Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
With his jaw pulled tight, he answers, “Yeah, I got it.”
I release him and reach back. Maddie instantly puts her hand in mine. With one last glare at Wes, I walk over to my truck, with Maddie pulled into my side. She’s quiet the whole distance, and I want to ask her if she’s okay, but my first thought is to get her to safety. If Wes and his buddies decide to grow some balls in the next few seconds, I need to know she’s safe.
I open the door to the truck and help her in before closing it and making my way around to the driver's side. The men have disappeared inside the bar, so I breathe a little easier as I get in and start the truck. I should pull out, but I don’t. I sit with my hands gripping the steering wheel. “Maddie, when something like that happens, I need to know you’re safe. I was outnumbered, and you should have gone to the truck or even back inside the bar.”
She gasps and looks as if I’ve sprouted two heads. “I wouldn’t just leave you. It’s my fault—”
I cut her off. “No, don’t say it. None of this is your fault.”
She bites onto her lip and nods. Fuck, is she about to cry? “Thank you, Rhett. I know this isn’t exactly how you wanted to spend your night, but I appreciate you coming and well, everything.”
I tighten my hands around the wheel because I’m itching to reach for her. “Don’t thank me.”
I know I sound like an ass, but I can’t help it. If I drop my guard even a little bit, it’s hard to tell what I may do. I put the truck into gear, but before pulling out, I tell Maddie, “Put your seatbelt on.”
She pulls at the belt over her shoulder with a huff. “I’m not a child, Rhett. I feel like I have to keep telling you that. And I would have put my seatbelt on, but pardon me if I’m a little stunned by everything.” She keeps yanking on the unforgiving belt, but it’s not budging.
I put the truck in park and climb out. The whole walk around to the passenger side, I’m telling myself to help Maddie with the seatbelt and that’s it. Don’t touch her.
She’s still struggling with it when I open the door, and instead of reaching for the seatbelt, I reach for her. “Maddie, baby, stop.”
Her eyes lift, and she’s looking at me through her long lashes. It’s obvious seeing Wes has bothered her, and here I am giving her shit. She’s apologizing again. “Shoot, I’m sorry, Rhett. I’m a mess, and—”
I cut her off and cup her face in my hands. “You’re not a mess, Maddie. You’re perfect, and you shouldn’t apologize to anyone… especially not to me. I’m here because I wanted to be. I wanted to be here tonight.”
She blinks up at me, and I know I’m going to kiss her. How could I not? I’m literally holding her face in my hands. How could I not kiss her?
I’m searching her eyes, and desire is reflected back at me. She wants this… I know she does, but I also know that I shouldn’t give in. Nothing can come of this. I’m about to release her when she grasps the front of my shirt. “No.”
I tense up. “No? No, don't kiss you?”
She pulls me toward her. “No, don’t stop. Please, kiss me, Rhett.”
I can’t resist. Before I can talk myself out of it, I press my lips to hers. I’ve thought about what it would be like to kiss her at least a thousand times, but none of those come close to reality. Her lips are soft against mine, and when she opens her mouth, allowing me entrance, I slide my tongue against hers and lose all sense of responsibility.
I turn her in her seat and pull her to the edge. I fit my hips between her legs, and she instantly hooks her ankles around my hips. My cock is hard, pressing against the zipper of my jeans, but damn, the pain is good. It’s the only thing that is going to bring me to my senses.
Maddie tilts her head to the side, giving me better access. Her hands are sliding across my chest, and it’s as if she can’t get enough. Her hands are everywhere, and when I feel her fingers against the bare skin of my belly, I suck in a breath and break the kiss.
Panting, I press my forehead to hers. There’s a weight on my chest, and I feel like I can’t breathe. Kissing Maddie is like nothing I’ve felt before, and I wasn’t prepared for it.
I pull back, and she’s looking at me wide-eyed. “I’m sorry, Maddie… I shouldn’t have—”
She reaches up and touches her fingers to her lips. “Don’t apologize… I wanted you to kiss me.”