Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
She lifts her head and looks up at me. Her blush deepens, and I see it—she feels it too, the same pull that’s gripping me.
“But I don’t want you to leave,” I say, throwing it all out there. “I’ve never met a girl like you and I don’t want it to be over.”
The wind catches her golden hair, lifting it off her shoulders, and I swear my heart forgets how to beat.
“I know we’re far apart in age,” I say, putting it all on the line. “But I don’t care about the years between us. I just know that when I saw you, something in me stopped searching. Something in me clicked.”
Her lips part, her blue eyes soft and wide. “Ryland…”
I close my eyes, waiting for it. If she feels differently, I might just have to leap off this cliff to end the pain.
“I like that you’re older,” she says and my whole body floods with relief. “I think it’s sexy.”
The breeze picks up, brushing her hair against my chest. She tilts her face up toward me and I can’t hold back any longer.
I slide my hand onto the back of her neck and lower my mouth to hers.
She moans when I kiss her.
The kiss starts slow and gentle, hot and romantic. I taste her mouth and slide my tongue against hers like I’m kissing the most precious thing in the world. Her lips are so soft and warm, trembling just a little, and the sexy sounds she keeps making—oh fuck—they undo me completely.
I pull her closer, and she melts into me, her hands resting on my chest like it’s her safe space. I’ll be the safety net this girl deserves. I’ll be everything for her.
The world drops away as I deepen the kiss, holding her tighter, tasting her sweetness.
I’m in deep now. I’m obsessed with my angel.
Her heart beats against mine as she leans into me, her tongue sliding into my mouth. There’s no going back now. She’s not leaving. I don’t care what I have to do.
I slide my hands into her hair and her hat tumbles to the ground. We don’t stop to pick it up. We don’t stop for anything.
My heart is pounding when we finally pull apart, both of us breathless. Her fingers trace the line of my jaw, her eyes studying mine like she has a million unanswered questions behind them.
“Okay…” she whispers.
“Just okay?” I ask with a grin.
“Not the kiss,” she says with a shy smile. “That was… more than okay. Okay to staying for a few more days. If you’ll have me.”
I feel like the luckiest man on Earth.
“If I’ll have you?” I say as I cup her cheeks in my big hands. “Angel, you’re already mine.”
She moans as I kiss her again.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ellie
Ifeel like I’m floating on a cloud by the time I head back to the inn to shower and get dressed for dinner. My body is buzzing and I can feel every hard beat of my heart reverberating throughout my chest.
That kiss… My god…
I moan as I replay it in my head over and over, feeling Ryland’s strong hands on my hips, pulling me closer. The blissful growls and groans he was making. The taste of him.
My whole being longs for another one of those magical kisses.
I’m on cloud nine as I walk down the hall and slide my key into the door.
But then, it all comes crashing down.
“Ellie,” Mira snaps as she opens the door across the hall. “We need you in here. Now.”
I sigh when I spot Sloane and Tessa in the room behind her. All three of them look despondent. Tessa is in tears.
I’d give anything to be back up on that mountain with Ryland instead of walking into whatever shitstorm is waiting for me in that room.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I walk in, my mood plummeting as reality hits.
Mira closes the door and leans against it, her expression hard enough to cut diamonds. “Do you want to tell her, Sloane?”
Sloane shifts in her seat, looking very uncomfortable. “I’m pregnant.”
I gasp, squeal, and then run over and wrap my arms around her. “Congratulations!” I say, squeezing her tight. “I’m so happy for you.”
She sighs and hugs me back. “Thank you,” she says, smiling with relief. I don’t think she got the same warm reaction from Tessa and Mira.
“She’s quitting,” Mira says bluntly.
“I’m sorry,” Sloane says, turning red. “I’m just not enjoying it anymore. You two are always fighting and the constant grind of traveling is starting to get to me. I’m just… I’m done.”
“What are we supposed to do?” Tessa says.
“Are you seriously only thinking of yourselves?” I say, looking at them both. “This is amazing news. Sloane is going to be a mother. What is wrong with you two?”
They just stare blankly, probably wondering what is wrong with me.