Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
She picks up on the fourth ring, her voice soft but alert. “You alive? Or did one of those rats finally take you out?”
“The power’s out,” I breathe, sinking down to the floor beside the window and watching the storm turn the yard into a mess of shadows. “It’s pitch black, and there is no way in hell I can start that generator.”
She laughs. “You want me to come get you?”
“Please. I’ll owe you anything. My non-existent future children, my secret stash of chocolate, whatever. Just... don’t let me die out here.”
She snorts. “I’ll take the chocolate, you keep the kids. Nia’s little devil is enough.”
Nia’s little adopted daughter Lily is adorable, and Sable’s baby is going to be adorable, even though it isn’t Kael’s. Long, twisted story, that one.
“Thank you.”
“You safe for ten minutes?” she asks.
I glance at the door, at the pathetic deadbolt. “Define safe.”
I don’t hang up until I hear her start the car, the sound muffled through the call but loud enough to tell me she’s actually coming. I pull on my boots and a hoodie and sit huddled on the bottom step, counting thunderclaps.
Mera’s headlights slice through the dark just over ten minutes later. I make a run for it, sloshing through mud, only realizing how hard I’m shaking when I slam the passenger door shut and the plastic handle almost snaps off. Mera grins at me.
“You look like a drowned rat,” she teases.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
“Just so you know,” she tells me, turning the car around. “Knox is in a mood tonight.”
“Fantastic,” I mutter.
The parking lot is nearly empty when we arrive at the compound, except for a few motorcycles lined up, rain-slicked and shining under the lights. I’m not ready to deal with Knox. Not after the last time. But I also really don’t want to go home.
“You sure you want to stay here?” Mera asks, turning the car off.
“It’s this or the rats.”
She laughs. “Fair.”
Inside, everyone is just chilling, drinking beer and playing pool. I spot Knox immediately. He’s at the corner table, a woman draped across his lap, her hand curling through the hair at the nape of his neck. He looks up as we enter, his mouth twisting in that sarcastic almost-smile, and I feel my stomach twist.
What do I care?
Seriously, what do I care.
I ignore him, sliding up to the bar and sitting by Zane, who immediately shoots me a grin and orders me a drink. “How’s the haunted house? Couldn’t handle the critters tonight?”
I laugh. “Haunted and without electricity. My favorite.”
“Well, you know you’re always welcome here. My bed is free.”
I roll my eyes, shoving him with my shoulder. “We only just met, you know. You could be anyone.”
He winks at me. “Anyone or no one, I will take either.”
I take the drink when it is put in front of me by a half-naked blonde woman, who I think they call sweetbutts.
“Are you this charming to all the women, or just me?”
He leans in close, keeping the grin. “Only the pretty ones.”
“Charmer.”
“So,” he murmurs, pulling out a cigarette. “If you’re not staying with me, who are you crashing with?”
“She’s stayin’ with me.”
Knox’s voice comes from behind me, and I flinch, turning and seeing him standing, his eyes on Zane, firm and unwavering.
“I absolutely am not,” I say, too loud.
Zane chuckles. “I’m stayin’ out of this one.”
“It’s that or the farmhouse, all the other rooms are taken. Which one do you prefer?” Knox growls, his voice low.
I can’t tell if he’s lying or threatening me. Either way, I’m not going to the barn.
“Fine, but I’m sleeping on the floor,” I mutter.
“Best of luck,” Zane teases.
“Zip it,” I snap as Knox nods his head in the direction of his room.
I follow him, ignoring Mera and Nia’s silly little thrusting dance that they do as we leave.
Knox’s room is exactly how I remember it, and I watch awkwardly as he turns on the lights and takes his shirt off, tossing it onto the floor.
“Isn’t your little woman staying in here?” I say, sarcastically.
“Already finished with her today.”
Jesus.
Do I dare ask?
He disappears into the bathroom, and I hear the shower running. I take that time to take a pillow and spare blanket and make myself a spot on the floor. Sitting down, I wait and listen as the shower stops and Knox walks out, towel around his waist.
I try not to stare at his sweat-slicked skin, or the way his muscles bunch. Don’t get me started on the bulge between his legs, outlined by the white towel.
God damn.
This was a really bad idea.
Lightning cracks outside, and I can hear the storm getting worse.
“Are you actually this stubborn?” he says, folding his arms.
I blink up at him. “I’m not sleeping in your bed. No thank you.”
He doesn’t answer. He simply crosses the room in three long strides, scoops me up with absolutely no warning, and deposits me straight onto his bed. I shriek, punch his shoulder, but he’s made of granite and doesn’t even flinch.