Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
His eyes soften, just a touch. “What I did to you was wrong on so many levels. I was young, but more than that, I didn’t understand. Your world scared me, and I didn’t know how to handle it.”
Ignoring his speech, I cross my arms. “Yet here you are, standing in this neighborhood like you own the place.”
“Well, I guess you could say I took an interest in all of this after you left. I came back for you, Addison, but you were gone.”
That hits me like a knife to the heart, an unexpected reaction. I figured Billy was long gone, and I assumed he never looked back, but here he is, telling me he came back for me. That’s something I never thought I’d hear.
“Too little too late,” I say, my voice low.
“You look good. It would seem you saved yourself. I always knew you would.”
I snort. “Oh, is that why you left? Figured I had it in me to do it on my own? Yeah, thanks for that.”
His face tightens, pain mostly. “No, I left because I was weak. When I came back, and you were gone, it really hit me. So many women are struggling, and nobody is helping them. I should have done more; I should have taken you away. All I could think about was when you asked me if I ever spent a night on the streets. I did, you know. I spent an entire week on these streets, and when I was done, something inside me was forever changed. I knew I had to do something, so I come down here every so often and I help someone. I offer them a safe home, I help them get clean and get a job, then I set them up with a new life. So far, I’ve helped six women and they’re all still doing well.”
I’m shocked, a little proud, and a whole lot hurt.
Partly because I wish he had done that for me.
“You help them?” I manage, my voice tight.
“Yeah,” he answers, “it’s the least I can do. I know it doesn’t matter to you, Addison, but I am sorry. I’ll forever regret leaving you.”
The lump that forms in my throat is too much for me to handle.
I shouldn’t have come here.
I should have left this in the past, where it belongs.
The trauma is too strong.
“I have to go,” I say, pressing a hand to my chest as I turn.
“Addi,” Billy calls, as I race across the street.
I don’t look back.
I can’t.
This is part of my life that I closed the door on long ago.
It needs to stay shut.
2
Cade
Slowing my bike down, the loud rumble has her turning in my direction. Her eyes widen and her long hair flicks in the breeze as she takes me in. I’m wild, no, that’s not even fucking close to what I’m feeling. I’m so fucking angry I want to throw her over my knee and spank her until she’s begging me to stop. She thinks I don’t know what she’s doing, but I’m so fucking far ahead of her it’ll take her months to catch up.
She wants to find out about my past.
I will do whatever the fuck I can to stop her.
Flicking the engine off, I put my booted foot down onto the road hard, making the chains clank as I pin her with my glare. “Get on.”
Guilt rushes over her features before she replaces it with that same strong, sassy attitude I’ve come to love, and hate, depending on the day. Today, I’m in no mood for it, and she’s making damn sure to stir every wild feeling inside me. She looks like she’s been crying, or maybe yelling, it’s hard to tell if Addison is upset or angry. She does both with such intensity the ending is mostly always the same.
Her with a red face, bloodshot eyes, and a tight mouth.
“What the hell are you doing here, Cade? Following me?”
“That’s exactly what I’m fuckin’ doin’, now get on the bike because we’re going home.”
“I didn’t walk here,” she mutters, giving me a sarcastic flick of her head. “I drove.”
“And I don’t give a fuck. I have someone picking up your car. I don’t trust you and whatever the fuck it is you’re doin’, so, I’ll say it again. Get on the fuckin’ bike.”
“What I’m doing,” she tosses at me, “is visiting old friends.”
A slow grin spreads across my face as I throw my leg over the bike and get off, striding toward her with such determination she actually takes a step back. When I reach her, I lean down close, bringing my mouth close to hers as I growl, “Bullshit me once more, and I’ll put you over my knee.”
Biting her lip, she stares up at me with that fiery determination I have come to love so fucking much. My dick jumps, desperate for her. It has been weeks since she has let me inside her, and it’s driving me fucking wild. She’s angry at me for keeping my past from her, and she’s making sure I know about it.