Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
A light snapped on, throwing shadows on the ceiling. I had no idea where I was as I looked around me, searching for Doug.
“Violet!” A male voice cut through my panic. “Hey. It’s OK, honey. It’s OK.” His voice was soft. Quiet. Probably trying to keep me from panicking even more.
I sucked in a breath, then let it out slowly. I closed my eyes and tried to shake off the haze of sleep. Slowly, my mind caught up with reality and I recognized my surroundings. “I’m in an apartment in a motorcycle club compound.” I don’t know why I spoke my thoughts out loud, but the affirmation helped finish clearing the cobwebs from my head. I met Riot’s gaze. He was on his knees on the floor beside my bed. “Riot.”
He seemed to let out a sigh of relief. “You’re back with me, aren’t you, honey?”
I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. I felt like I’d run a marathon. My chest ached, my lungs burned, and I was sticky with sweat. Riot didn’t touch me, but kept looking into my eyes, making me focus on him. “Yes. I’m sorry I woke you.”
“You didn’t.” His voice was gruff, but he was looking more at ease the more I spoke. “Can I help you get untangled?”
I nodded, unable to speak without my voice wavering. The last thing I wanted was to show more weakness than I already had. He was gentle as he unwound the sheet from my body, his touch clinical and respectful. When I was finally free, I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them.
He stood, then helped me get the sheet off so I wasn’t restrained.
“I must have gotten tangled in the sheets and had a nightmare.”
Riot grunted as he stepped back out of my space. I probably should have been embarrassed. I was sleeping in a T-shirt and panties and nothing else. At the very least I didn’t want to parade around half naked in front of a strange man. Instead, I was too shaky to worry much about it.
“I need to wash off the sweat.” It was an inane thing to say, but it was all I could come up with.
“Do you need help walking to the bathroom? You’re trembling.”
I shook my head. “I think I’m OK.”
Riot nodded and moved farther away from the bed, close to the bedroom door, but didn’t leave. As I crossed to the bathroom, I found myself oddly grateful he hadn’t left immediately. It was inappropriate at best, dangerous at worst, but Riot fascinated me. He was so protective, but unsure of himself. It felt like he was afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. So not like any man I’d ever been around.
I snagged a clean shirt and underwear before heading to the bathroom. “Thanks, Riot,” I murmured as I opened the bathroom door. “I didn’t mean to be a bother.”
“You’re not. Go take your shower. I’ll wait until you’re settled.” He sat on a plush chair in the corner next to a matching loveseat. It made a small, intimate area for relaxing.
I should probably have told him I was fine and to leave, but I didn’t want to. I wanted Riot to stay. At least for a little while. So, I simply gave him a small smile. “You don’t have to, but I won’t object if you want to stay.” I swallowed, then added, “You know. For a little while.” Riot nodded but said nothing.
The door was shoved open, and Caleb appeared in the doorway, his hair sticking up in all directions. “Mom?”
“It’s all right, Caleb. I’m fine.”
Caleb looked around the room until his gaze settled on Riot sitting in the corner. I thought I saw Riot wince, but I wasn’t sure. He looked from Riot back to me, then back to Riot. “He hurt you, Mom? Scare you?”
“No, honey,” I said immediately, hurrying to his side. “No. He came when he heard me scream. I’m so sorry I woke you.”
Caleb opened his arms and let me hug him. He wasn’t like typical teenage boys. He never hesitated to show me affection. It never seemed to embarrass him. “I’d rather you wake me up than not, Mom. You sure you’re OK with Riot here?”
“Yes. I’m not scared of Riot. I would never put you at risk. If I wasn’t sure about him, we wouldn’t be here.”
Caleb looked satisfied with my answer, then turned to Riot. Something passed between the two of them I didn’t understand but Caleb seemed satisfied while Riot looked even more uncomfortable than ever. It was kind of cute. Not a word I’d ever have associated with a biker or an ex-con. Together? Worse than laughable, yet there it was. When Caleb shut the door behind him, I gave Riot a small smile, then went to the bathroom and shut the door.