Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
I can't help but notice how happy she looks in my arms as we kiss in the first photo. Her eyes are closed in bliss as she leans into the kiss. The light filters through her hair, making it shine like copper. Her hand is clasped in mine, our bodies pressed close together. Pure possession stamps every line of my face, making it clear this isn't some casual fling. This girl belongs to me.
I quickly dial her number, every ring amplifying my worry. Her voicemail picks up after the fifth ring. I leave her a quick message, asking her to call me back, and then I shoot her a text with the same instruction.
With that out of the way, I rev the engine and pull out, headed toward her place. The drive from the site takes ten minutes. They're the longest ten fucking minutes of my life. I try to call her again twice, but she doesn't answer.
When I pull onto her street, I immediately see why. It looks like half the fucking county has come to gawk. People are parked every which way, blocking half the street. Two deputies have put up a barricade after the last house before hers, effectively blocking anyone from passing.
I pull right up to it, rolling my window down.
"Turn around and head home," Clive Forrester barks without even looking up.
"No can do. That's my girl down there."
He flicks his steely blue eyes up at me. "Caleb Maverick."
"Deputy."
"You could have warned us that you and your girlfriend were going to set the whole fucking town on its ear today," he bitches, as crabby as ever. The man should have retired five years ago, but he has nothing else to do.
"It wasn't on our agenda for the day. Blame whoever took and released those fucking pictures."
"Ah." His ire cools slightly, mollified now that he knows we weren't prepared for this, either. "Any idea who did it?"
"Oh, I have a few guesses," I mutter, but I won't be telling him. If Sutton wants to address the matter, that's another issue. But it's not my decision to make for her. That's her call.
Clive jerks his chin in a nod and then glances over his shoulder, shouting for Deputy Shane to help him move the barricade to let me through.
I wait impatiently for them to haul it out of the way. Once it's off to the side, I pause before driving through. "Paparazzi probably won't be far behind," I warn them. "A flight from Los Angeles only takes a few hours."
"Son of a bitch," the old deputy growls. "I'll let the sheriff know."
"Thanks." I give him a salute and then drive through, eager to get to my girl.
The gate outside her place is closed up tight to keep the curious throng away. A deputy is stationed outside the house. He waves as I pull up to the gate and type in the code, letting me know Forrester called ahead to let him know to expect me.
I wave back and then pull through, keeping an eye out for anyone who might have snuck onto the property. Thankfully, there is no one.
I park my truck, my heart pounding like a fucking war drum. Not from fear, but anticipation. It's been only hours since I left Sutton with a heated kiss, but it feels like a damn eternity. I hop out of the truck and rush up the steps to her front door, not bothering to knock.
Koda meets me at the door, tail wagging like always. I swear, the pup is never anything less than excited. I stoop to scoop him up, scratching his ears as I go in search of Sutton.
I expect to find her curled up, crying. But I should have known better. That isn't Sutton. She's a fucking warrior.
I find her positioned in front of the grand piano in the living room. Her fingers dance across the keys with an intimacy that tugs at my heartstrings. She's oblivious to my arrival, lost in her music, her soulful voice filling every inch of the room.
I pause in the entryway, drinking in her serenity. Her dimples are on full display as she belts out a particularly high note, her hazel eyes closed in concentration. She's beautiful—a sunbeam personified. The sheer emotion in her voice makes my fucking heart ache. There's so much of it.
You were my shelter, you were my home
In that time, and in that place
When everything was new and full of grace
We had nothing but each other
That was enough, no need for another
Every time I heard you whisper my name
My heart was ablaze, and my soul was aflame
Through stormy nights and sunlit days
Tangled in your arms, I found my place
Right there with you. Right there with you.
The song fades away as she finally opens her eyes and spots me leaning against the doorframe. The surprise on her face stiffens my cock.