Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Legend didn’t stop me climbing in. Through the steam, I watched him undress.
“What is it, Legend? Come to plan our next date?” I shot him a grim smile underneath the spray. “Or am I done proving that I’m worthy of you?”
“You’re done.”
I froze, not expecting that measured reply. “I see. Well then, you’re going the wrong way, aren’t you?” He slowly approached. “Go, Legend.”
He climbed into the tub.
“I said go!” The shout ripped out of me. “I am so sick of dancing on the end of everyone’s strings. You guys act like I betrayed you by holding onto my sister the only way my broken mind knew how, when it was everyone else who betrayed me!
“I’m done apologizing for being broken. For being lost, alone, and angry!” I shoved him. “If you can’t accept that I love you and all I’ll ever be is true to all of you in every way I know how, then fuck you! Let me go now.”
Legend weathered my berating without reaction. “Goodness, woman. Why are you yelling? I just told you you’re done proving yourself worthy... because you never needed to.”
My lips parted, but nothing came out.
Taking the tiny bottle from me, Legend poured the body wash on his palm and brought me toward him. My flesh rippled under his touch as he lathered me up.
“I’ve spent my whole life fighting for the wrong thing, Ivy. I lived in my own delusion—pretending that the Sisters were honorable, and every order I followed was to protect what’s ours.” His grip tightened on my hips. “This place was never ours, and they were never fucking honorable. Even though I didn’t know it, I helped them cheat and steal from you... and you don’t blame me, do you?”
It took me a minute, but as he rubbed soft circles on my back, I shook my head.
“I don’t understand why. I really don’t,” he said with a half-laugh. “When I found out you lied to me without knowing it, I acted like a complete shit bag. I blamed you. Said we were done. Made you jump through hoops to get me back. And all you did was forgive me.”
My pants picked up speed, heating my chest with the steam soaking into my warming cheeks. Legend never talked like this to me before. I didn’t know what to say, how to react, or know if I should do either, and risk him stopping.
“I’ve only done this once,” Legend whispered—rubbing kneading, soapy hands over the knots in my shoulder.
“Done what?” I asked, voice small. “Give a massage?”
“Fall in love with someone.” Legend drew me in, tracing my lips with his. “You’ll have to help me when I mess up. Tie my stubborn ass to the bed. Take me to see the mockingbirds. But if you still love me, Ivy, I want to prove I’m worthy of you.”
I crumbled—breaking into pieces that swirled down the drain, never to be seen again.
This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be happening. On the worst day of my life—the day I discovered why all the other horrible days happened—my vicious, paddling, closed-off Legend couldn’t be saying he loved me.
Grasping my chin between two fingers, the sweet smell of lavender and chamomile danced over us, sweetening his kiss.
I crumbled again, but this time into him—letting him hold me up under tangling tongues and fevered moans. No one kissed me like Legend St. James.
All of my guys were delicious and addictive in their own way, but Legend was wild and rough. He kissed me like he wanted the sensation to penetrate deeper than my lips. Spread through my whole body and put me under an intense high that I’d chase for the rest of my life.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I love your blow jobs.”
I burst into giggles, soaring on that high.
He lifted a shoulder, side-smirking. “You know, while we’re being honest. I have to admit I lied about you being crap at them. You’ve got the hottest, tastiest little mouth, and I’d love you for that alone.
“Good thing you’ve got a great ass too.”
I threw my head back, laughing louder and freer than I had... in years.
“Well,” I teased, smile playing at my lips. “It’s a good thing I’m willing to take you back, and let you prove how much you love me until time takes us, and after.”
“Let’s keep being honest.” Legend scraped my bottom lip between his teeth, making me squeal as he lifted and wrapped my legs around his waist. “I wasn’t really giving you a choice.”
I WOKE UP WITH MY GUYS finally where they belonged—sandwiched against me. Carefully, I untangled my legs from Legend’s and slipped out from Roan’s arm. I left my towel and clothes on the bathroom floor, and padded out naked into the kitchen.
“Oooh.” A glance in the fridge revealed someone went out and bought groceries. Necessary since we didn’t know how long it’d take to clear the guys’ names and end the police search. Jack said he would take care of it. I just had to hope no one would need more explanation after the broken and battered man told them Davidson lured him into a trap to take over as sheriff, and smooth the way for the violent pieces of garbage who needed a corrupt cop in their pocket.