Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
They howl in laughter, and the one nearest to me grabs my arm and pulls me close. I flinch and try to pull away, almost gagging at the smell of tobacco on his breath. “Whaddya gonna do no—”
He doesn’t even finish his sentence because Damien’s fist connects with his jaw. I don’t even see him move. One minute, Damien’s staring daggers at them, and the next, he’s pulling me behind him.
That’s it. I can’t watch it anymore. I just can’t.
With my eyes fixed on the ground, I sit on my haunches and cover my ears, doing my best to ignore the grunts, dull thuds, sharp smacks, and scuffling. I must have been sitting like that for a few minutes because my legs feel numb when Damien lowers himself to my level and lifts my face to his. “It’s over, baby. Let’s go.”
He leads me to the truck on wobbly legs, still reeling from what happened. I glance at the three groaning men on the ground. Not so tough now, huh?
So I guess Damien is the real deal. There’s not even a scratch on him. If he can take them on, then he can easily fight the guys at the compound. They work out, sure, but they haven’t seen raw power and strength like Damien’s.
I slide into the passenger seat, hands still clutching the plastic bag.
He locks the doors and windows before turning to me and running a hand down my back. “You okay? I didn’t want you to see that. I’m sorry.”
I give him a soft smile, still marveling at how the same hands that fought those awful men are now caressing me and helping me relax. “No. I’m just shaken by how those men thought they could have any girl they wanted just because they’re strong enough to do so.”
He nods in understanding. “Yes. There’s no shortage of degenerates like them. That’s why I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”
He takes my hand and brushes his lips along my knuckles, making my body flash hot. “I will protect you, Dani. I promise you that.”
“I know. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but thank you.”
“I’m going to make this world safer for you and other girls to live in, Dani. I swear on my life.”
“Thank you. Did you find a signal here?”
He frowns. “No. Still a dead spot.”
We go back on our road trip, wondering how long it will take before we see civilization…or even just a place to rest. I don’t mind sleeping in the truck, but Damien’s too big to rest comfortably in the back seat.
I take a quick peek at him. Everything about him draws me to him, especially with the way he came to my defense. The way he didn’t think twice about fighting three men because they posed a danger to me. With him, I don’t have to pretend to be strong. I can just be myself. And that’s so freeing.
With one hand on the steering wheel, Damien rests his other hand on my knee. It’s such a big paw, so much bigger than my kneecap. His size may be intimidating to other men, but beside him, I feel small and feminine. The fact that I can make him moan with a kiss is like a drug. I want another fix. I want to see his eyes flare with naked hunger.
That’s my favorite version of Damien.
I’m wearing his sweatpants so there’s a thin layer of clothing between us. Feeling a little bold, I put my hand over his and slide it a bit higher up my thigh. His hand tightens and he sits straighter. “What are you doing?”
His voice is gravelly, and weirdly enough, it makes me feel powerful—that I can make him feel these emotions with a simple touch. I’m no seductress, and everything I know about intimacy between couples comes from books, magazines, and hushed whispers from the other girls.
Damien seems worldly. And with his looks and the way he treats me, I don’t doubt he has a line of women waiting at his front door. That thought sombers me, the sharp sting of jealousy taking me by surprise.
It unsettles me, this gnawing feeling in my chest. No. I don’t want to share his attention. I am his and he is mine.
But…what if he already has someone? No. Impossible. He just kissed me. Then again, some men…
No. He’s not like them.
I want to shut that part of my brain, but it’s like a dam breaking. I’m filled with fear that he has someone else. I didn’t ask him, did I? And I practically begged for that kiss.
Oh god. What if he has a girlfriend? A wife? What if…?
“Are you with someone?” I almost pinch myself for blurting it out.
He looks at me from the corner of his eye, one side of his mouth lifting. “No.”