Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Like Ryker.
I take the sidewalk up to the front porch and see a white piece of paper tucked between my door and the frame.
I rip it open, remembering the last time I found a note on my porch.
I bought you a tire and changed it. You shouldn’t be driving on a spare. Call me in the morning, and I’ll take you to the Waverly to get it before class.
Ryker.
PS. Don’t worry about that agent dude. You got this.
My fingers trace the llama he drew at the bottom.
God. My heart dips. Ryker Voss is one complicated man. He did all this—yet he pushes me as far away from him as he can.
I go inside, and I’m a little giddy from not having the hassle of messing with my car. Part of it, too, is that I told Connor everything. Acceptance is a beautiful thing, and I want to revel in it.
“Pen! Shit!” Vampire Bill’s squawk makes me smile as I walk past him. I give him a cracker from the box next to his cage.
“Good boy!”
I grab my phone and a glass of prosecco then head to my bedroom, where I change into a camisole and a pair of lace shorts. After that, I get Vampire Bill situated on the desk in my room, tell him good night, and crawl into bed.
I’m right in the middle of reading when my phone pings and I dive on it, expecting Ryker.
It’s my dad. I quickly scan the messages he sent earlier that I didn’t see. I skim past them to read the most recent one.
When I didn’t hear from you, I called Walter. He gave me the rundown. I’m sorry things didn’t work out.
I sigh and respond. It’s okay. I appreciate the help. I didn’t expect you to do that. Thank you.
Good night, he sends, and I respond likewise.
On a whim, before I can change my mind, I type out, I’ll come over for lasagna soon.
I set my phone down, moving on and thinking about Ryker. My fingers pluck at the edges of my sheets.
Forget waiting until morning to talk to him.
I drain my drink and dig deep for the nerve to initiate a text. It’s easier than talking to him face to face anyway. Perhaps it’s because when we text, we don’t worry about the repercussions of our words. We just talk and there’s no pressure.
Thank you for everything, I send to Ryker. I owe you.
His reply is immediate.
You’re home?
Yeah.
Alone?
Of course, I reply.
Are you in bed?
Yes. My heart kicks up, and my chest rises.
Is your head against Edward’s face?
I laugh out loud and Vampire Bill glares at me. “What?” I say to him. “Ryker’s funny.”
The sparkly vampire is on my pillow, I reply.
So, if I shave my chest hair off and toss on some glitter lotion, you’ll be into me?
I burst out laughing. Maybe.
Done.
OMG. Stop teasing me. I’m giggling.
Who said I was teasing?
I smirk. Okay, so the next time we watch a movie, you get to pick.
I’ll pick the Avengers.
I can get down with Thor.
On second thought, I’ll go with Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
I sigh, a smile on my face.
I need to go, he types a few minutes later after we’ve been texting for a while and I’ve lost track of time. We make plans for him to pick me up at eight in the morning the next day to take me to get my car.
I wanted to say something first. My heart thunders as I nibble on the inside of my cheek. I told Connor the truth. He knows.
There’s a long pause, and I’m holding my breath as I wait for his reply. The tension builds inside me, and my mind races, trying to figure out what Ryker is thinking.
Smart move. You’re never going to be a pool shark. When’s your next date with him?
I smirk. Ryker has assumed Connor wouldn’t care that I lied. Men. There isn’t one.
Why? he sends back immediately.
I open my nightstand drawer that houses my collection of lip balm. I swipe on some mango and stare at my phone. God. What do I say? This feels like a significant moment.
I’ll have to tell you in person.
Tell me now, he sends.
I picture him in his bed sending the message, his face intense.
Why?
You know why, Red.
Even though he’s not here in the room, I sense the alpha male in him coming through the phone, the command in his tone. Heat pools in my lower body, and I squirm on the bed.
Several moments have gone by and I think maybe he’s done texting me—but then a new one comes through…and I die.
You were meant for me, he sends.
I can’t breathe. Looking down at his words, I read them over and over, my heart pounding.
Something has changed. I feel the shift in my heart, opening up.
I toss my phone across the room, and it scares Vampire Bill.