Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
The gravity of his words hits me. How can this powerful, violent man speak so emotionally about his cousin? When Dutton suggested marriage tonight, I thought it was because of his father. But I realize now that he might’ve been serious and asked because he truly wants to be with me.
I want to cry all over again. Can I let myself be vulnerable enough to accept another man into my life, into Bentley’s life? But haven’t I already welcomed him into my home? Into my heart? I can’t use Bentley as an excuse anymore.
“Thank you for watching over us,” I say to Eli, who simply nods before pushing off the doorjamb and heading back to his car. I pick up the bat, mortified that they most likely saw all of that. I place the bat beside the door and inhale a shaky breath. Now that my violent, wild temper has calmed down, I prepare myself for an entirely different conversation.
It’s not Dutton’s fault Bobbi is in town. Whether it was now or in the future, he was always going to find us. It’s unfair to blame Dutton when I’ve always told him this was my battle to fight alone. But he wants to help me.
This is when the realization hits me that there’s more than just Bentley and me in our little bubble now. Maybe I don’t have to do this on my own after all.
CHAPTER 44
Posie
I’m making coffee because there’s no way either of us are going to sleep tonight.
“He’s asleep again,” Dutton says from behind me.
“Thank you.”
He’s cautious as he walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around me and just holding me. I sigh against him. I can’t even fight him anymore.
I don’t want to fight him anymore.
We remain there for a while, and I simply absorb his strength as he stands behind me like a pillar.
“Do you want me to stay?” he asks. And I know he’s asking whether I’ll let him stay in my home or if he’ll simply sleep in his car outside.
A part of me wants to tell him no, that I can do this myself. But when I turn to face him, I nod my head.
I don’t have anyone else, and Bobbi knows that. So he’ll use that against me now just as he did our whole relationship. Fucking asshole.
“I’m sorry for throwing a bat at your head,” I whisper as I wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you for coming. I know this isn’t a situation you would have picked.”
“Picked?” he asks. “What does that even mean?”
“Well, you’re a man of power; you can literally have any woman or anything in the world, and instead, you’re caught up in the mess that I’ve been lugging around for years.”
“I don’t want to be anywhere else but here, Posie. I would never hurt you. You know that, right?” I nod, and his gaze narrows on the mark across my cheek. He cups it, a wild storm brewing in his eyes, but he handles me gently. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here.”
“This was never your fight, Dutton,” I remind him because he’s taking it on like the world’s on his shoulders, and he’s failed.
“Your fight is my fight.” He licks his lips. “I didn’t explain myself well enough tonight at dinner.”
“You don’t have to, Dutton.”
“Stop trying to push me away.” He inhales deeply, then continues, “If you don’t want me after what I have to say, then…” His throat bobs. “Then we’ll work on it again tomorrow.”
“You don’t handle rejection well, do you?” I jest, trying to lighten the mood.
“You’re the one woman I can’t have reject me, Posie,” he says. “This isn’t just sex, and you and I both know that.”
The coffee machine stops brewing, but we ignore it, not breaking eye contact. The truth sits between us.
“I want to be here to protect you and Bentley,” he tells me.
“And what past that, Dutton? I should be focusing on whatever is happening with Bobbi right now instead of this.” I point between us.
“Stop deflecting. Because you know the two go hand in hand. I can make Bobbi disappear.”
I push away from him, not because I don’t want to be touching him but because I need space. My mind is a clusterfuck of emotions right now. “I don’t want to take away Bentley’s choice.”
“I might not be a parent, Posie, but I know your son wouldn’t want a relationship with a man who would hurt his mother. Sometimes, we have to make hard decisions.”
I look at him. “That’s not fair.” But I know he’s speaking the truth. I’ve been thinking about it for some time now. But Dutton makes me accountable for my actions. It makes the option of running away impossible. He deals with everything head-on. And although I usually do the same thing, when it comes to matters of the heart, I always flee instead.