Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
I stomp down the cobblestone path to the second cabin on the left and then up the steps. The low murmuring of multiple voices comes from inside, but I can't make out anything they're saying. I'm guessing her friends are in there with her, comforting her. I don't even know them, but I appreciate them for it. She deserves people in her life who love her the way she deserves.
I rap on the door.
Shuffling comes from inside and then the door flies open.
A curvy brunette blinks at me. "Can I help you?"
"Cassia," I growl.
Before I can say anything else, an entire wall of women stands between me and my pretty baby like they intend to physically keep me out of the cabin. Not a single one of them stands taller than my chest yet they don't bat a lash as they stare me down. They're all as different as night and day, but down to the last one, they wear matching scowls.
I'm not even mad. How can I be when they're protecting their friend? The same curvy blonde I'd lay my life down for without hesitation? Given the choice between me and her, there is no choice. She's mine to protect, mine to love. She comes before me in all things, always.
"She doesn't want to see you right now," the brunette says.
I think about arguing but realize it won't get me anywhere. The five of them might not love Cassia the same way I do, but they love her, nonetheless. They'll nail boards over the fucking door and brandish lamps to keep me out of this cabin if they think it's what she wants. Isn't that what women do for one another?
They show up in those dark moments, and fight for their friends when their friends forget to fight for themselves. That's the beauty of female friendships. It doesn't matter how fucking long they go without seeing one another or talking. When one of them hurts, they all hurt. When one falls, they all show up. That's how it's always been with Cleary and her friends. Whenever Cleary is down, her tribe always shows up to support her. I'm guessing that's how it is with this group of authors too.
So I don't argue with them. I don't even speak to them.
"Cassia, pretty baby," I rasp, talking to my girl instead. She's in this cabin somewhere, hiding from me. I feel her in there. My arms fucking ache for her. "I don't know why you ran, but I'm not letting you go without a fight, princess. When I said you were mine, I meant it. If you're going back to Seattle, I'll sell the ranch and go with you. Whatever you want. But you aren't leaving me now. I won't allow it."
"S-sell the ranch?" Cassia whispers from deeper in the cabin, her voice ravaged by tears. The sound breaks my heart.
"If that's what I have to do," I say, planting my feet to keep myself where I am. Every instinct I have screams at me to go to my girl, but her friends still stand between me and her, and I'd never put my hands on a woman, even to move her out of my way. "Whatever you need, pretty baby. If Seattle is where you're happy, then we'll live in Seattle. I don't give a fuck where we are so long as I'm with you."
"Maybe we should give them a minute," the brunette says, glancing between the other girls.
A blonde with wild curls glances at me and then nods.
I step to the side, allowing Cassia's friends to file out.
"Call us if you need us," the brunette says, pausing in the doorway.
"Thanks," Cassia whispers.
The brunette steps out, allowing me to step in. As soon as I catch sight of Cassia, my breath catches in my throat and my stomach sinks. Her sweet face is stained with tears, her eyes red and swollen. Even crying, she's beautiful.
"Pretty baby," I whisper as the door clicks shut behind me. "Why'd you leave me?"
Her bottom lip quivers. "I told you I l-love you," she whispers.
"I know."
"You didn't say it back."
"I didn't…?" I trail off, staring in shock. Christ, no wonder she left in the middle of the night. She gave me her heart, and like a jackass…I didn't say it back. I made her say it, again and again and again, blown away every single time. I showed her how I felt about her, every way I could show her. I made love to her until we were both in tears. But she deserved to hear it.
Tears slip down her cheeks, dripping off her chin. The sorrow in her eyes kills me.
I drop to my knees right there by the door, willing to do whatever it takes to convince this beautiful, brilliant woman that my heart beats for her and her alone.