Hell or High Water (Mississippi Smoke #5) Read Online Abbi Glines

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Bad Boy, Erotic, Forbidden Tags Authors: Series: Mississippi Smoke Series by Abbi Glines
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Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
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Than hadn’t told me anything more about what they planned on doing with the information they had found on my stalker. But if he hadn’t been found by then, I was going to have to decide if I could brave going back to Monroe and using my scholarship or running. Taking a bus somewhere much farther away than here. Maybe the northeast. Find a job, make a new life.

I wanted that college degree. I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse. To be a part of watching new life enter the world every day.

Using a washcloth that I’d gotten as cold as I could with the tap water, I washed my face, holding it on my eyes for several minutes in hopes of hiding the crying I’d done. Than already regretted it, and I didn’t want to give him more to feel bad about. I had wanted my first time to be with him. It had been my decision. He didn’t have to worry that I was going to want more. I knew that wasn’t an option for us. He didn’t feel the same for me as I did for him.

Momma had always said women were smarter than men and had the power of controlling them with what was between our legs. But I disagreed. They had the upper hand. Because where we let our hearts get in the way, they could have sex with anyone and feel nothing but the pleasure of the moment, then walk away.

Turning from my reflection, I finished my morning routine, then made the bed and dressed. The cabin was still silent, and it was almost eight now. I was starting to believe he’d not just left my bed, but the cabin too.

Had he left me alone here at night?

I shoved the prickle of fear away. I’d been fine if he had. No one had snuck in and left a blue heart-shaped note. I wasn’t harmed. Well, except for the damage Than had done, but I’d survive that too.

Taking one more moment to steel myself and prepare to face him if he was sleeping on the sofa, I paused with my hand on the doorknob, then finally opened it. My gaze went from the empty sofa to the kitchen. He had left. Even though I’d tried to prepare myself for this, it still hurt. I wouldn’t cry again.

I drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. I was fine. I would be fine. I would get over this. I’d be stronger for it.

Walking over to the kitchen, I went about making coffee, then opened the refrigerator, but closed it almost immediately. I wasn’t hungry. There was no point in making a breakfast I couldn’t eat. I’d drink coffee and pull up my virtual classes. Start getting ahead on them today.

After getting my laptop and setting it on the counter in front of a stool and placing my coffee cup beside it, I went to the front door to make sure it was locked. If he came back, he could knock. I wasn’t staying here alone with it unlocked. When I reached it, I heard something outside and stilled. There was movement on the porch.

Was he sitting outside? Maybe he had woken up and couldn’t go back to sleep and didn’t want to disturb me.

I could have made this into something dramatic in my head when it wasn’t that way at all. Hope began to squeeze its way into my misery, and I opened the door, wanting to see him. To be reassured everything was going to be okay.

My eyes scanned the porch and stopped on Ransom Carver sitting on the far end of the railing with a cigarette in his mouth.

He gave me a tight smile and inhaled.

Why was Ransom here?

“Morning,” he drawled, keeping the cigarette between his lips.

I didn’t reply, then realized I looked like a lunatic, staring at him. But my mind was now reeling with all kinds of new scenarios. None of them good.

“Good morning,” I replied.

Did I ask him where Than was? Or would that make me look like a clingy, desperate female? I didn’t want him or anyone, especially Than, to think I was going to beg for his attention now. I started to close the door, deciding I’d go back to my schoolwork.

“Than had some shit to do early this morning. I’ll be out here if you need anything.”

I nodded and forced a smile before disappearing back into the cabin. The very empty cabin. At least he hadn’t left me out here by myself. He’d sent his brother.

That had to mean something. Right?

Thirty-Nine

Than

“You going to go back to the cabin, or do I need to assign someone else to stay with Montana?” Linc asked gruffly from behind his desk.

He’d sent me a text that he wanted to see me. I’d gone to the distillery today and handled things there while Ransom stayed outside the cabin for me. I needed a day to get my head on straight and figure out how to handle things with Montana. Lying in bed with her tucked up against me wasn’t ideal for thinking my shit through.


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