Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 131888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
She interlaced her fingers with his, holding on tighter. “Yes, you would’ve. I have no doubt you would’ve done whatever you needed to do to find me.”
His fingers twitched against hers. “I might never had found you without him and his contacts.”
“That’s what I’m saying. You did what needed to be done. You realized it was better to let him handle it and you didn’t interfere, whether he would deal with it legally or not. You didn’t let your ego, or your job, get in the way.” Her eyes began to sting when she whispered, “I thank you for that.”
His voice sounded huskier than normal when he said, “Anything for you, Liyah.”
It had to be the drugs wearing off, because she was not expecting those four words to make those tears fall.
But despite everything that happened tonight, her heart was full.
It was late. The boys were in bed asleep. Nox had picked up a meal for her to eat on his way back to her house with the boys.
She had showered and then climbed into bed while waiting for him to return. During that time, she had fallen asleep and didn’t wake up until he climbed in with her, offering her a bag emblazoned with “Bangin’ Burgers.”
Her boys’ favorite.
She sat up and accepted it. “Are you staying here tonight?”
“Planned on it. You okay with that?”
“Yes.” Before she could dig into the bag, Nox did it for her, pulling out a container overflowing with fries, as well as a wrapped burger. “Was my dad home when you got there?”
“No,” he answered after popping one of the fries into his mouth. He offered the next one to her.
She took it from his fingers with her mouth, savoring the salty crunch. “What about your sled?”
“I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”
“Nox…”
“You’re more important to me than any fucking bike, Liyah. Eat, then we can talk.”
They remained quiet as she did so. She could only manage half of the burger, so he finished off the rest.
Once he did, he gathered up the trash, tossed it out, then got undressed and slipped back into bed with her, immediately pulling her into his arms.
She curled around him, placing her cheek on his bare chest. Listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. Basking in the warmth he emitted. Feeling secure and content enveloped in his arms.
“It could’ve turned out so much worse,” she whispered.
“Yeah,” came out on a breath.
“Someone was looking out for me.”
“His name is Magnum.” His fingers strummed soothingly along her arm. After a few more heartbeats, his low voice rumbled against her cheek. “I’ve decided to move out of The Plant and find somewhere safer to live.”
He was going to do what? “You don’t have to do that.”
An idea popped into her head.
Should she mention it?
She didn’t want to freak him out.
Screw it. “You could move in here.”
His brow wrinkled and his fingers stilled as he echoed, “You don’t have to do that.”
“Of course I don’t.”
“Liyah…”
“I’m throwing it out there as an option, but don’t feel pressured.”
“Moving in with you is a huge step.”
She couldn’t get a good read on the idea in either his expression or his tone. “You’re right, it is. And I’ll understand if you’re not ready.” She wanted to give him an out without feeling guilty.
He tucked a finger under her chin and tipped her face up. “Are you?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “Tonight made me realize that life is too damn short to waste time. You need to make the most out of every day.”
One eyebrow rose. “You only realized that tonight?”
“No, it whacked me right in the forehead when Mark died. As I’m sure it did for you when you lost Jackie, but tonight was a rude reminder.”
“It was. For both of us.”
“Think about it. No pressure. No rush. The offer will still be on the table tomorrow, a week from now, or even months from now.”
“Months? Do you think we’ll last that long?”
She lifted her head and watched him carefully. “Don’t you?”
Instead of answering, he reached over to the nightstand and grabbed his cell phone. He activated the screen and a few seconds later, began typing.
He was texting someone now? In the middle of their conversation and—she glanced over at the clock—this late? “It must be important if you’re sending a message at one in the morning.”
She always caught him texting at the oddest times. And once he would send the text, she never heard a ding or vibration to indicate an incoming response. Nor did he ever read any reply.
He lifted his hazel eyes but didn’t answer. Again, his expression was locked down tightly.
Since she was not one to beat around the bush... “How come whoever you text never texts you back?”
“Because she can’t.”
What the hell did that mean? Who was she?
Even though she wasn’t jealous, she was now curious.
When she put out her hand, palm up, she expected him to balk. To make excuses.