Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
The photo had taken my breath away, but it had nothing on seeing her in person. It sucked the oxygen right out of my lungs, and they burned, along with the envious rage that coursed through me. I wanted to be holding her. I hated that his hands were on her. She wasn’t smiling.
I studied her closer. She didn’t appear to be having the time of her life. There was a tight, forced look that wasn’t one I’d ever seen on her face before.
What had he done? Did she not want to be here?
Her head turned as if she had heard my unspoken questions from across the room, and when those cornflower-blue eyes drifted over the crowd, I waited, not sure if I should leave or let her find me. Who the fuck was I kidding? I wasn’t leaving. She didn’t look happy.
Like two magnets, our gazes locked, and her pretty eyes widened in surprise. There would never be anyone as fucking stunning as she was at this moment. How was every male in this place not completely focused on her, unable to look away?
There was a twinkle in her expression, and a slow smile—the real kind—lifted the corners of her glossy pink lips. I winked at her and watched as her cheeks pinkened. She blushed so easily, and I loved it. Taking a chance, I nodded my head toward the exit before heading that way. It could be I was wrong and she wanted to be here. But I had to find out first. Make sure she was okay.
I wanted her alone, away from another guy’s hands and his unfounded claim.
Just when I reached the door, I glanced back to see her talking to Tyler. She was still in his arms. I’d imagined her tearing herself free and running to me, but then that was my ego. Like my mother had said, she was still young. What she had thought she wanted with me months ago in my truck could have changed. Maybe she had feelings for the dick.
The evening air had yet to become stifling with the return of spring. It still held a touch of chill that I knew was coming to an end. I went over to the water fountain and crossed my arms over my chest while staring at the water. The chaos of thoughts in my head made me anxious. I didn’t want to be selfish with her. She deserved more than that. But, fuck, how did I step back and let her be with someone else? I wanted a cigarette, but if I lit one up out here, I was sure to be noticed. It wasn’t one of the chaperones or faculty I was worried about. It was my mom finding out. And if one of her coworkers saw me, they’d call her, and I’d have to explain this shit to her.
“Rome.”
Her soft voice wiped out all my other thoughts, and I turned around to see her standing there like a princess from a fairy tale, surrounded by all the twinkling lights.
She’d come out here. That meant something. At least, I wanted it to.
“You having a good time?” I asked her, attempting to sound casual. Instead of like a crazy stalker who had come to make sure she wasn’t letting that shit inside have her.
She lifted a bare shoulder. “I guess,” she replied.
“You guess?”
She licked her lips and glanced down at the ground or my boots—I wasn’t sure which—before lifting her eyes, then scrunching her nose adorably. “I should be. Right? Having a good time, I mean.” She picked up one of the satin layers of her dress and let it fall from her fingertips. “Your mom bought me this beautiful dress, and I’ve never worn anything like it. She spent so much time on my hair. This…it would all be a waste if I wasn’t enjoying myself?” She ended it as if she were asking a question rather than answering one.
I took a step toward her, letting my hands fall to my sides. “Nothing about seeing you dressed up like this is a waste. And Mom got to take her photos. That’s more than she got to do for my prom since I didn’t go.”
She bit her bottom lip and blushed. “Why didn’t you go to yours?” she asked.
I shrugged, continuing to move toward her. “There wasn’t anyone who looked like you to take, and I had no desire to spend my money on a night like this.”
A small laugh fell from her lips. “I’m sure any girl would have wanted to go with you even if they had to ride on the back of your bike.”
“Lucky for you, I drove my truck tonight. In case you weren’t having a good time and needed an escape,” I replied with a smirk. I probably shouldn’t have said that.