Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“I have tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. I didn’t know what you would order.”
He got everything.
Because he didn’t know what I would want.
But I need to play this cool. It’s not a romantic gesture. We have to eat, and it’s not like he can text me to ask me what I want.
“Thanks.” I dip a chip in the queso and sigh when I chew. “We’ll have leftovers.”
Gideon passes me a plate, and we dig in, and less than five minutes later, I’m sitting crisscross in a plush leather chair while he’s sitting on the couch, and the beginning credits of The Goonies come on.
“A classic,” I say, nodding in satisfaction.
“Never seen it.”
I stop chewing and stare at him. “How? I thought this was a staple in everyone’s childhood.”
“I didn’t have a normal childhood” is all he says, and the hard look of his face tells me that he won’t say more.
“Well, then you can watch it now.”
This burrito is bomb, and when all my food is gone, the chips are just a memory, reduced to crumbs on the coffee table, and my belly is as full as it’s been in a long time, we lounge back and watch the movie.
“This town is full of idiots. All of them should have CPS called for losing their kids.”
“It’s a movie, Gideon. It doesn’t have to be realistic.”
He smirks but crosses his arms over his chest and stays quiet for a while.
The kids have just found the pirate ship when Gideon lets out a huff.
“No way.”
“It’s a freaking movie. Are you like this during Marvel movies? Or Star Wars?”
“No, those are science fiction.”
“You’re entertained. I can see it. Your teeth aren’t clenched so hard that it looks like they’re going to break.”
He scowls over at me. “I don’t do that.”
“On the daily, big guy.”
“Why do you call me that?”
I blink over at him. “You have nicknames for me. I can have one for you. Besides, have you seen you? You’re a big guy. And if you make a joke about your dick right now, I will choke you out with that burrito wrapper.”
“I’d love to see you try, Rebel.”
He holds my gaze, those steel gray eyes full of humor, and the room is suddenly consumed with humming electricity. My breathing increases. My pulse is hammering. And Gideon’s eyes spark with interest as he licks his lower lip.
“Walk the plank!”
Gideon’s the first to break the stare, and I feel like I should fan my face.
It’s hot in here.
“Those restraints are not tied very tight. The kids are lazy. They could get out of those. Amateurs.”
I can’t keep the giggle in. “Okay, expert.”
“I am an expert.”
“They’re kids. They’re scared.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“I think you just don’t want to like this movie because I like it.”
“Not true.” He shakes his head and then smirks when the two oldest teenagers share a kiss after falling off the plank. “He’s thinking about scoring now?”
“Duh. He’s sixteen.” I take a sip of my water. “Don’t ruin the ending.”
He manages to stay quiet until the credits roll.
“That’s two hours of my life that I’ll never get back.”
I glare at him. “Did you really hate it that much?”
“No.” His lips twitch, and I throw a pillow at his face. “You’re so fucking violent, Blackbird.”
“Not usually. You must bring it out in me.” I stretch my arms over my head and yawn. I don’t really want to go to sleep. I don’t want to dream.
But my eyes are heavy, and we have an early morning tomorrow.
“Back at it at five?” I ask him.
“No. Not until your new gear arrives.”
“There has to be something we can do that doesn’t involve shoes.”
And just like that, the air is heavy again, and Gideon’s eyes drop to my lips.
I want to climb into this man’s lap so bad, it almost hurts.
“We can shoot,” he finally says, interrupting my thoughts. “But we don’t have to get up that early. Let’s meet in the kitchen at eight.”
I nod and stand, then start to pick up our mess from dinner.
“Leave it. I’ll get it.”
“I don’t mind—”
“Good night, Lena.”
With a sigh, I take my own plate to the kitchen, then offer him a wave as I walk through to the stairs and up to my room.
Chapter Eight
Lena
The nightmare tears me out of sleep, my heart racing, sweat pouring down my back, tears streaming down my face, and memories that I wish with all my heart I could forget so vivid, I feel sick to my stomach.
So much blood.
Gideon hurt.
My screams.
Sitting up, I bend my knees, rest my elbows on them, and then bury my face in my hands and give in to the tears.
You’re the little girl who hurt my guy.
“You have to get a grip, Lena.” I sniffle and wipe the tears away, then check the time.
Five.
I guess I’m not sleeping in this morning after all.