Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
But I want just a little more from her. She put me through hell these last few days, and I want to know if she really has moved past her hang-ups.
So I press her for more revelations by texting back.
And…
There’s no immediate response. I wonder if I pushed a little too hard to get her to continue talking out her feelings. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Clarke, it’s that she sometimes needs to take things in baby steps.
I startle when there’s a tap on my shoulder. Turning in irritation to see who would be bothering me when I’m in the middle of something so important, I freeze when I’m met by my very own beautiful but frustrating girl staring from behind her glasses. She shrugs, giving me a sheepish grin, and answers my last text. “For waiting this long to apologize. I should have driven after you the night you left my house.”
I shove my phone in my pocket, take her by the shoulders, and jerk her to me. Dipping down, I rub my nose along her cheek and murmur. “I’m just glad you came to your senses.”
Clarke throws her arms around my shoulders, hugging me tightly. “I’m really sorry, Aaron. I was awful to blame you, especially because you are the most amazing person I’ve ever known, and I know, deep in my soul, you’d never do anything to hurt me.”
“It’s okay,” I reassure her, burying my face in her neck.
“I love you,” she says, her words clear and true. My head pops up so I can see her face, and there’s nothing but conviction in her expression. We’ve never talked about the depth of past relationships, but I can tell this is the first time she’s ever said those words to a man.
Just as this is the first time I’ll give them to a woman. “I love you, too, Clarke. So much.”
There’s a kiss that follows our proclamation. As usual, we both get lost in it. I find myself sinking into it, willing to stay gone in this moment forever, but Clarke apparently has other things that still need to be discussed.
She pulls her mouth from mine, giving me a slight push backward. “Now… want to tell me why you were in Los Angeles?”
I hesitate way too long before I drawl, “Um… not really.”
Clarke merely cocks a beautifully arched auburn brow, and I know I’ll never be able to keep this secret from her.
With a sigh, I admit, “I went to see Tripp Horschen.”
She doesn’t even react, which tells me she’d already pretty much guessed. “And is he alive?”
“He might have a sore gut,” I admit, this time not able to hide the satisfied smirk that comes to my face. “And his bank account might be lighter.”
“You stole money from him?” Clarke gasps, her hand flying to her mouth.
I roll my eyes. “Of course not. I merely convinced him to donate to your favorite literacy charity in the amount of $200,000, which is the amount he was paid to be on that stupid fucking show.”
Clarke’s eyes narrow slightly, but I can’t tell if I’ve offended her or not. On one hand, I know she would rather just let all this die down and never think about it again. On the other, I was merely seeking justice, which, it has to be said, is a noble endeavor.
It appears she’s impressed and touched by my efforts since she throws herself into my arms, hugging me tightly as she proclaims, “You’re my hero.”
Fuck… that makes me feel as good as hearing she loves me.
You think we’d stay in that moment forever, relishing the fact we’ve come back together and we’ve acknowledged there’s real love between us and we have a future filled with so much promise.
But no…. women have to go and ruin everything.
“Clarke? I didn’t know you were here.”
I recognize Blue’s voice behind us. Clarke pulls away from me, and I want to snatch her back. Before I can even glare at Blue or snarl with propriety, Pepper appears and literally yanks Clarke out of the mudroom. “I’m so glad you’re here. We’re getting the group together for a picture with the Cup.”
I look past Pepper to see Brooke, Regan, Willow, and Nora.
“Come on,” Pepper says, tugging Clarke by the hand away from me. I start to follow, but a hand comes out, tagging me in the chest and pushing me back.
It’s Tacker.
He merely shakes his head with a wry smile, “It’s a women’s picture, dude. Us men aren’t invited.”
I want to be offended, but as I watch Clarke following the girls with a huge smile on her face, I can’t be offended. The message is clear. She’s part of the family now.
“Did you tell her what you did with Tripp?” Tacker asks.
“Not the sordid details, but enough to know I’m going to get very lucky later tonight.”