Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Rolling my lips together nervously, I sat back down beside Jasper and briefly closed my eyes when he laid his head against my shoulder. The heady scent of sandalwood and mint invaded my senses once more. But those notes were a balm to my soul, and I exhaled in defeat.
It was quiet in the barn, only the soft sighs of sleepy horses and crunching haylage to be heard. Until . . . “Thank you for finding me tonight, Angel,” Jasper said, drowsily. “I’m so bloody tired of being alone.” Not even understanding the context, just the tone of Jasper’s voice, was a stab to the heart.
“Always,” I said, and in minutes, I felt Jasper’s exhausted body slump harder next to mine and his breathing evened out into slow and steady breaths. I stared straight ahead, Lady Aurelia sleeping in my direct view. My heart was racing, and when I dared look down, it fired off into a fast sprint. My hand was still in his, and he had clutched it to his chest like he would never let go.
I turned, trying my hardest to dislodge myself from his side. But even in sleep, Jasper held on harder, and I had no choice but to stay still. Glancing down, Jasper’s face, only minutes ago pained and broken, was now serene and still. Taking a liberty, I ran my fingertips over his forehead, smoothing down the frown lines that broadcasted his pain.
I didn’t know what plagued him, but he clearly felt he was to blame for something and that he was failing someone—someone he clearly loved.
“What haunts you?” I let that question disperse above us into the dusty barn as Jasper fell deeper into sleep. And I kept watch. I didn’t know this man, but I would stay here for him tonight, allowing him to find some semblance of relief from whatever plagued him.
I blinked my eyes open, an unfamiliar barn coming into view. It took me several slow seconds to clear the fog from my brain and remember where I was. A low groan broke through my stupor, and I looked up to see Jasper Knighton asleep . . . and me draped over his body with my hand clasped in his.
Panic rushed through as potent as electricity, and as silently as I could, I rolled off Jasper, wincing as the morning winter sun flooded through the windows of the barn.
Shit, I thought, as I unthreaded my fingers from Jasper’s and he began to stir. Getting to my feet, I barely glanced back as I made a grab for my Stetson and fled for the exit. I had no idea what time it was, but I knew that I had fallen asleep on Jasper at some point last night, and it was only by the grace of God that I hadn’t been caught.
Lord! What would have happened if he’d awakened to find his newest rider sprawled all over him? I felt sick just imagining the embarrassment of that situation.
Opening the exit, I allowed myself one last look over my shoulder at Jasper. He was slumped against the wall, my robe still blanketing his body. I should have been panicking about leaving my coat, or any evidence that I’d been here, but I barely spared it a thought. All I could see was Jasper’s still outstretched arm, palm upturned as though searching for the hand that had kept his company all night long.
My heart lurched and I thrust myself into the crisp morning air. The cold wind whipped around me, but I ignored the biting chill and began to run from the barn toward the cottage I had been given. From the man who had cried on my shoulder. I ran from the man who had slept in my arms.
But most of all, I ran from the man who had called me beautiful.
The one who had called me Angel.
Chapter Four
Jasper
A relentless tapping hit my foot, causing me to crack my eyes open. I flinched the moment I did, the morning sun piercing me like a million needles into my brain. I groaned and clutched my head, but the tapping on my foot remained. I glanced up, only to see Forrest looking down at me. His arms were crossed over his chest, but his face . . .
Nope, I couldn’t cope with his sympathy or censure right now.
I tried to sit up, but there wasn’t a part of me that didn’t ache. I guessed sleeping on a concrete floor would do that. “Shit,” I said when I managed to shuffle myself into a sitting position. I leaned back against the wall and took a deep breath, fighting the nausea that was springing up within me.
I glanced up, only to see Forrest heading into the break room. The smell of coffee brewing immediately drifted into the main body of the barn. A snort and a breath of warm air came from above me. I lifted my hand and immediately found Henry’s velvety muzzle. I gritted my teeth against my raging hangover and looked up at him. All I could see were clouds of white air from where his warm breath hit the cold, and his teeth as he nibbled at my fingers, searching for treats.