Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“Are you all right?” he demands, coming closer when he notices Aspen’s tearstained face.
“Excuse me, but who the fuck are you?” I’m halfway to placing myself between them when Aspen places a hand on my chest.
“I’m fine, Teagan.” She looks up at me with an almost apologetic smile. “This is the friend I told you about. Teagan, this is my husband, Quinton.”
Now she’s the one who looks apologetic, taking the hand of who I suppose is her husband. “Sorry, I didn’t notice you looking so upset. Are you okay?”
I open my mouth, prepared to tell the woman to get lost, but Aspen is quicker. “I’m okay. Everything is fine. Really. But thank you for caring.”
“Come on, Mason.” Obviously, this guy doesn’t believe us, but his girlfriend is smart enough to pull him away before he makes a mistake and pushes any further.
I barely wait until they’re gone before taking Aspen’s face in my hands. “What do you need? What can I do?”
“I just want to go back up to the room and try to get my head together.”
“That’s fine. Let’s go.” I steer her toward the elevator, her head resting on my shoulder as we walk.
“I really will be fine. I’m not trying to ruin the day or anything.”
“I would rather you take a little time to relax and feel what you’re feeling than pretend to be fine for my sake.” Once we’re in the suite, I set our bags aside, then unzip her jacket. “Come on. Let’s sit by the fire to warm you up. Do you want me to order anything from downstairs? Something to eat or drink?”
“That’s sweet of you, but this is enough right now.” She sits on the sofa in front of the fireplace, and I join her, putting an arm around her shoulders while she tucks her feet under herself and snuggles against me.
Turning toward me, she says, “I really am sorry for running off like I did. Did anything else happen while I was gone?”
I can barely hold back a growl at the memory of being in that woman’s presence. “No, I left her standing there. There was nothing else to be said.”
“I know it shouldn’t matter. But I can’t help it.”
“You’re only human. You don’t have to apologize. And it was a big shock—even I was shocked when I saw her.”
Curiosity flickers in her eyes. “So you followed her to the store?”
“I had to see for myself. And once I did, I couldn’t help but go in and tell her off.”
She smiles. “You’re always trying to protect me.”
“There will never be a day when you have to worry about me not protecting you. The day I chose to marry you, hell, even before that, I protected you. It’s my job.”
“You’re the best husband ever, and I’m sorry for my crummy mood. I just wish I understood. Doesn’t it bother her at all? Does she have a conscience? How do you abandon somebody and never see or talk to them again?” She snorts softly. “It would have been easier if she looked miserable.”
A grin tugs at my lips. “I can make her miserable if you want.”
“No, you cannot!” she scolds before letting out a small laugh.
At least she’s chuckling, which is a good sign. I hold her tight as if I could somehow make up for the loss she’s feeling. “You are loved. So deeply and completely. Don’t ever forget that.”
“How could I? You remind me all the time, every day.”
“And I’m sure whatever happened had nothing to do with you. You got caught up in a bunch of shit you had no hand in. It’s unfair, and I wish there were some way to change it. But you are not to blame for any of it.” Now, looking back, it brings me nothing but pain to remember how I punished her for things that weren’t her fault. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make up for the pain I caused, and it won’t be enough.
“I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but it still hurts.” She buries her face in my neck. “Is that wrong?”
“Not at all.” I stroke her hair, then let my hand slide down the slope of her back. “You’re only human, too. You can’t turn your emotions on and off with the flip of a light switch.”
“You do.” Her voice cracks.
“Yeah, well, I’m a different story.” I’ve had years of practice, thanks to the family business. You don’t walk around with your heart on your sleeve when your father is the head of the Mafia.
“Hold me,” she whispers, almost climbing onto my lap. “I need to be close to you. I need you.”
“You’ve got me.” I pull back a little, tipping her chin upward so our mouths align. “That’s one thing you never have to wonder about.” I press my lips to hers, and in that kiss is all the love I carry deep inside, somewhere only she can reach. I hate seeing her in pain and hearing her doubt herself. Knowing how confused and betrayed she feels. I want to take it all away, to wipe the slate clean so she can have the joy she deserves. Right now, this will have to do. Kissing her deeply, I hear the way she sighs when my hands explore her more slowly, deliberately.