Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“Couldn’t keep me out if you tried.”
My muscles immediately relax. I’m not sure why. It’s not as if I expected him to say no, I just…need to be close to him. Need to feel him. There’s this pull inside of me to Rian that I’ve never been able to describe, and all it does is get stronger and stronger.
He removes his own clothes before the two of us climb into the tub. He sits behind me, with me between his legs, my back against his chest. The press of the cross necklace he always wears and the dusting of chest hair feel just right against my skin, and all I want to do is burrow in deeper, get as close to him as I can.
He reaches around me, runs one hand up and down my torso, the other cupping my pec, playing with my nipple.
“How did you find me?”
“I put a tracking device in your watch,” Rian admits.
My whole body stiffens. “That’s why you gave me the watch?”
“No. I gave it to you because I wanted to buy you something, but yes, I did also have ulterior motives. I put it in without telling you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
No, no, he shouldn’t have, but…why is there a part of me that likes it? How can I know it’s obsessive, know that he should have told me, and that many people would run because of something like this, but like being wanted this badly by him? I want to be loved by Rian in every shade that he loves, because they’re all beautiful. “I’m yours,” I say. “In every way. I want to feel your love every way you give it to me.”
He growls deeply in response, burying his face in the side of my neck, his facial hair scratchy and welcome. “Don’t tell me that. I’ll never let you out of my sight.”
“You’ll have to for some things,” I say. His body goes rigid beneath me. “I’ll be fine, Rian.”
“How do I know that?”
“How do I know you will be?” I counter, and he doesn’t have an argument for that.
“Okay.” He kisses me. “I trust you…and I might stalk you.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I’ll also expect you to have a driver, at least until this is all figured out…and a bulletproof car and—”
“Shh. That’s enough. I don’t want to talk about that right now,” I say, then fall into silence.
“Do you want to talk about your dad?” He wraps his arms around me.
Maybe I should want that, but I don’t. Maybe I’ll want to later, but I don’t think that will be the case either. There’s a part of me that wants to know why, but unless we have that answer, there’s nothing else that’s important to me. Not anymore. “When I came home…from the cabin, he called within twenty-four hours. I should have realized something was up. He didn’t notice the whole time I was gone, but called as soon as I returned. It never made sense. I just thought…” Maybe part of me wanted to believe he just missed me. “No. There’s nothing to say.”
“Abbott…”
“I’m okay. I promise. I’ve always known he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. I have you now. A new family.”
“You do. And you will always be mine.”
“Why do you think he didn’t try to kill me again when I got home?”
“I don’t know, pretty thing. Maybe because they saw me coming around and wanted to see what was happening, maybe they had a plan we don’t know about yet. I wish I had answers for you.” Something in his voice sounds off…almost pained. Dread builds in my gut as I wait for Rian to continue, because I know he will. “I have to tell you something… It’s not easy, and it’s going to hurt…but I think you need to know.”
“Can you wait? Until we’re in bed? I just want to enjoy this for a few more minutes first.”
“Yes. Of course. Anything you want.”
I relax against him again, feeling at home against Rian’s broad chest. He holds me, touches me, kisses me, washes me. He is always so gentle with me, even though I know the things he’s done to others. He would never hurt me, and just like last night, he will always be there to protect me.
Eventually, the water gets cold, and we get out. Rian dries me off, and just like earlier, I let him take care of me. I savor what it feels like to be so important to someone.
We don’t bother getting dressed, and before I know it, we’re in bed, under the blankets, and I ask, “You don’t need to work?”
“I’m not leaving this bed with you all day.”
I smile, thankful he’s not going to torture someone yet. “I like the sound of that.” Then I let him pull me close and add, “Now, tell me.”