Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
It was my father’s.
And then it was Roshaun’s again.
Back and forth, the face of the man who hurt me switched.
One moment, I felt Roshaun’s hands on me after watching me strip. Next, I heard my father’s voice ordering me to fuck his boss. Eventually, the two men melted into one.
I pressed harder, taking away my abusers’ ability to breathe just as they’d taken away my ability to feel safe, to feel loved, and to trust. No matter whose visage appeared before me, the anger and betrayal felt the same.
The loss felt the same.
I didn’t realize I’d blacked out, and so had Roshaun. He’d stopped struggling long before I felt Ocean’s hands pulling me away. I knew it was him because of his cologne.
No one on Earth smelled as sinful as Ocean Kilpatrick.
He locked his arm around my chest, kissing the side of my face and bringing me back from the rage that had taken over me. Roshaun and my father didn’t get to decide who I was anymore.
As for the latter, I had no idea if that bastard was even still alive.
“He won’t be for long,” Ocean promised, and I realized I’d spoken out loud.
“I don’t care,” I lied. “Thank you for this, but I can’t.” I inhaled deeply because the effort it took—the weight of it—not to give in and end Roshaun Perry once and for all nearly crushed me.
But there was something else I needed more.
Something else I couldn’t live without.
“If I kill him, Coby will hate me forever. If I lose her, he wins.” It didn’t matter that I’d pictured this moment a thousand times, and in none of them did I fantasize about walking away, but I needed Coby more than I needed revenge. “I’m making a choice not to think about him or my sperm donor ever again.”
“And you won’t have to.”
With one last kiss to my temple, Ocean led me away, back to the Denali. I didn’t even look back as I let him. It was just the two of us when we drove back to the city. Abel had stayed behind to take care of Roshaun. I didn’t want to ask what Ocean would do with him because I didn’t want to lie to Coby. The second reason is thatI just didn’t care anymore. Roshaun had no power over me.
Staring out the window, I was lost in my thoughts until I felt Ocean’s hand curving around my thigh. I looked down at it, and then I did something crazy.
I laced my fingers through his, and when he squeezed, I squeezed back.
Ocean didn’t drive us back to Glainne.
It was the wee hours of the morning, and even on Christmas, the city was still asleep.
The drive-in theater Ocean took us to was miraculously open, though no one else was around. I tried to hide my excitement and curiosity since I’d always wanted to go to one of these. I eyed Ocean suspiciously as he backed the Denali into the perfect spot so that the tailgate faced the screen. Once parked, Ocean told me to stay put before climbing out.
I checked my phone to ensure I didn’t have any messages from Coby in case she’d woken up while Ocean messed with something in the trunk. I was starting to wonder if he had a dead body back there or something. He was swearing viciously as he shifted things around. Whatever he was doing, it took him twice since he only had one working hand.
I offered to help, but he ordered me to stay my ass right where I was, so I did. The last movie of the night/morning was about to start, and I didn’t care what it was. I was just excited to be here.
Wish I had some snacks.
Ocean finished with whatever he was doing back there and came to my door to help me out before leading me to the back of the Denali.
As soon as I saw what had kept him, my heart skipped a beat.
A thick blanket had been laid out where the third row of seats had been stored inside the floor to make room. There were pillows propped against the back of the second row of seats to make it extra cozy and electric candles to add ambiance. The picnic basket, centered on the blanket, caught my eye, along with the large tin can of popcorn. It was filled to the brim with three different flavors—cheddar, caramel, and butter. There was also a wooden board filled with an assortment of sugary sweets.
I felt the heat of Ocean’s body at my back, watching me take it all in. I’d love to say I was a wall, giving nothing away, but it would be a lie. My skin prickled with all the emotions pushing to be free.
“You did all this?”
I felt Ocean nod against my shoulder. “Climb in,” he whispered. “I won’t bite.”