Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
“If you change...”
He doesn’t even let me get the words out. “Nope, I won’t change my mind, Becca. I love you. I’ve never said that to another woman before. You’re the one. Nothing or no one will change that.”
Because I can’t hold back any longer, I curl into his lap and kiss him like I want to. We sit there for minutes, hours, I don’t even know. It doesn’t matter because we have the rest of our lives to figure it all out.
Epilogue
Becca
I pull back from Lucas’ kiss. It’s either that or we’re going to end up in bed again, and we’re both already going to be late. I have the late shift at the bakery, and he’s about to leave to go out of town. I lean my head against his chest and whisper huskily to him, “Oh my, I could definitely get used to this.”
When I realize what I just said, I pull out of Lucas’ arms and start gathering my stuff. We’ve spent the week together, and he’s about to leave for a rodeo. He definitely doesn’t need a clingy girlfriend.
He grabs me by the waist and pulls me back against him. “Me too, Becca. I could get used to this. Fuck that, I don’t want to just get used to this. This is what I want.”
“Lucas...” I start, but he doesn’t let me finish.
“After this rodeo, I’m coming here, and we’re going to talk about the future, Becca.”
“Okay,” I all but squeal as I throw my arms around him. He picks me up and kisses me. But there’s nothing simple about this kiss. Like every other time, it goes to inferno level in seconds. The only thing that tears us apart is the frantic knocking at my front door.
Lucas releases me, and I go to get it, but he pulls up in front of me to get it. No doubt worried by the sound of the knock.
When he opens the door, Emery all but runs inside. She walks past Lucas with a glance and stops in front of me. Her eyes are swollen, and she’s a mess. I swear I’ve never seen her like this. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
I open my arms, and Emery steps into them. I hug her tightly, and Emery starts to sob. “It’s Nash... I need a ride to the hospital in Jasper. Can you take me?”
“Absolutely. What happened? Is he okay?” Thank goodness I’m already ready and was about to go out the door.
She shrugs her shoulders. “All I know is he was shot. Walker offered to send someone to get me, but I told him I had a ride.”
“He was shot! Oh my, Emery. I’m so sorry. Come on, let’s go. You know I’ll take you.”
I grab her hand, and she holds on to mine in a death grip.
She’s staring off blankly, and it scares me a little. I’ve never seen Emery come unglued like this. Of all of us, she’s the most level-headed.
I look at Lucas apologetically. “I’m sorry. I need to go with her.”
He drops his overnight bag and puts a hand on my lower back. “Come on, I’ll drive. You two can sit in the back.”
I grab on to my purse as Lucas walks Emery and me out the door, but I’m trying to stop him. “No, you need to go... I can handle this.”
He helps Emery into the backseat and then shuts the door. He walks around the truck, practically carrying me the whole way. “No, I need to be with you.”
“No, Lucas. You can’t miss this...”
But he doesn’t let me finish. “Your friend needs you, and her friend was shot. I’m not letting you walk into something like that without me. I need to know you’re safe, Becca. I’ll worry about you the whole time.”
I want to argue with him, but I understand what he’s saying. “I get it. I’m the same way every time you get on a bull. But I’ll be fine. Nash’s men will be there... no one will get—"
He touches my chin. “Don’t finish that sentence, baby. I don’t want to hear about how other men will protect you. I’m here now... I protect you.”
I know we can’t keep going back and forth on this. I kiss him quickly and climb into the back of the truck. Seconds later, he’s in the front. “Jasper Hospital?”
“Yes, please. I’m sorry.”
He meets Emery’s gaze in the mirror. “No need to be sorry. I’ll get you there as quick as I can.”
I want to reach up and hug him, but I don’t. Emery needs me right now. I scoot over next to her and pull her into my arms. “It’s going to be okay. Nash is strong. You know he is...”
Emery takes a deep, shuddering breath. “I know he is. But damn, Becca... the things I said to him the other night. If something happens...”