Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“He said he did and couldn’t find anything.”
“I had a look around the property and couldn’t see anything,” Jake said. “I don’t have enough deputies to station someone there the whole night. But, curiously, I couldn’t find any report about Horse making noise. So I don’t know why he was there that first time you met him.”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Eli said.
Neither did she.
Kellan stood. “It’s time for Arabella to eat and go to bed. She’s exhausted. She’d been through a lot today.”
“Kellan, that’s rude,” she said in a low voice.
“It is? It’s just the truth.”
“That’s okay,” Jake said. “I’ve got a few reports to write up. Arabella, we’ll talk soon, okay? And you still have my number. Use it.”
“Yes, boss.” She saluted him. Then she froze as she realized what she’d done.
Would Jake like that? Or would he see it as disrespectful?
But he just grinned. “Nice to see some sass. It means that you’re feeling safer around me.”
Was that what it meant?
Maybe he was right.
As he left, Kellan carried her to the bed.
“We like the sass too,” Eli told her as Kellan tucked her in. “Feel free to let it out. But you should know that sometimes I might feel like fucking or spanking that sass right out of you.”
Dear Lord.
How did he expect her to sleep after that?
“I can’t believe you just said that.” She gave him a grumpy look.
“Why? Because you can’t believe we’d spank or fuck you or because you wish we’d do it right now?” Eli asked.
Jesus.
Could Eli read her mind? Was she thinking about that now?
Yes.
She definitely was.
“I’ve never been like this,” she said.
“Like what?” Kellan asked.
“Turned on by things. I just . . . I never got turned on. And the other night when you kissed me, Eli. Well, I liked it a lot. So much so that I felt like I could nearly . . . like I might come just from you kissing me alone. It was overwhelming and I didn’t know how far I would go. So when we were interrupted, it was like reality crashing back over me. I guess I kind of panicked and I needed a moment to collect my thoughts. I know how stupid that sounds.”
“Hey.” Eli placed a finger over her lips. “I don’t want to hear that nonsense, understand me? Nothing you feel is stupid.”
“Are you sure about that? It kind of feels stupid. Immature. I guess I am when it comes to a real relationship. And I don’t want to mess things up.”
“You’re not going to mess up. All you have to do is want us, to tell us the truth, and to do what you’re told,” Kellan told her.
She gave him a curious look. “You know, I thought I’d gotten pretty good at working out when you’re joking or not. But right now I can’t tell.”
“We’ll just leave that a mystery.”
27
Eli was worried about their girl.
She looked exhausted, but she didn’t want to sleep. She also had to be hungry, but she didn’t want to eat any of the food they’d ordered.
Food that he’d grilled the chef about to ensure there were no peanuts in it.
She simply sat in the bed and stared at the wall. Since Jake left, she grown very quiet and reserved.
Polite.
Too polite.
And he didn’t like it.
He walked out of the bedroom carrying the full tray of food and setting it down on the counter.
“She’s holding back,” he said to Kellan. “Won’t let me in. She’s wound up too tight.”
“Like I said, she needs to yell. To get it out. Life has been shit for her lately.” Kellan turned and walked into the bedroom. Eli followed, curious about what he was going to do.
Drawing back the blankets, Kellan lifted her out and stood in front of her with his hands on her shoulders.
“Yell.”
“What?” she asked, blinking up at him in surprise.
Was Kellan scaring her? Eli was about to step in when Kellan bent down to make his eyes level with hers.
“Yell. Scream. Let it out, Butterfly. Let it all out. Your anger, your fear, your disappointment.”
“I can’t yell or scream.”
Eli realized then that she wasn’t intimidated by Kellan. She simply looked confused and a bit lost.
“Why not?” Eli asked.
“It wouldn’t be nice or dignified.”
“Screw dignified,” Kellan told her. “Who cares about that? If you need to let it out, let it out. Aren’t you angry at what was done to you? Aren’t you upset?”
Again, he almost told Kellan that he was taking things too far, pushing too much, but then her face twisted, her hands forming fists.
“Yes!” she snapped. “Yes, I’m angry! I’m furious! Do you know what it’s like to have your father control your life!”
“Tell us,” Eli said.
Horse poked his head into the room, but didn’t come in. As though he sensed something was happening.