Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“Good.” I glanced up at the clock, and when I saw the time, I told him, “You better go pack a bag. Dagger will be here in a few minutes.”
The words had barely left my mouth before he’d bolted out of the room and down the hall. I heard Sutton come into the house, but I didn’t go to him. I wanted Toby’s excursion with Garrison to be a surprise, so I just stayed put and waited as he headed to the back for his shower.
It wasn’t long before Dagger pulled into the drive. I didn’t have to bother calling for Toby. I’d barely gotten up, and he was already racing down the hall and toward the front door. “Hey! Hold up there, mister!”
He stopped, then whipped around and said, “But they’re here.”
“I know. I’m coming!”
I hurried into the kitchen and found Toby standing at the back door. He’d changed into a fresh pair of jeans and put on a clean T-shirt, and he was wearing a baseball cap. “You all set?”
“Yes ma’am.” He lifted his backpack. “I even got my toothbrush.”
“Good deal.”
I leaned down and kissed him on the forehead, and then we headed outside to meet Dagger. He was one of the older brothers. He had a long, thick, white beard with salt and pepper hair. His face was weathered, and his ink was fading. But it was in a good way. It made him seem more mature and wiser, and the kindness in his eyes made him seem paternal and protective.
But don’t get me wrong. I had no doubt that he could be just as fierce and intimidating as the younger boys.
Toby looked like he was about to burst at the seams as he jumped in the back seat of his truck. Dagger leaned in and made sure the boys were buckled up, and then he got inside with them. “I’ll bring him back in the morning. Nine good with you?”
“Nine would be perfect. Thanks, Dagger.”
“No problem.” He glanced back at Sutton’s house and smiled. “You two have a good night.”
“We’re gonna try.”
He started backing out of the driveway, and I gave them all a big wave as they turned and started down the road. Once they were out of sight, I rushed back inside and went to my room to freshen up a bit. I fixed my hair and touched up my makeup. I even changed into something a little more appealing. I was checking myself out in the mirror when I heard Sutton’s shower cut off. I rushed into the kitchen and made myself a drink, then slipped into the living room and claimed my spot on the couch.
I couldn't stop fidgeting.
My hands kept tugging at the hem of my shirt, and my stomach was churning like a teenager going on her first date. I was nervous, but I also felt this overwhelming sense of anticipation. I’d seen it in the way he looked at me, especially when I was wearing that T-shirt. There was no doubt that he liked what he saw.
And then, there was that kiss and the way he touched me—so gentle and tender like I really mattered to him. Tonight was my chance to finally see where this could go, and despite the nerves, I was ready for it. Ready to take that step and see what was waiting on the other side.
I was pretending to read a magazine when Sutton walked in wearing a fresh T-shirt and a clean pair of jeans. Water dripped from the ends of his tousled, damp hair, and I wanted nothing more than to run my fingers through it. He looked around the kitchen, and when he saw that we were alone, he asked, “Where’s Toby?”
“He’s gone.”
“Gone?”
“Dagger came and picked him up. He’s going to stay with them tonight.”
“Is that right?”
“Um-hmm.”
“And when did that come about?”
“Earlier today, when Dagger stopped by to see Zeke.” I shrugged. “We got to talking about the boys and one thing led to another.”
“You didn’t think to mention it?”
“You were busy, and I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Is that right?”
“Well, I might’ve had another motive.”
“And what’s that?”
“I wanted to spend some time alone with you.”
As I looked at him, I thought about all the times when I wanted him to touch me, kiss me, and I was tired of waiting for the perfect moment. There was just one problem. Sutton wasn’t going to make a move until he knew I was truly ready to take that next step.
It was time for me to let him know just how ready I really was. There was just one problem. I would have to make the first move, and that was something I’d never done before. It terrified me, but seeing how incredibly hot he looked and feeling that need building in the pit of my stomach made it a little easier to take the risk.