Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
I can’t. I don’t. And coming inside her mouth, watching her throat work as she swallows me down, is enough to seal the deal.
I’m hers.
Completely bewitched.
With zero interest in undoing the spell.
Chapter Twenty
CLOVER
Iflip listlessly through the channels, looking for something to keep my mind off the pain until I can take another dose of ibuprofen in an hour.
Hopefully, Cristina will be back from grabbing ice cream soon, and we can start the movie. Movies are much better at keeping me distracted than television.
Even if she is making me watch The Princess Diaries, while wearing matching tiaras…
I reach up, wincing as I adjust my crown.
The tiara is ridiculous and heavy, and the pins are scratching into my scalp, but Cristina was so excited about “Princess Night” that I’m determined to leave it on. At least until we start the movie. She thinks sparkle will heal and lift our sagging spirits.
I think I’d rather be put in a medically-induced coma than suffer through five more weeks in two casts while needing help on and off the toilet, which tells you everything you need to know about where I am right now.
Blue, Beatrice, and my other friends have been so great about stepping in to help me out, but I’m still…miserable. My leg hurts, and my arm hurts, and my jaw hurts, even though I didn’t even injure my jaw. But apparently, pain makes me clench my teeth in my sleep, so now that hurts, too.
At least the scar on my cheek is healing nicely. I might not spend the rest of my life looking like I ended up on the wrong end of a shiv in the prison yard.
Might not…
Rage simmers inside my chest like a bad case of heartburn.
They still haven’t found the guy who did this. They found the truck abandoned a few miles from the scene of the accident, but it had been stolen two weeks before. So far, the police have no idea who stole it, why he was driving the wrong way on the highway, or where he is now.
If nothing changes, this fucker might get away scot-free.
Logically, I know having the man who broke me behind bars won’t make me heal any faster. Illogically, I firmly believe that if I were allowed to stab him with Voodoo pins until he begged for forgiveness, I would feel a whole lot better.
I have become stabby.
I was never stabby before.
Another thing to be angry about.
Very, very angry…
From his spot by the door, Barnaby the golden retriever whimpers, as if he can sense my simmering rage, and isn’t a fan.
“Don’t worry, buddy, I’m not going to do anything crazy.” I sigh as I resume clicking through the channels. “I couldn’t. Even if I wanted to.”
Barnaby resumes his fretful pacing, panting a little too hard for a young dog. He’s been upset since Cristina left to grab treats at the market down the street. She warned he might be. He’s been sad ever since her husband, Marco, shipped out on his latest deployment.
Barnaby’s a daddy’s boy. He’s also poorly behaved in public, however, and can’t be trusted not to jump on children or steal baguettes out of the hands of old ladies, so he’s stuck here with me, and clearly not happy about it.
“Sorry, big guy,” I say, wishing I could crouch down to soothe him with neck scratches, but I can’t. So, I have to resort to wheedling in my best “be a good boy” voice, “Are you sure you don’t want to come over here and chill? You can sit on the couch by my wheelchair, and I’ll scratch your ears really good, I promise.”
Barnaby shoots me a tragic, betrayed look that makes it clear we won’t be cuddling up anytime soon. I’m considering wheeling into the kitchen to get some dog treats from the counter when my phone buzzes.
I glance at the side table, pulse speeding as I see Bea’s name on the screen.
I really hope she isn’t mad.
But hell, the yearning in that house was getting unbearable, especially when there’s no reason for the two of them not to kiss and make up and live happily ever after. Or at least have some excellent sex before they’re too busy with a newborn for extracurricular bedroom activities.
I pick up my phone, tension easing as I read—Thank you, sweet friend. Your plan was brilliant and generous, but turns out we didn’t need the push. We came to our senses over dinner tonight, and this sexy new boyfriend of mine will be sleeping in my room from now on. So, if you want to come home sooner, please feel free. Blue said he could come pick you up after practice tomorrow if you want. Just let us know, okay? Love you!
I grin, so happy that I almost forget that I’m the most tragic woman in Tragic Town as I dictate my congratulations—Yay! Yay! And more yay! Seriously, I’m so happy for you guys. This is fantastic news. You really are perfect for each other. And thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll stay here and spare my ears for a little while. Just keep it down enough that the neighbors don’t call the cops, okay? Love you both, and I’ll touch base soon.