Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
The chick was soused.
She stumbled a couple times, but to my amazement, she managed to make it without any major catastrophes. I stepped over and guarded the door, making sure no one disturbed her while she was inside. I waited, and I waited. And I waited some more. It was clear something was up, so I eased the door open and asked, “Everything alright in here?”
I got no answer.
Just silence.
I eased the door open a little further, and that’s when I spotted a set of feet beneath the stall. They were curled to the side like she was leaning over, so I walked over and tapped on the door. It crept open, and my fears were confirmed when I found Londyn passed out with her head propped against the wall.
“Dammit, woman,” I hissed. “What the hell were you thinking?”
I stepped over to her and lifted her into my arms, and I was hit with the familiar scent of her perfume. Damn. She was killing me.
I carried her out of the bathroom and started walking towards the back exit. I hadn’t gotten far when I came up on one of the waitresses. I stopped and told her, “She was with the big group up front. Make sure they knew she got a ride home.”
“Will do.”
I continued towards the back door and carefully carried Londyn out to my truck.
I was buckling her seatbelt when she suddenly started to stir and mumbled, "Malcomb."
“I got ya. Just hang tight."
She sank back in her seat and immediately passed back out. Fuck. Seeing her so fucking vulnerable both gutted me and pissed me off. I got in next to her and leaned over to her as I whispered, “You got any idea what it’s doing to me to see you like this? Fuck, Londyn. You’re too smart for this shit.”
I let out a grumbled breath, then started the truck and pulled out of the parking lot. As I drove, I kept glancing over at her, making sure that she was okay, and I had to fight the urge to touch her, to pull her into my arms and tell her that I should’ve never broken things off with her. I wanted to tell her that I still wanted her.
Unfortunately, she was too far gone to hear anything I had to say, so I kept my mouth shut. By the time we got out to her folks’ place, it was well after midnight, and everyone had gone to bed. I didn’t want to wake them, so I got out and started hunting the spare key. Her mother was notorious for locking herself out of the house and kept an extra key hidden in a stowaway rock.
It took me a minute, but I managed to find it and opened the back door. I went back to the truck and retrieved Londyn, and just like earlier, she was out cold. I lifted her into my arms and carried her up the front steps. As I entered the darkened house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of Deja vu. I’d been in this house many times, but back then, I was a guest and welcomed there. Now, I was breaking and entering with their passed-out daughter in my arms.
I continued down the hallway, trying to remember which room was hers, when her head fell to my shoulder, and a light sigh escaped her lips.
Damn.
She was so fucking beautiful.
She didn’t make it easy, but I got her to her room and into her bed. As I pulled the covers over her, she muttered, “Malcomb.”
Hearing her say my name again tugged at me, making it that much harder to leave her. I shook my head as I muttered, “It shouldn’t be this damn hard.”
I watched her for a moment longer, and once I knew she was good and settled, I forced myself to head back out to my truck. I sat there for a minute, letting the memories and mixed emotions settle a bit before I backed out of the drive and started home.
I turned on some music and tried my best to clear my head.
The drive to the house helped, but my head was still spinning after my encounter with Londyn. Desperate for a reprieve, I went inside and grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet, then headed straight for the bathroom. I turned on the hot water, then opened the bottle and tilted it back, taking a long pull. I welcomed the burn as it slid down my throat. I placed the bottle on the counter, then undressed and got in the shower.
The hot water cascading down my tense muscles felt good. I scrubbed my body until I was just about raw, but it didn't help clear my head. I lifted my face and let the water fall into my mouth, the taste of whiskey on my tongue. I closed my eyes and pictured Londyn's beautiful face in my mind, her soft, full lips, her velvet skin. She was absolutely stunning.