Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
My face flushes hot under his knowing gaze. “You’re bossy and controlling.”
He drops his head, his lips inches from mine. When he speaks, his breath is warm against my skin. “We agree on that. It’s not up for debate. Now be a good girl and answer the question.”
I moan, “I need you.”
He doesn’t make me say anything more. He can read me so well that he already knows how aroused I am. Within seconds of my confession, he’s taking care of me with his lips, his tongue, his fingers. He’s pushing me higher and higher until I’m hurtling into space. I close my eyes as stars explode behind my lids.
My body is still quaking when he slips inside of me. He pins me against the wall, taking me hard and fast. The entire time, he’s growling in my ear, “You’re mine. You’ll always be mine. Mine to protect. Mine to love. Mine to watch.”
The last promise has my body spasming around him as he satisfies both of us again and again. In this moment, I know that whatever happens, Griffin is never planning to let me go. This cowboy stalker owns me, body and soul.
Chapter 11
Griffin
Sweat drips down my back since the aging window units can’t keep up with the August humidity. It’s the middle of the day, and I’m here at Cartwright’s office with Aunt Dorothy to sign the paperwork. He’s the town’s lawyer and handles most anything that comes his way.
She passes me the pen, and I scribble my name on the legal documents. Today, I’m becoming the proud owner of half her land. I plan to start my own farm on it where Missy can spend her days being spoiled by me and Daisy can grow up learning to love the land the same way I do.
When we’re done, I wrap Aunt Dorothy in a hug. This pint-sized woman took me in when I didn’t have anywhere to go. She didn’t have to take on her sister’s kid, but she did. “Thank you for all you did for me.”
“You were a good kid then. You’re still a good kid now,” she tells me as if I’m not six feet tall and all grown up. I don’t think she’ll ever see me as an adult. I’m guessing I’ll always look at Daisy that way, as a little kid in need of my protection.
“Can you come on another errand with me? I have a ring to pick out,” I tell her. I know she’s been anticipating this. She left a couple of jewelry catalogues on the kitchen counter yesterday. Then she somehow managed to get Missy looking at them. The two of them stood there for an hour, thumbing through the pages and talking about the styles of jewelry they like.
She beams at me, and I can tell from her expression that including her in this was the right move. I might be grown, but she still wants to be a part of my life. I plan to make sure she’s not only part of my life but of my family’s life too.
The ring shopping doesn’t take long then I’m hurrying back to the farm to meet the Maple brothers. They’ve all built homes on their family land. A lot of them here do. It’s common to find farms that have passed down through the generations with each new generation continuing on centuries’ old traditions.
I called Greer and Noah over because they built their places fast, and that’s exactly how I want my home built. I smooth out the sketch that Noah has shown me.
“Gonna need another bedroom here.” I tap a spot on the plan. If I have another bedroom there then Missy will have a dedicated room for her studies when she’s taking her college classes. I want to make sure she gets the chance to see all of her dreams come true. As Daisy and our other children grow up, we can use it as a playroom.
Noah pulls a pencil from behind his ear. He mutters something under his breath and goes about erasing some lines. It’s a sketch for now. We’re trying to nail down the layout first. When I’m sure we have something solid, I’ll bring it to Missy for her feedback. Her opinions are what matter most to me.
The three of us spend the next hour sketching and resketching the layout plan. Finally, Noah tucks the pencil behind his ear again and says, “I’ll send you a finalized layout later this week.”
I clap him on the back. “I appreciate it.”
Greer looks over the land and gives me a nod. “You got yourself a nice little plot here. Let me know when you’re ready to start building that barn.”
I promise him that he’ll be my first call. Then I leave for work.
It’s a slow day at the Courage County Police Department. Luke is sipping his coffee and absently tapping his pen against the crossword puzzle. He’s always playing a crossword puzzle.