Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
“You slept nearby,” Charlie’s voice is filled with wonder.
I’d sleep on hell’s floor every night if it meant keeping her safe. But I can’t tell her that. Ever since that kiss, there are a lot of things I can’t tell her. Things that would have me crossing lines. When I’m tempted to do it anyway, all I have to do is remind myself that those boundaries are there to protect her heart. Not mine. Hers.
“Coffee,” I grunt the word and push myself up and onto my feet. I slept in my t-shirt and jeans last night because the more clothes I wear around this woman the better.
I don’t imagine the disappointment that flashes across her face. What was she expecting? I can’t be her shining knight in Wranglers, no matter how much I’d like to. She deserves better. Elliott deserves better. They deserve a real friend so that’s what I’ll be. No matter how much the thought makes my stomach burn like I’m drinking straight acid.
“Bathroom?” She asks, fighting a yawn and losing. Watching those pouty lips open has my mind heading down a road that I’m definitely going to hell for but what a trip it’ll be.
I point in the direction of the master bathroom before I force myself to the kitchen. I’ve just finished brewing the coffee when there’s a knock on my door. I already know it’s Sierra. She’s Colt’s wife. She came to him when she was running from her stepfather.
We helped sort that mess out and Colt slid a ring onto her finger as soon as it was over. I have a soft spot for her since I was the one who gave her away on her wedding day.
I look at her and see a little sister. It’s the way I should look at Charlie. The way I wish I could. But I’ve spent enough time jacking myself raw to know that’s not happening. I see Charlie as a woman, my woman.
Shaking off the thought, I open the door and greet Sierra. She floats into my house with a giddy smile. It’s the one she’s worn ever since the wedding. I know she has nightmares and anxiety and panic attacks. You don’t go through that level of trauma and not develop those things. Still, Colt is doing everything he can to get her help and in time, she’ll start to heal. For now though, she covers all of it with a smile.
She sets down the oversized bag and gives me a big hug. She’s the only person I let touch me. “Can I meet her?”
Before I can answer, Charlie clears her throat. I step back from Sierra, feeling guilty even though I didn’t do a damn thing. I just know that it would send me into a feral rage to see some man hugging on her.
Sierra steps around me and gives Charlie a big grin. “I’m Sierra. I’m so excited to meet you. When Brody texted me, I had to come over.”
Charlie crosses her arms over her chest which pushes her tits further up. She scowls at my friend’s wife and her tone drips with disdain, “And you would be?”
She’s jealous. The thought has me fighting a smile. I shouldn’t be happy that Charlie is possessive over me but I am. She’d never have anything to be jealous about. There hasn’t been another woman for me since that elevator kiss and even though we can’t be together, there never will be anyone else for me. She’s it. She’s my soulmate, and I have to live with the knowledge that I’m not good enough for her.
Hesitation crosses Sierra’s features and she looks to me before glancing back at Charlie. “I’m sorry. I’m Sierra, Colt’s wife.”
It’s not my imagination, the way Charlie visibly relaxes at the words. She drops her arms and a smile blossoms over her features. “I didn’t know he was married.”
“Kind of a recent development,” Sierra laughs and holds up the bag she carried into my house. “Brody said you could use some clothes. I didn’t know your size, but it looks like we might be close to the same one.”
After that, the women disappear into the bedroom and I have to remember that no matter how good Charlie’s reaction made me feel, nothing can happen. I have to be strong for both of us.
That’s why I pretend not to notice how she’s dressed when she comes out of my bedroom later wearing blue jeans that are perfectly molded to her hips and a t-shirt that makes her tits look even juicier than usual. The sooner I can get her through this current crisis and out of my house, the better.
Sierra gives her a quick hug before telling me she’ll see me later and leaving. Then I’m alone again with Charlie.
She wrinkles her nose when she sees my cup of coffee that’s loaded with sugar and creamer. “I’ll never know how you drink that stuff.”