Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Swallowing hard, hating to admit this to Calvin, I looked back at him just as we reached the patio doors.
“It’s fine,” I whispered. “I can watch it with him.”
Calvin’s frown deepened. Confusion was in his expression, as well as a touch of hurt. I hadn’t meant to hurt him. Or leave him out. But I wanted to be with Forge. My time was running out, and I wanted every moment I could get. But the fact Calvin would want to see the funeral too made me feel guilty. My parents had been a part of his life. He’d want to see the funeral. Have his closure or whatever it was he thought I was going to get from it.
Forge stopped and stepped back from the door, his gaze back on me. “You can go inside,” he said to Calvin. “I need to talk to Elsie.”
Calvin didn’t move, and I could feel his hesitancy.
“Go,” I told him. “It’s fine.”
He glanced from me to Forge, still seeming unsure, but with Forge standing there, in all his intimidating presence, Calvin did as he had been told.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Forge spoke. “Picnic?”
It was one word, but I understood the question.
“It wasn’t at the pond,” I replied.
Forge said nothing, reaching up to take off his sunglasses. His eyes met mine, and my knees went weak. Damn the effect this man had on me.
“Not eating, staying in your room.” He said the words slowly. “You ready to leave here, Pickles?” The way he asked it felt as if he was asking if I was ready to leave him, not here.
No. I wasn’t sure I was ever going to be ready to leave him. But the time was coming.
“I, uh … this wasn’t a permanent thing. I’m sure everyone is ready for the houseguest to move along.” I tried to lighten the mood, but my attempt fell flat.
Forge took a step in my direction, sliding his knuckle under my chin. I held my breath as he tilted my head so that I was looking up at him. The heat radiating off his body made me shiver.
“I’m sorry.” Those two words came out gruffly. “I was scared, hurting, fucking messed up the other night. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.”
Warmth rushed over me. “It’s okay,” I replied honestly. Because I understood.
“No. It’s not. You, of all people, didn’t deserve that.”
“I shouldn’t have come out there.”
“You came because you cared,” he said with a fierceness in his tone. “And the fact that I wanted you there also terrified me. I don’t need females, Pickles. But I find that I am needing you more and more, and I don’t know what to do with that.” He lifted his chin toward the door. “And he may be your best friend, but I don’t like him taking you off alone. Getting that close.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “But it’s just Calvin,” I whispered.
Forge tilted his head to the side and leaned closer to me. “Who you saved your virginity for, who you were secretly in love with.” He spoke in a low and purposeful tone. “You see why that might fuck with me? He’s threatening to take you away from me. Like he has the right.”
Whew. Okay. Breathe, Elsie. Breathe. Don’t take this the wrong way. He may not mean all this the way you think he does.
“He isn’t threatening anything,” I replied. “I—I mean, when it’s safe for me to leave. I don’t live here. He’s all I have left in this world—”
“No,” he growled through his teeth. “You have me. And I don’t think it’s safe for you to leave. Fuck what Oz says. You won’t be forced to stay inside these gates, but when you go places, I will be with you. I don’t trust the fucker who took your parents’ life, and I will be damned if he gets near you.”
He wanted me. Maybe not the way I wanted him, but he did feel something. Hope soared in my chest, and as scared as I was to allow it, I couldn’t stop it.
“But Oz didn’t say I could stay—”
“Elsie,” he said, cutting me off, “Oz isn’t my boss. He’s not anyone’s fucking boss. If you don’t want to stay here or if you feel unwelcomed, then we will go to my parents’. My mom would love to have you there. But you aren’t leaving me.”
Oh wow. I had not expected this.
“I don’t—I mean, when did you decide this?” I asked him, my voice just above a whisper.
The corner of his mouth quirked. “I don’t know. Maybe the first time I got a taste of your pussy, or, fuck, it might have been the moment I got a look at you. But I’m admitting it now.” He cut his eyes toward the house. “Fucker showed up and forced my hand.” He looked back at me. “I don’t have a name or label for this. I don’t make promises to females. I told you, relationships aren’t for me. That hasn’t changed. But I have to protect you.” He paused and inhaled deeply, causing his nostrils to flare. “And I can’t navigate things, what is to come, without you.”