Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
“You promised me a party,” I reminded him gently. “I made it a whole week without running away from you. Don’t let me lose you now.”
Everything slowed, even my heartbeat, as we all waited to see which would win Rowdy over—his need for violence or…me.
I could feel the deadly intent thickening the air in the room. Joren, Roc, and Golden were willing to die for their brother just as Ruen and her crew were willing to die for theirs.
And then it happened.
The desperate sound of air being pulled into Ky’s lungs as Rowdy released him and took a reluctant step back.
Me? I did the opposite. I released the breath I’d been holding, only to have it stolen again when Rowdy whirled around, grabbed a fist full of my faux locs in a punishing grip and kissed me.
For the first time.
In front of prying eyes and enemies.
His lips were hungry and demanding as they forced mine open, not waiting for my consent or the implication of what was happening between us to sink in.
The first stroke of his tongue against mine had me fisting his shirt in my hands to keep from melting into a puddle. I didn’t care that we weren’t alone or had been so close to death. He tasted too good. He felt too right. I never wanted our connection to end, and I wasn’t just talking about the kiss. Rowdy already had a hold on me that should have scared me but didn’t. Instead, I finally felt like I was where I was always meant to be.
His kiss made me more and more certain with each press of his lips.
Rowdy was never going to let me go.
And I didn’t want him to.
I was ninety-nine percent certain that if I disappeared tomorrow, he’d hunt me down. The question was, could I walk away?
I was too caught up in that world-altering revelation to notice him leading me past reception, the waiting room, and the snack bar. A few more steps, and I was vaguely aware of him fumbling for something behind me.
I heard a knob turn, followed by a door pushing open, and then Rowdy finally broke the kiss by shoving me backward into darkness. I was only allowed a second of clarity before he stepped inside the storage closet with me and slowly closed the door behind him.
I backed away, suddenly realizing I was trapped.
Trapped in a cage with a very hungry lion.
“Rowdy, wait,” she whispered, but my hand around her delicate throat cut her off.
“No.” I found her mouth in the dark again and slipped my tongue inside. One hit of her, and I was already addicted. Atlas must have felt the same because it wasn’t long before she kissed me back. “Say my name,” I demanded against her lips. “I want to fucking hear it.”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Owen.”
I pressed her into the stocked shelves and shoved my hands underneath her uniform shirt to feel the warmth of her skin. This girl made me feel so fucking alive—so goddamn mortal after being only seconds away from death. The only reason I was still breathing was because Atlas had glimpsed something in me worth saving.
A shuddered breath left me at the thought.
Atlas had risked herself for me, and though I wanted to worship at her feet for riding for me, I didn’t like that shit one bit.
She couldn’t see me in the dark, but I’d make her fucking feel me.
“Don’t ever do that again, Atlas.”
“Do what?”
“Put yourself between me and a bullet.”
She was silent, and I knew what her stubborn ass would say before she even spoke. “What else was I supposed to do?”
“Keep yourself safe, and let me answer for my bullshit.”
“No.” I couldn’t see her, but I could picture the stubborn pout on her pretty face clear as day. “If you don’t want me to follow you into fire, then don’t run into fire.”
I was lowering my head to kiss her again when her words penetrated. Reaching up, I yanked the cord hanging from the ceiling, making light flood the closet and startling her when she saw my scowl. “Your fraud-ass stole that from Frozen!”
“What? No, I didn’t.” Now that the closet was lit, I could see Atlas shaking her head in denial while looking guilty as fuck. When I just stared at her, she shifted on her feet, sighed, and then rolled her eyes. “How do you even know that?”
“Roc has a four-year-old daughter. She makes me watch that damn movie every time I chill at his spot.”
“Oh.” Atlas snickered before chewing on her lip and trying her best to look sincere. “Well, you should know I really mean it.”
“Shut yo’ fake ass up.” I punctuated my order by kissing her again until my dick was hard as a brick. “I want to eat your pussy so bad,” I admitted hoarsely. The sound she released had me ready to fall to my knees and do just that.