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)
“I’ll tell you what,” I continue. “We ditch the car at the rest stop, parked way in the back where no one will notice it. It’s too flashy to be left in the main parking area. Then you’ll come with me. There’s no way for them to know that you’re traveling with me, so it will give you time to get well away.”
Sienna doesn’t say anything for a moment, but I can tell she’s running through every possible scenario in her head. I can almost see the gears turning in her mind, trying to figure out what her next move should be.
But I can’t wait. “Look, I know it sounds crazy,” I add, letting a little edge slip into my voice. “But it’s no crazier than running away from your own engagement party without even a change of clothes.”
She lets out a soft, bitter laugh, the kind that says she knows I’m right, but she’s still struggling to admit it. “I’m not sure this is a good idea. But I—”
“It’s the only choice you’ve got right now, Sienna. And it’s the safest one.”
She breathes out slowly, the tension in her back loosening just a little. She’s made up her mind. “Okay. Let’s do it. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
CHAPTER 3
Sienna
Standing in front of my car feels like saying goodbye to a part of myself, even though I’ve never been particularly attached to it.
“Ready?”
I glance over my shoulder. Garrett is standing a few feet away, his truck towering behind him. The rig is massive, shining faintly under the overhead lights.
“Yeah,” I lie.
He opens the door and gestures for me to climb up. “Go on. I’ll grab you something to change into.”
I hesitate for just a second before grabbing the handle and hoisting myself up. The interior of the cab is surprisingly clean and organized. The seats are upholstered in soft gray leather, and the dashboard is packed with switches and screens I can’t begin to understand.
A moment later, Garrett hands me a folded stack of clothes—a pair of gray sweatpants and a black t-shirt. “They’ll be big, but they’ll be more comfortable than that dress. We’ll get you some real clothes in the morning. There’s a curtain in the back,” he says, gesturing to the sleeper cab behind the driver’s seat. “You can change in there. I’ll wait out here.”
It’s surprisingly spacious, with a full-size mattress covered in a navy blue quilt. Shelves line the walls, packed neatly with books, snacks, and a few personal items. His clothes are stored under the bed. A tiny home for a man who never stops moving.
For a moment, I just stand there, taking it all in. It’s not what I expected at all. I change quickly, peeling off the heavy dress and slipping into Garrett’s clothes. They’re comically large on me, the sweatpants pool around my ankles, and the t-shirt hangs past my hips, but the soft fabric feels like heaven after hours in the constricting gown. The fabric smells like laundry detergent and the deep scent of Garrett himself—cedar and pine.
When I step out, Garrett looks up from where he’s leaning against the truck, his arms crossed.
“Better?” he asks.
“Much,” I admit, smoothing down the front of the shirt.
“Good,” he says, climbing into the driver’s seat. “You look damned good wearing my things, princess. Let’s get moving.”
I settle into the passenger seat as he starts the engine, the truck rumbling to life. The truck rides way smoother than I would have thought, and Garrett maneuvers the complicated machine with practiced ease. I watch him, enjoying the spectacle of someone completely in his element.
The fact that he’s absolutely gorgeous doesn’t hurt, either.
“No reason for you to ride up here with me, darlin’. You should get some sleep,” Garrett says when I try to cover up a yawn.
It feels too intimate, sleeping just a few feet away from this man I just met, but I am exhausted. And I knew from the get-go that I’d be sleeping in the truck.
“Okay,” I whisper, unbuckling my seatbelt and climbing into the back.
The mattress is soft, and the quilt smells faintly of Garrett. I lie down, curling up on my side, and the gentle rumble of the engine beneath me feels almost soothing. As my eyes drift shut, I realize I’ve forgotten to tell Garrett one incredibly important thing.
“Garrett?”
“Yeah, princess?”
“Thank you.”
It takes him a second to answer, but there’s satisfaction in his voice when he does. “You’re welcome, Sienna. More than welcome.”
The next two days pass in a strange, comforting rhythm, like I’ve stepped into another life. Which I guess I have. It should be boring, but every single thing we do is a brand-new experience for me.
The first morning, he takes me to Target for my new wardrobe. I pick out a handful of matching yoga sets, sweatshirts, gym shoes, sandals, two pairs of jeans, and four shirts in different pastel shades. The entire time we shop, Garrett sticks close to me, his big, warm hand on the nape of my neck or lower back. Anytime a man has the audacity to look in my direction, he gives them a single look, and they run away like a dog with their tail tucked between their legs.