Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Garrett doesn’t respond right away. He just holds me, one hand smoothing over my back in slow, comforting motions. When I finally pull back, Garrett looks down. “You good now?”
“Yeah. Thank you. Really.”
Garrett gives me a lopsided smile. “How about I take you somewhere for some real coffee? The stuff in there might be hot, but it sure ain’t good.”
It sounds nice, but getting into a strange man’s car in the middle of nowhere? That’s not smart. He radiates a sense of trust, but I can’t be that spontaneous.
I open my mouth to decline, but before I can say anything, he adds, “I don’t have a car, though. It’s a semi-truck.”
“Oh, you’re a trucker?”
His smirk widens. “Yup. Big rig. The real deal. Ain’t no ordinary ride.”
I’m intrigued. I’ve never met anyone like him in my extremely small social circle. “Huh. So you drive across the entire country?”
Garrett shrugs and motions to an enormous, shiny blue truck. “Yeah, long-haul. Been driving for years.”
“I don’t know...” I trail off, feeling more unsure than ever. The idea of climbing into that big rig feels intimidating.
He raises an eyebrow. “Not feeling up for an adventure? How about you drive me in your fancy number over there.” Garrett nods towards my Porsche. “If you’re driving, you’re in control.”
I blink. “Me? Driving?”
“That’s right. You drive me to the nearest town, and I’ll still pay for your coffee and whatever else you want. And if I get on your nerves, you can just toss me out.”
I think about the lonely road ahead and tackling it painfully uncaffeinated and with an empty belly.
“Alright,” I finally say, “Let’s go.”
Garrett’s eyes flash with approval. “Good girl. Lead the way.”
CHAPTER 2
Garrett
Sienna.
I’m trying to play it cool and not stare a hole through her, but damn, she’s a sight for sore eyes. As soon as I laid eyes on her, it was like every bit of me was obsessed. A princess in a shimmering dress, standing in the middle of a rest stop, choking on burnt coffee. Her eyes, wide and lost, locked onto mine, and something shifted.
Try as I might to appear nonchalant, I’m watching her now, the way her fingers grip the steering wheel, the way her posture is a little too stiff, like she’s waiting for the world to drop out beneath her. She’s sweet and vulnerable but strong at the same time. We’ve spoken a handful of words to each other, but I’m good at reading people.
I glance at her again, the curve of her neck as she turns slightly to check the rearview mirror, the way her soft hair falls just past her shoulders, the bright streetlights bringing out the deep red in it. She’s a stunner—perfectly curvy, with emerald eyes that cut through me. What on earth is this princess hiding?
When I hugged her, I hadn’t expected it. I didn’t think she’d lean in, let me wrap her up like that. But when she did, when her body pressed against mine, I felt it like a current, a damn storm inside me. She felt so right against me, her heart beating fast like a cornered rabbit. Not just for her body, though I won’t lie, that part wasn’t easy to ignore.
Her reaction to me was immediate, like we were two magnets pulled together by something bigger than either of us could name. She broke in my arms, but I’d never been more sure I wanted to protect someone in my life.
I turn my attention towards the window now, forcing myself to breathe as she takes the next turn. I gave her directions, but with the diner being just over a mile away, she probably could have found it on her own. I try to focus on the road, but every time I look over at her, my chest tightens.
Sienna.
She’s mine, I know it deep in my bones. Now I just have to figure out how I’m going to keep her.
The diner comes into view. It's one of those old, 24-hour places, the neon sign buzzing in the humid night. We pull into the lot, Sienna’s Porsche looking ridiculous next to all the dusty pickups and sedans.
She looks at me, hesitant, like she’s deciding if she’s really going to do this. “I don’t belong here.”
“Listen, princess. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you can’t spend your time waiting to find the perfect place in the world. You’ve got to make that perfect place. You belong wherever the hell you want to.”
Sienna chews her bottom lip in thought. She’s still nervous, but I get it. She’s been through something, and it’s all written on her face. She’s guarding herself. And goddammit, I can’t let myself keep getting distracted by her pretty mouth, no matter how much I want to be the one nibbling on her lip instead.
Eventually, Sienna nods once. “Okay. I’m ready. Let’s go.”