Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Chapter 3
“Let me out of here!” Angel demanded, thumping her fists on the hard surface beside her. The barrier didn’t feel like the rough wooden door that had locked her inside. She opened her eyes to meet a mesmerizing green gaze, a few shades darker than her own. “Vex?”
“Hi, Little girl. Is that awful dream gone?” he asked, smoothing his hand over her shoulder.
That movement drew her attention to her bare skin. “Oh!” She yanked up the covers to her neck to hide her nudity.
“I have a shirt for you to put on. You crashed before I could get you dressed. Want that now?” he asked with no signs of annoyance or anger.
“I’m sorry. I just pounded on you.”
“Nicest beating I ever took,” Vex said easily, relieving some of her guilt. “Let’s get you dressed, and hopefully, you can eat something before you rest again.”
Her stomach growled furiously at the mention of food. “I’m starving.”
“Perfect.”
Vex tossed the covers off himself and stood to stroll over to the dresser. Angel pulled the material higher over her eyes when she noticed his naked butt. It was a nice one. She peeked over the comforter to take another glance. Hard muscles formed his powerful form. He wasn’t bulky like a bodybuilder. Those muscles came from hard work, and she bet, through sports activities.
That derrière was memorable, hard and tight. Vex was tanned except for a small area where he’d obviously worn shorts or swim trunks. When he picked up the T-shirt from the dresser, she covered her face again so he wouldn’t catch her ogling him as she continued to think about that memory burned into her mind. Could you bounce a quarter off that ass? They talked about that in spicy books.
Soft footsteps on the carpet approached. “Can you sit, Angel?”
Angel pushed herself up quickly and closed her eyes immediately as the room swam in front of her. Strong hands steadied her shoulders. When she dared to look again, Angel stared at his handsome face. “You have green eyes like me.”
“I do. Your eyes are prettier,” he complimented her. “And you’re a lot less hairy.”
She laughed as he stroked his thick beard. “Thank goodness.”
“Has the room stopped spinning?” he asked, with his eyebrows drawn together in concern.
“I think I sat up too fast.”
“Probably. Let’s put this T-shirt on you so you don’t get chilled.” Without making her uncomfortable at all, Vex somehow kept her balanced as he tugged the soft cotton over her head and helped thread her arms through the sleeves. She basked in his thoughtful attention after the brutish treatment from the Ravagers.
Vex supported her as she slid from the bed. When he smoothed the fabric down over her slender hips, his garment reached her mid-thigh. “Just like you’re wearing a dress. Let’s go get some food. The guys are grilling. I’ll run out and grab us something.”
“No” popped out of her mouth before she could stop it.
“No?” he repeated.
“Sorry.” Angel forced herself to explain. “I’m better with you around.”
“No need to be sorry. That’s probably the nicest compliment I’ve ever received.”
Distracted by her embarrassment, Angel asked, “Really?”
“Baby girl, my club name is Vex. I wasn’t named that for following rules and getting along with everyone.”
“I think you’re wonderful,” she blurted and then forced herself to ask. She’d rather know now. “Can I stay with you? For a little while?”
“I don’t plan to give you back to anyone.”
She blinked at him. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“I never say anything I don’t mean. Social politeness was never something I followed. Vex, remember?”
Angel didn’t know how to answer that and could only stare at the handsome man who held her. She’d never met anyone who disregarded the everyday rules of getting along with others. Before she could answer, the doorbell rang.
“My brothers are bringing us some food. Let me put on some pants, and we’ll go get the plates.”
Her face burned with embarrassment as she realized they’d stood inches apart and she had forgotten he was naked. She turned around. Immediately when he was out of sight, she shook uncontrollably with fear. She was alone again. Vex wrapped his hand around her bare forearm, and she jumped automatically. Her trembling stopped almost instantly.
He slid his hand down to hold hers and squeezed her fingers tightly. “I like that you feel safe with me, Little girl.” Without grumbling, Vex maintained their contact as he opened a drawer and grabbed a pair of gray sweatpants. He pulled them on one-handedly as she tried not to watch. His body was fine from the front as well.
“Come on, Angel. Let’s grab some food.”
Several minutes had passed since the doorbell had rung. Angel suspected that whoever was outside would have given up by the time they reached the door. To her surprise, a man stood on the porch with two covered plates in his hands.