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 turn and walk inside and straight up to my room, where I start to shove my things into a bag.
Chapter Nine
Gideon
I want to run in after Lena, hug her to me, and tell her she’s not going any-fucking-where. Goddamn it, I like having her around. It’s been less than two days, but I’m already used to her presence. Her sass. Her smile. And fuck me if I don’t want to touch her.
I can’t.
But I want to.
“Gideon,” Willow begins, and I shake my head, rounding on her.
“What the fuck, Wills?”
“I came over to talk to you, and I found her here on the deck—”
“So you decided to attack her again before the sun is even up? Christ, did you let her take a sip of coffee first?”
“No.” Her shoulders slump, and she closes her eyes. “I mean, yes, she had coffee. No, I didn’t attack her. I was trying to explain why I feel the way I do, and of course she told me that she can’t explain what happened before.”
“You really have to let that shit go.” I push my hand through my sweat-soaked hair. “It’s been five fucking years, Wills. I have a great life here at the ranch. I like my career. I’m good at it, and I make a shit ton of money. So seriously, stop.”
“I had no intention of it escalating. Honest, I was talking to her, she was a little defensive—”
“I wonder why.”
“And then she was telling me that she’ll leave.”
“She’s not leaving.”
Willow’s lips thin as she watches me, and then her eyes narrow. “Wait. She’s not leaving now, or when whatever this is is over, or she’s not leaving ever, Gideon?”
The question is a kick to the solar plexus.
Of course she’ll eventually move on from the ranch. She’s not mine to keep.
But that thought leaves a bad fucking taste in my mouth.
“For now, it’s my job to keep her safe, apparently even from my best friend. So let me make myself crystal clear. We’ll stay out of your way, and while she’s here, you’re not welcome at my place. She deserves to feel safe and comfortable, and apparently I can’t trust you for that.”
Willow shakes her head, but I keep talking.
“Go home, Wills.”
“Gid, I love you.”
“Yeah, I know. I love you too. Go home.”
Turning away, I push through my back door, head straight to the stairs and up to Lena’s room. The door stands open, and she’s stuffing things into the one duffel bag she brought with her.
She’s still wearing my army hoodie, which makes me want to bend her over that bed and fuck her. Hard. Then come all over her back, marking her.
Jesus.
“Lena, you’re not going anywhere.” No fucking way.
“They didn’t approve it?” Her pretty lavender eyes round, and something similar to despair takes up residence behind them, and it makes me want to punch a goddamn hole through the wall.
“I’m not asking,” I reply and step closer. “This is where you’re the safest.”
She shakes her head and starts to pace.
“No, I don’t want to be in the way. I don’t want to make your family uneasy, and—”
“I told Willow that she’s not welcome to come here while you’re living here.”
That makes her stop cold, and she shakes her head. “No, Gideon. I’m not going to be the reason there’s a rift in your family. I won’t be a burden, or an imposition. I don’t want to be anywhere that I’m not welcome. Damn it.”
Her lower lip quivers, and it’s almost my undoing. Who is this woman? The Blackbird I knew never cried in front of me, not until that horrible night. She was almost obstinate, and strong willed.
This little rebel before me is about to have a panic attack.
“Why can’t I ever tell Chelsea no?” she mutters, wringing her hands together. “Why do I let her get me into trouble like this?”
“You’re not in trouble.”
“I ruined your vacation, and then Ryker’s retirement—”
I’m going to kill Willow.
“I ruin everything.”
“Nothing is ruined, Lena.”
The tears are falling now, and I’m not sure if she even hears what I’m saying, so I do the only thing I can think of.
I move right into her and wrap my arms around her, hugging her to me.
She stiffens and tries to hold herself away, but after two short seconds, she gives in and leans into me, her cheek pressed against my chest, and her arms loop around my waist.
“Listen very carefully to me. Do you hear me?”
My lips rest next to her ear, and I’m rubbing my hands up and down her slender back, rocking her back and forth, doing my best to soothe her.
Lena sniffles and nods. “Yeah.”
“I want you here. You’re staying because that’s what I want.” I swallow hard because she smells so good, and I want to kiss her head, but I have to keep it together. “I’m not going to ask for you to be reassigned because I’m what’s best for you right now. I’ve got you here with me for safe keeping. This is your safe space. Nothing and no one will hurt you.”