Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Listen to me, Duchess. Do you hear my voice?”
“Yeah.”
“I want you to pull over. Right now.”
“I’m on the highway.”
He growls, and I hear him running and then the slam of his truck door. “I don’t care if you’re on the highway, I want you to pull over right now, Darby.”
I press my lips together and do as he says, although it’s raining so hard, I can barely make out the shoulder of the road.
“Did you do it? Are you stopped?”
“Yes. Yeah, I’m stopped.”
“Good girl. Now, tell me where you are.”
The tears have started, and I’m hyperventilating because the sky is exploding in light, the thunder is deafening, and the rain is so hard, and I’m right back there, twenty-five years ago, tied to a fence post, out of reach of my sisters, and—
“Darby!” His voice is hard and loud, and it brings me out of my head.
“Yeah. I’m here.”
“Where are you?”
“I—I don’t know.”
“I need you to share your location with me, baby. Pick up your phone and share your location so I can find you. I’m on my way, I’ll be there soon.”
I fumble with the phone, and finally figure out how to send my location.
“Perfect, I see you. I’m less than twenty minutes away.”
“That’s forever,” I whisper, closing my eyes and leaning my head back against the seat. “I’m so sorry.”
“Nope. You’re not going to apologize to me for this. It’s a bad storm. It’s just starting to hit where I am.”
“Oh God, please be careful. Don’t get hurt, Hotshot.”
“Never. I’m on my way to my girl. Turn on the air-conditioning in the car. The cool air will help you feel better.”
I do as he says, just going through the motions because I can’t think for myself right now. The sky flashes, and then the boom is so loud, I swear my car rocks on its tires, making me yelp.
“Christ,” I hear Tucker mutter. “Talk to me. You got the baby and mama all settled?”
I sniffle and wipe my tears away. My eyes are closed because I don’t want to see the lightning. But then thunder booms again, and I jump in the seat.
“Tucker.”
“Tell me about that baby. What’s her name? You said it’s a girl?”
“Yeah, it’s a girl.” I wipe more tears. God, this storm is never going to end. “I think they’re going to name her—ah!”
“Stay with me, sweetheart. I’m less than five minutes away. What’s her name?”
“I don’t know.” I can’t stop crying. I can’t think of anything right now. “I don’t know her name.”
“Okay. That’s okay. What color is your shirt?”
That makes me frown and sniffle again. “My shirt?”
“What color is it?”
I glance down, cracking one eye open. “Red. But I’m so dirty. I’m bloody and gross.”
“We’ll get you cleaned up. Are you hungry?”
So fucking hungry.
Mr. Kincaid brought us sandwiches for dinner, but I haven’t had a true meal in days.
“Yes, I’m hungry.”
“I have tacos waiting at home, but I can make you whatever you want. I’m world famous for my grilled cheese.”
“World famous?” Lightning strikes again, and I whimper. “Where are you?”
“Pulling up behind you.”
I didn’t even notice his headlights in the mirror, but suddenly, my driver’s door is swung open, and Tucker reaches in to unbuckle my belt, and the next thing I know, he’s moved me to the back seat and I’m cradled in his lap, his arms around me, my face in his neck, and he’s holding me so tight, I’ve never felt safer.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.
“Don’t be. Besides, I’m the one who needed to be held through this fucking storm, and you were taking forever.”
I can’t help but offer him a watery smile at that. “I’m a mess, Tucker. I’m going to get you so dirty.”
“You’re perfect. Don’t you dare worry about me.”
I press my palm on his chest, and I can feel his heart hammering, but his voice is so calm.
“Are you okay?” I ask him.
“I literally just told you not to worry about me.”
Lightning flashes, and I jump, clinging to him.
“I hate this,” I mutter.
“Listen to my voice.” His lips are right next to my ear. “I have you. You’re safe in my arms, I promise you. I won’t let anything happen to you ever again, Duchess.”
I loop my arm around his neck and hug him close, taking him at his word that he doesn’t care about the bodily fluids that I’m covered in.
“You’re so fucking brave.”
I scoff, but he rubs his hand down my back, all the way to my butt, and kisses my cheek.
“I know that arguing is your love language, but don’t argue with me about this. You’re so brave. The storm is passing. The thunder is getting farther away.”
We’re quiet as we listen, and sure enough, it’s off in the distance now, and the rain is just a sprinkle on the roof above.
I take a breath, pulling in the spiciness of Tucker’s shower gel and how right it feels to be cradled in his arms.