s posture grabs my attention and throws me back in time. I’m back at that birthday bonfire. I pull up behind the vehicle and stop, blinking as I stare out of the windscreen.
The guy lifts his head from staring down at his mobile and turns toward me. My mouth falls open as the handsome lad stands up straighter. He’s tall, big, and thick.
A fit one indeed. He looks like something out of a movie. The beard, the height, the stance—he was made for the screen.
He has on a gray newsboy hat with a gray waistcoat and slacks. The hat is low, but there’s no mistaking his handsome looks. Beneath the fitted waistcoat that looks like a tailored piece to a three-piece suit, he has on a crisp white shirt that’s rolled up to his elbows.
On his feet are a pair of suede-looking gray loafers. Everything about him screams he has a style of his own. With a smile on his lips, he removes his hat and runs a hand through his thick, dark locks of hair.
A gasp leaves my lips. No fucking way. It’s him, this is him in the flesh. Cole O’Brien is standing in front of my home.
I sit frozen, wondering what in the world he’s doing here. Shaking myself out of shock, I put the car in park and climb out almost in slow motion. My brain still hasn’t registered that he’s real. I feel like I’m in a dream.
“Hello, DJ.”
“Cole?”
He opens his arms as the smile on his lips grows. My brows are furrowed as I stand staring at him. Cole has always been a fit lad, but my mouth is watering as I look him over.
His arms are stretching the fabric of his shirt, looking like they’re about to burst through the sleeves. He seems so much taller and larger than he was the last time I saw him. For thirty-three, he looks damn good.
“Come here, love. Give me a hug. I’ve missed ya,” he croons.
I snap out of it and rush into his arms. I’m overwhelmed with emotions as he crushes me in his embrace. His arms are so strong and comforting.
God, he smells good. He begins to sway with me in his arms and it’s like the dam breaks. I burst into tears and squeeze my arms around him tighter.
“I’m here now, love. I’m here. I’ve got ya,” he says into the top of my hair.
My brain kicks back into full operation, and it dawns on me he shouldn’t be here. Why now? Can I trust him?
Slowly, I take a step away from him. He looks at me as if he’s the one confused. I shake my head and wrap my arms around my middle.
“How are ya, love? Ya look good.”
“What are ya doing here?”
I want to let my guard down and rush back into his arms, but my mother’s voice keeps ringing in my ears. I need to get out of my emotions so I can think clearly.
Trust no one. Your life depends on it.
“I never break a promise. I’ve come to take ya to that dinner I owe ya,” he says.
I snort. “Ya’re eleven years too late.”
“Ach, I never gave up on finding ya someday. I’ve come all this way after having to have someone track ya down. I know yer not going to make me go to dinner by myself.”
“Why would ya have someone looking for me?”
He closes the small gap I’ve created between us and cups my face between his hands. I’ve missed those green eyes so much. I place my hands over his as if needing to, just to remain standing.
“I told ya before. Yer mine. No amount of time or distance will ever change that. When ya went missing, I thought I was going to go crazy,” he says as he searches my face with his gaze.
“Missing?”
I look back at him in confusion. His uncle was the one who picked me up from his parents’ home. Why would he say I’ve been missing? Better yet, why would he need to have someone search for me?
Couldn’t Uncle Finlay have told him where to find me? My hackles begin to go up. Something isn’t right.
“Aye, love. I was told ya were missing. If I had known where to find ya, I would have come for ya sooner.
“It’s good to see ya. How are ya? Are ya okay?”
“I’m fine. Although I’m not sure ya should be here.”
He makes a deep scoffing sound. “Who the fuck is going to keep me from ya?”
“Cole, I … maybe we need to back up a bit. I’m confused. Why are ya here now?”
“I told ya. I’m here to take ya to dinner. I want to eat and talk to ya.”