Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Like a boss, Nico was there at Mace’s back, doing his best to block our view. “Go inside,” he commanded harshly.
“My cowboy,” I whispered into Mace’s ear. The tension in his body released, but his arms held me as Nico walked us carefully inside.
“Do you still want me?” Mace whispered, his extraordinary face lifted to mine. We stood inches apart. I breathed his puffs of breath.
“Always. How can you ask that question?” I replied. I released my grip, but Mace clutched me tighter. I managed to lift my palms to his cheeks, holding him in place as I said, “Do you want me? I’ve fucked up so much.”
One of Mace’s hands released me, drawing over my mouth to stop my words. “Of course, I do. Forever.” He removed his hand and we came together for a briefly passionate press of the lips. I circled my arms around him again for another embrace. I never wanted him to leave my side.
“You didn’t tell me,” I said to Nico from over Mace’s shoulder. I didn’t know if I was mad over the secret or if this was the perfect way for me to tell my guy how much he meant to me.
“It’s his grand gesture, not mine,” Nico stated as the front door snicked closed behind him and he flipped the deadbolt. “If you want to be mad, know that he planned to sneak here by himself. I barely caught him before accompanying him on his hero’s journey.”
Breezy came off the last step, giving a low hmm of appreciation. “I’m leaving, but I want to meet Mace.”
The way Mace’s head swiveled toward the new voice forced me to let go. She stuck out her hand as she came to him.
“This is Breezy,” I said.
Mace nodded and took her hand in his. He was clearly out of his element but trying very hard. “I’ve seen you in a lot of pictures with Slade.”
He caused me to burst with laughter. “Breezy has a popularity score of about a thousand. Everyone knows her except my cowboy who doesn’t watch TV or movies.”
Mace gaze flipped back to me. “She wasn’t in the pictures?”
“He doesn’t need to know who I am, but I’m happy to meet him,” she said. “I’m leaving the back way. Slade and I share a fence line. It’s the perfect secret way in and out should you need it.”
“I’ll walk her out,” Nico said, extending his hand for her to lead the way.
“I’m glad you’re here.” She was sweet, giving Mace a quick hug before leaving.
I barely waited for both of them to be out of earshot before I opened my mouth to speak, to give my apologies, and restate my devotion, but no words came.
“Can we talk somewhere private?” Mace asked.
“Come on,” I said, unwilling to move unless he was in my arms, walking beside me. I took him to the closest of the seven bedrooms in the house and shut the door behind us.
He stood at arm’s length. Literally, his hand came to my chest to keep me from pulling him into a full-body hug. He’d used that move a few times since I’d known him. It was one that told me he had something to say. I needed to let him have his say which allowed me to stare at the auburn hints in his hair and the beautiful blues of his eyes I’d missed so much. My hand circled his on its own accord. Now, I’d be fine with hearing almost anything he might have to say.
“I came because I was worried, but I can leave if you want. I’m not pushin’ you, only tryin’ my best to show you that I can be here for you, like you’ve always been there for me.” He said those words as if he were genuinely concerned that I might not want him there. I wanted him everywhere. I nodded for him to continue and he nodded back. “I was also concerned about the amount of vodka and carbs you were consuming.”
My giant grin was instant. Good place to land that joke.
“You know me well,” I said, taking half a step toward him. “I never wanted to hurt you and I did, and I’m sorry.”
Mace shook his head at me and pushed backward. I lost some of the ground I’d covered. “You didn’t hurt me. You’ve drilled into my brain how much you love me. The only thing that caused me pain was your hurt and your absence. You’ve always been the one to come to me. It was time I came to you.”
Yeah, that was too sweet of a gesture not to step completely into him.
Somehow, I resisted touching him. I understood these words needed to be said before I whisked him to my bedroom to relieve the sudden desire slamming through me.