Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
One made me feel like I was already a fixture in his world, that he wanted to make me and the boys happy; the other was there but not entirely, like his mind was a million miles away.
For a second, no one said anything. The swing creaked, and girls giggled, and somewhere behind us, the grill hissed as one of the guys turned the steaks.
I glanced back at the guys and watched as Grim muttered something low. Goose nodded once, serious in a way that seemed to go against his nature. Skid leaned in and said something to Grim, and then they all fell quiet. Walker wasn’t talking. He was just standing there, taking it all in, and then his gaze lifted and found me.
It only lasted a second, but in that brief moment, something passed between us. Something quiet and steady, like he was checking to make sure I was okay. I smiled, and he gave me a nod, and that was that. He turned his focus back to the guys.
Soon after, Presley said, “I’m still pretty new to all this club stuff, but I gotta say, it’s been kind of nice. It’s a little like an instant family, and I have friends I never knew I needed.”
‘Yeah, that’s the best part,” Jenna sighed.
“It really is.” Presley grimaced. “I wish Lila Kate had something like this… The whole mess with Nikolai has really done a number on her.”
“What’s the latest on that?” Jenna asked.
“I have no idea.” Presley shrugged. “He won’t return any of her phone calls or messages… I have to give it to her, my sister has the worst luck with men.”
“I’m sorry… I really hoped it would work out.”
“Me, too, but maybe it’s for the best.”
Laken gave me a mischievous smile as she asked, “So, you think you’re gonna stick it out with Drifter?”
“It’s still early yet… I’m not sure how things will play out, but I really do like him. More than I probably should.” I let out an audible sigh. “I’ve fallen pretty hard, but I’m not sure if he feels the same.”
“Oh, I think he does.” Jenna smiled. “He wouldn’t have brought you here if it didn’t mean something.”
My chest tightened. I hadn’t thought of it like that. I hadn’t really let myself. I glanced back over at him, and while I knew there were a lot of obstacles to overcome, I didn’t want to run.
If anything, I wanted to hold on to him even tighter.
Our topic moved from the guys to summer break and beach vacations, and before we knew it, dinner was ready. We gathered around the picnic tables, and the tension the guys were carrying earlier seemed to have faded a bit.
When everyone started eating, Walker leaned in with his mouth close to my ear and asked, “You having an okay time?”
“I’m having a great time.” I leaned in a little closer, slightly nudging him. “Thank you for bringing me.”
“No need to thank me. You’re the one doing me the favor.” He gave me a wink. “Focus is all on you and not me for a change.”
“Glad I can be of service.”
“I’ll make it up to you later.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
An hour later, we’d said our goodbyes and were back on his bike, heading to his place. I was a little nervous and excited about seeing his place for the first time.
The wind caught my breath when Walker whipped out onto the highway. Without thinking, I tightened my arms around him, holding on with all my might. I could feel the engine rumbling beneath us as the streetlights blurred past us like falling stars. I didn’t know the roads he was taking, but I wasn’t afraid. I was somewhere past afraid and deep into something I couldn’t name.
His place.
We’d been alone before. We’d even made love. I don’t know why going to his place changed anything, but it did. We were taking a new step, and it was both exciting and nerve-racking. The night stretched out ahead of us, wide open and full of possibilities. And I couldn’t help but wonder what the night had in store for us.
Whatever it was, I wasn’t turning back.
When we pulled up to the house, it was dark. No porch light or even a streetlight. But that didn’t slow him down. He killed the engine and removed his helmet as he announced, “This is it.”
I slid off the back, pulling my helmet off and handing it to him before looking up at the house. “It’s a little hard to see.”
“Probably for the best,” he scoffed. “You’ll get a better look at it in the morning.”
I nodded and followed him up the steps. He unlocked the door and waited as I went in first. He flipped on a light, and to my surprise, the place was pretty bare. There was some furniture here and there, but no personal effects. It was clean and organized, but there was no real sign of him putting down any real roots.