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)
“You’re mad,” he said half-accusingly. As if he were in control of that feel as well.
“Really angry.” I left him there, marching toward the bathroom inside Mace’s home.
=♥=
Mace
The beautiful, sated feelings vanished as Slade stormed from the barn. My overexerted body protested as I rose to my feet. I was slower to reenter the house with the rest of his clothing in tow. The bathroom door was shut in such a way that I knew I was to stay on the other side. I left his clothing on my bed, his fancy shoes on the floor beside them, and finished dressing, going to the kitchen island to put space between me and Slade’s things.
Our first argument. What did it say that I didn’t believe this hard-edged, angry guy was really part of Slade. He’d said it was inside him many times, but I didn’t believe it, not with how he clamored to cater to my every need. I was clearly wrong in what I said and manned up when the bathroom door opened. Slade came out, towel wrapped around his waist. He was wet, and hot as shit. Too bad I needed to keep my distance.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. He gave no response but to drop the towel to the floor and sit on the edge of my mattress, nude. It took a minute more for his gaze to level on me.
“From the first second I saw you, I became open to whatever happens between us.”
“I can see where that’s true,” I said, still glued to where I stood many feet from him.
“Then with such a clear vision, why in the world would you think I’m lost to all the great sex we’re having?”
That was a landmine kind of a question.
“What do I do to make this go away? Do I leave to give you space?” I asked.
Slade’s body tightened, his jaw clenched, his gaze turned into laser beams. “This is your house.”
I stayed silent about the many miles I’d walked through this countryside over my life.
“I don’t want to leave here without you. Our sex is just a beautiful benefit to knowing you. You’re attractive as hell and great company. It’s extraordinary. I never believed this was possible.”
“Then I’m sorry,” I said automatically, but I was lost to what he was explaining. I finally took a couple of steps closer to him. “So where are we?”
Slade rolled his shoulders, his head following the direction, fighting off the tension, almost tangible enough to be cut with a knife.
“I don’t know but I don’t see the ending I once did. Off the top of my head, I want to help with your animal refuge. I have enough contacts to get the concept off the ground and figure out the financials. And I love you. I want us to figure out the future together.” He flipped out a hand, using it to help explain his confession.
No matter how soberly he dropped the words, I felt the worry of his admission. It helped me to keep my calm, roll with the hysteria surging through me at his words.
Slade dragged a hand through his hair, shaking his head while his riveting stare never wavered.
“What can I do to make this better?”
“You’ve made it better by not running.” His small smile didn’t reach his eyes, but it did lessen the tension surrounding us. “Have I freaked you out?”
“I…” The lump remained in my throat. “I’m not a…” How did I explain that I probably felt the same way. That it didn’t make me uncertain to consider and I’d find a way to keep going after he left. I might have some joy from the idea of starting a business with him. I liked my dreams coming true with him by my side. “Wildflower, a sanctuary animal refuge. Her picture’s in the logo.”
Slade’s smile turned real for the first time since he’d left the barn. “I like it. It’s an industry I know nothing about. How many acres do you have here?”
“Ten. It’s not large enough to handle a lot of animals but the pasture’s pretty high quality, and we can rotate the land. I could have five or six large animals on what I have,” I explained, happier with this side of the conversation. “I figured I’d try to lease some land attached to me. The person who owns the property to my west might be my best bet.”
“Who owns the property?” Slade asked. I could practically see the wheels turning in that beautiful brain of his.
“You might know him. He’s an actor…”
“You share a property with me?” he asked, rearing back.
“Yeah. You own a lot of land. That’s why it took so long to get here,” I explained, tucking my hands inside my pockets.
“This is getting better and better. We could stay here or at my place, use all the land. It’s not doing anything else,” he said, and started for his clothes. “Are you good with me getting my people involved? We’ll have contracts and a business plan that’s designed to protect you.”