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)
“Are you still going to kill Hunter?”
“Not unless she gives me a reason, Coby.”
It was incredibly telling that my answer wasn’t very assuring to Coby. Hunter was never going to give up fighting to be reunited with Coby, and my bride-to-be didn’t seem any closer to letting go of Hunter either. These two were making it harder and harder for me to do the honorable thing and keep my hands to my fucking self.
I didn’t know if they were just committed to the lie that they were only friends or in denial, but I wondered how much longer I could resist calling them both out on it.
“Come on,” I said when it began to look like Coby would pass out from exhaustion right here. “Let’s get you to bed. You need the rest. You have a big day tomorrow.”
“What’s happening tomorrow?” she asked with a confused frown aimed up at me.
Staring straight ahead, I ushered into my room. “You’re meeting my mother.”
COBY
Ocean hadn’t put me to bed. He said I was welcome to sleep, but how could I?
The muscles in my arms gave another spasm when I shifted to ease the crick in my neck. I caught my sob before it could escape, refusing to give that sadistic fuck the satisfaction. I noticed the rings in the ceiling and thought they were strange, but I hadn’t given them much thought. And then last night, Ocean made me regret it when he showed me what they were for.
After announcing that I would be meeting his mother today, he stripped me naked and bound my wrists together, leaving little slack in the ropes. If I sat back with my butt on my heels, they stretched my arms so tightly I thought they’d snap. My only relief was if I rose onto my knees, a pose I could never hold for long.
It had been a long day and an even longer night.
And now my inner thighs were soaked. My pussy wept from going so long with no relief. All the while, Ocean had slept soundly in his big comfy bed. He’d woken ten minutes ago and disappeared inside the bathroom to shower.
Not for the first time, I wondered what Hunter was doing.
She was safe now.
It was all that mattered.
And now she knew I was safe too. In good—if not slightly tormenting—hands. I just prayed it would be enough for Hunter. That she wouldn’t try to find me again. Hunter was fearless and could take care of herself, but she couldn’t take on the Blood mafia alone.
I could do this.
I could marry Ocean and try to be happy, and then in five years, divorce him and try to move on with my life—with Hunter.
I didn’t realize the water had shut off until the bathroom door opened and steam poured out. Ocean waltzed into the bedroom with only a towel wrapped around his narrow waist. He was built like he’d been carved from marble. Water glistened on his dark-brown pecs and dripped between the ridges in his stomach as he moved into the walk-in closet. A few minutes later, he emerged dressed in black joggers with white stripes down the side that accentuated his muscular ass and legs, and a hooded pullover. Only his large feet remained bare.
I held his gaze as he crossed the room to tower over me. My stomach dipped with anticipation when he reached out and seized my chin and jaw between the V of his pointer and thumb.
“Are you sorry?”
No. I would do it all again for Hunter. My arms spasmed again—a reminder of the hours I’d spent with them trussed up like an ornament. “Yes.”
Ocean gave me a small smile at my blatant lie. His thumb swept my bottom lip affectionately before letting my face go. He then started on the knot binding me and worked it free. The rope fell away, and my weakened arms collapsed to my lap. I winced when my shoulders protested the movement.
“What do you say?” he prompted.
“Thank you for helping me see that I was bad,” I recited. We’d rehearsed it last night before he went to bed and left me here. Fucker.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
Ocean helped me stand, just as there was a knock on the door. He grabbed the blue throw from the foot of the bed and used it to cover my naked body. His room at Glamis was a lot like the one at Glainne—dark, masculine, cavernous, and opulent. The only real difference was the high ceiling with its exposed wooden beams.
Ocean went to open the door. It was Abel, but he spoke too low for me to catch more than bits and pieces.
“…got out.”
“Injured two of the men…”
“…back in the cabin.”
“Wants to talk to you…”
I could see the muscles in Ocean’s jaw tick as he listened. When Abel was done with his report, Ocean rolled those powerful shoulders like he had last night when I pushed him too far.