Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
He steps away from the muzzle etched into his skin and then stumbles backward down the stairs.
I pound on the door. “Lea, open this fucking door right now.”
“Who’s there?” she stammers. I forget that she hasn’t heard my voice in six years. It’s deepened, gotten hoarse as my longing has grown.
“It’s Jake. Lea, open the fucking door before I break it down. You better be alone in that room, or I’m going to bury every fuck in there.”
“Jake?”
“I’m going to give you to the count of three.”
I hear the faint click of the cheap lock, and I nudge the door as she turns the knob. I slam the door shut behind me and flick the lock shut. My eyes scan the room for another man before I dare to look at the woman I’ve missed with all my heart and soul. Seeing she’s alone, I finally let my gaze rest on her. God, she’s more beautiful than I remember, and more spectacular than any picture can do justice.
“Lea,” I breathe out, cupping her face. God, it’s been so long. Not a day has gone by where she wasn’t in my thoughts. Although not where or how I envisioned our reunion, this moment has finally come.
She shoves my hand away and steps back, hurt registering across her soft, pink cheeks. “What are you doing here, Jacob?”
In all the years that we’ve known each other, she’s only called me that when she was mad at me. “Coming to bring you home?”
“Bring me home?” Her brows scrunch together. “How did you know I left?”
I close the distance, hating to be more than an inch away from her for even a second. We’ve spent way too much time apart, and I swear to never let that happen again. “I’m not talking about Chicago, and we’re going to talk about that bullshit too, but home with me where you fucking belong. Where you’ve always belonged.”
“Jake.” My name comes out in a whisper, breathy, letting me know I might not have to tie her up and drag her back home.
She closes her eyes as my hand comes up to caress her cheek. “I’ve missed you so much. I’ve done my best to get back to you.”
Her eyes whip open and her expression changes, hardens. She steps back with anger. “Oh, yeah? It really looks like it. Does Rachael get your best too?”
I want to shake her and tell her she’s crazy, but I knew the second those photos were taken what image they presented. Exhaling, I let it out. “Rachael’s about to get sued into the next millennium. I don’t have anything to do with that woman. You have been the only one for me from the day we met and will be until the end of my days, Lea. I swear that I’ve never touched anyone else.”
She crosses her arms, unfortunately drawing attention to her ample chest. A chest I haven’t been able to touch and have craved all these years. “I’m supposed to believe you.”
“Yes,” I answer, swallowing hard, sounding guilty.
“Well, I don’t.” Fuck. Her heart’s fucking cracked and that bitch caused it. I didn’t help either.
“We’re going to have to fix that because as far as I’m concerned, there is no me without you, Lea, so we’re leaving and going home.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Babe, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. I’ve waited six motherfucking years to see your beautiful face again. Six years to finally claim you as my wife and make everything whole again, and I didn’t come back to be told no. Come on, or I’ll throw your ass over my shoulder and carry you out. Your choice.”
“Why now?”
“What do you mean? This place is a shithole. I want to take you somewhere nice. We have a few hours left of your birthday.”
“No, I mean why did you wait for today? I’ve been legal for two years, and not a word from you. You’ve been an adult for four years, and nothing.”
“I had to prove that I deserved you, Lea.”
“You haven’t proved shit to me,” she hisses.
My temper heats up fast as does my desire. The need to show her my adoration is reaching a boiling point. “Keep it up, and I’ll forget that we’re in a shitty motel and I’ll make sure to claim you right fucking here.”
“You wouldn’t.” A smile stretches over my face.
“Don’t challenge me. I’m not used to losing. I’ve only lost once in my life, and I refuse to ever lose again.” I cup her face, sliding my hand into the hair at the back of her neck, gripping it hard and tilting her head up. “You’re fucking mine, Lea, and you will always be mine.”
“Liar.” I close my mouth down on hers, unwilling to listen to the denials and fear put into her head by her shitty, overprotective brothers.