Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 134741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
If he even has the awareness to retrace his steps.
I’d given him till morning.
I didn’t want to involve the police or search parties until I was absolutely sure he couldn’t find his way back to me.
But...that time was quickly drawing to a close.
Please, Kas...where are you?
Pressing my hands into my lower back, I stretched and dropped my eyes from the sunrise.
My heart stopped.
I blinked.
And then, I was running.
Barefoot and bedraggled in my silver-lavender dress, I sprinted across the parking lot to the edge where concrete met tree line.
“Kas!”
He held up his hand, stopping my speed as he clicked his fingers and a dirty, dangerous-looking mutt appeared from the trees. He studied my face as the dog went directly to Kas’s heel, sat like a military guard, and glowered at me with its teeth bared.
I slammed to a stop.
Kas came toward me, his shirt covered in green stains, his trousers shorter on one leg than the other. I frowned, glancing at his outstretched arms and the piece of pant leg wrapped around his forearm, glistening darkly with blood.
“Oh, my God. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” He gathered me in his arms. He smelled sour and earthy, dirty, and exhausted, but I buried my face in his neck and clung to him.
“I’m so unbelievably sorry, Gemma.”
Tears dripped down my cheeks, soaking into his skin. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
God, it felt good to be back in his arms. To finally breathe again. To know he was safe.
I crushed him extra hard with thankfulness.
“I didn’t mean to be so long.” He hugged me back, his arms so strong and his pressure so powerful my bones protested. “I’m so sorry for making you worry.”
Pulling back, I shook my head, sniffing up my relief. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have taken you to the gala. It was too much, too soon.”
He placed me back on my feet, holding my hands. “No. It was exactly what I needed.”
“But you...you ran.”
“I did.”
“You stayed away all night.”
“Yes.”
I wrinkled my nose at his filthy tux, red-rimmed eyes, and messy hair. He looked as if he’d gone to war, attended a funeral, and fought a dragon all in the space of one night.
His tatty tux and dirty feet reminded me of his outfit back in the valley. A threadbare prince living in a forgotten mansion. My stomach clenched at how handsome he was, even in such a state.
A state that sent my insides winging all while worry sat heavily.
What happened to him?
Trying my best to bring humor into this strange reunion, I fingered his filthy shirt. “You left dressed immaculately, and you’ve returned...in a destroyed rental.” I smiled. “Whatever are we going to tell the rental company?”
He winced. “Ah shit, I didn’t think. I’ll pay you back. Just like I’ll pay you back for everything.”
I squeezed his fingers. “I don’t care about the tux, Kas. You’ve never looked more handsome to me.”
He blushed in the dawn. “Then I might not be the only one with a few screws loose if you prefer me covered in mud and half-naked than washed and dressed in finery.
“I find you delicious no matter what state of dress you’re in.”
His eyes flared with heat, dragging down my body. “Same.” His throat worked as he swallowed. “Who’s jacket are you wearing?” His nostrils flared as if he could catch the scent of the male who’d given it to me, fitting perfectly with the whole image of a wildling stepping from the forest—a creature with possessive tendencies.
I shrugged out of the blazer immediately, leaving it on the ground.
I’d buy Tony a new one someday. “No one’s.”
Kas unbuttoned his green-stained shirt, shrugged out of it, and waited until I put my arms through each sleeve. His indescribable masculine scent wrapped around me, making me warmer than anything.
“There...now you’re mine again.” He kissed my cheek.
I shivered as he hugged me. “That will never happen again, just so you know,” he murmured. “I won’t leave you. I give you my word.”
Untangling from his arms, I cupped his face. “It might happen again. You can’t say conclusively that it won’t. And...that’s okay. I’m here for it all, Kas. Evey milestone and set-back. Just trust me and we’ll get through this.”
“I love you.” His lips landed on mine as he swooped me off the ground and hugged me close. “And I do trust you. With everything that I am.” His tongue slipped into my mouth, activating a ball of need in my belly.
I kissed him back.
We kissed each other beneath the dawn-shadows of trees all while guests at the local hotel started waking up.
Finally, Kas put me back on my feet.
I grabbed his arm as he dropped them to his sides, stroking my fingers over the bloody bandage he’d made from his pant leg. “What happened?”
As if the dog had been waiting for that question, it stepped forward and sniffed my dress.