Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
The man behind her growled and moved. She didn’t turn back to Ronan, merely reached back to him and placed her hand on his chest.
“I don’t know who you think you are but you should be ashamed of yourself for talking about this man in such a manner.”
“He’s nothing but a boy who barely made it through class and didn’t have any friends.” He lifted his pockmarked chin. “My parents pretty much own this town.”
People, who had been absent due to the weather, had somehow gotten up their nerves to venture out and had begun gathering around.
“Angel,” he rumbled in her ear.
“Shush.” She pushed on his chest, never taking her eyes off the man she wanted to smack more than anything. “This man is a war hero and you, from the looks of things, haven’t done anything worthwhile. You’re not fit to shine his shoes and either you walk on Jorgansen, or you’ll answer to me.”
“I’m not a man to threaten, lady.”
She realized right then, the only reason Ronan’d stayed back was because he was willing to, not because she had the ability to keep him behind her. Ronan moved her aside like she weighed no more than a feather.
“Keep on in that manner, Jorgansen and I’ll do worse to you than I did in middle school.”
Anger all over his expression, Jorgansen turned his fury from her to the man who’d manhandled her back from the line of fire.
“You can’t just go beating on people because you think you can.”
The growl rumbled up from his chest and she felt it all the way to her core. “When you’re threatening my woman, I’ll do whatever necessary to keep her safe. Trust me when I say I learned a lot of ways to do that in the military.” He stepped closer and reached out to grab him.
Vivyan snagged the back of his dark brown leather jacket, trying to hold him back.
“Ronan.”
He angled so he could look at her but not fully turn his back on what he’d perceived to be a threat. To her.
Damn him for making her weak-kneed again.
One eyebrow rose.
“He’s not worth it.”
“You are.”
If she’d not been in love with him before, those two words cemented it home.
She didn’t beg him not to, merely held his gaze and poured every ounce of her feeling into that look she could. After about five seconds, he huffed and rubbed his knuckles down the side of her face.
“You win, angel. But don’t think this is going to be common. I protect what’s mine.” He put them nose to nose. “And that’s you.”
She couldn’t even attempt to hide the blossoming smile turning up her lips. “And I protect what’s mine, Ronan Milo. And that’s you.” She blinked. “I’ve never claimed a person before I kinda like it.”
“It’s a one time deal, angel. You don’t get to claim anyone else.” A light brush of his lips. “You’re mine and I’m yours. Period.”
“I love you, too, Ronan.”
She settled her hands on the sides of his face and kissed him. She wasn’t going to hide her love for this man, especially not in front of people who should be thanking him for his service versus trying to make him feel bad about his youth.
He wrapped his arms around her and yanked her flush against him. That was about the time, she lost track of everything else.
It didn’t matter. She had more than she ever dreamed she would.
Epilogue
Two months later
“Ronan?”
“Yes, angel?” he hollered from the back of her apartment.
He’d sold his childhood home and put the money in the bank, not caring about it. Then he’d come with her to her town not wanting to be without her. She was fine with that, feeling the same way in regards to him.
He’d met her father and while her dad hadn’t fallen for him as she did, they at least got along.
“That delivery truck is backing up.”
“Coming.”
Ronan had ordered them a new bed. After they’d broken the one she had.
He’d winked and told her it had been worth it. She had the day off from work and they were going to grill for dinner. The steaks had been thawing and she was in the kitchen working on the sides. She glanced out the front window, watching the delivery truck maneuver up beside his big pickup.
He wasn’t there, then he was, his presence surrounding her with warmth and that scent which drove her insane. Pine and musk. She loved how he smelled and when she had on his clothing, it made her happy.
Probably why I’m covered in one of his tees right now.
He caressed her ass and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “It’s a few things.”
She paused in chopping up the tomato. “What’s a few things?”
“The delivery.” He grinned and loped to the door only to step back quickly.
She tensed only to tip her head a bit and look to see what happened. “Ronan?”