Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“That sounds so good.” I smile up at him. “If you keep feeding me like this, you aren’t going to be able to pick me up anymore.”
He dips down, bringing his mouth to my ear. “Then I’ll get stronger.” Pulling back, he narrows his eyes at me. “You aren’t still worrying about that shit, are you?”
I shrug. “I like getting stronger, and I like the way my body’s changing, but it’s scary. I’ve had a lifetime of being told to watch my weight. It’s hard to make that go away in a few months. Properly fueling myself without the guilt is going to take time and practice.”
He playfully smacks my ass. “Then I’ll have to keep cooking for you.”
I melt. I love you. But if he’s going to show me with actions instead of words, I’m going to do the same. “I put in my request for this weekend.”
“What’s this weekend?”
I draw back so I can look up at him. “I called Coast to Coast Equities and Investments and found out Charles is going to be back in town on Friday. I’m going to go all ‘damsel in distress’ and get your treasure chest back?”
“No.” He presses his hand between my shoulder blades and pulls me against him. “No, I changed my mind. I don’t want you involved in that. I’ll find another way.”
I close my eyes and breathe him in. He always smells so good. The scent of his aftershave will probably forever make me feel safe and happy. “I don’t mind.”
“Well, I do. It’s too risky, and I don’t want you tangled up in the middle of it.”
I frown. “I thought you said he was looking for a wife for his son.”
He huffs out a laugh and loosens his hold on me. “And you think I want to risk his son getting anywhere near you?”
“What is he, some kind of creep?”
Oliver’s jaw tightens. “No. He’s a golden child. Everything you’re looking for in your Prince Charming.”
I bite back a smile, but it breaks free. “Oliver, are you jealous of some rich kid?”
“The point isn’t that I’m jealous. It’s that I don’t want a reason to be. I don’t want you involved in any of this.”
“You didn’t seem to care before.”
He shrugs. “Aren’t I entitled to change my mind?”
“You’re trying to protect me,” I say softly. “After all you did to make this happen—to get your hands on whatever this guy has—you’re going to let it go because you want to protect me.”
“Call it what you want.”
“Do you always play the hero?”
His eyes go cold. “No, Savvy. I play the villain. And you’ll be better off as soon as you stop forgetting that.”
Bullshit. “Fine, Oliver. You’re a selfish asshole who takes what he wants. So why stop now? Let me finish this. You don’t even have to tell me what’s in the chest.”
“Drop it, Savannah.”
“So he doesn’t have something of yours?”
“That’s not what I said. I don’t want you involved. Plans changed.”
“Okay. What’s the new plan?”
He steps back and drops his hands to his side. “The new plan is to enjoy every second I can with you before I have to move and let you go.”
I swallow hard. Long distance would suck, but we could make it work. If we both wanted it. “What if you didn’t have to let me go?”
“Then I’d know for sure this was all a dream.”
I want to push—to tell him it’s not a dream and he can have me as long as he wants me—but instead I slide my hands behind his neck and kiss him, willing him with my body and my mouth to give this a real chance.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
SAVVY
My period is late. Only two days, but late enough that I think about it a lot—think about what will happen if I tell Oliver, think about how scared I am that a pregnancy would change things between us, worry that a pregnancy might mean never knowing if he chose me for me or for the baby. Worried that no pregnancy might mean I really have to let him go when he leaves for his internship.
I skipped classes this morning and took the train to New York. Oliver teases me about wanting a hero, but something tells me that he needs one, that no one since his mom has been that for him. I can do this one thing for Oliver—get the box from Charles and get out of there. He thinks it’s too much to ask, and that’s exactly why I want to do it.
I dial the number scribbled on the business card, and my stomach twists as I wait for Charles to answer.
He doesn’t. The call goes to voicemail.
“Charles . . .” My voice shakes, authentic nerves working to my advantage. “Um. I’m sorry. I didn’t know who else to call. I’m in the city for the weekend, and I think my ex is following me. My friend is working late tonight, and I’m afraid if I stay at her place, he’ll find me.” I swallow audibly. “I’m sorry. You don’t even know me. This isn’t your problem. I just don’t know who else to call. Thank you.”