Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
“You think I’d let a girl sleep in my bed if I had another?”
“That’s normal.” I shrug my shoulders.
“No, the fuck it’s not.” Rich drops down onto his butt to sit in front of me. “It’s not for me.” He cups my cheek. I lean into his touch. I always do, wanting more but never brave enough to say so. He already gives far too much. “Let me make this real clear to you. You’re my girl. My only one.” I can’t help but smile. “Are you good with that?”
“Yes.” A week ago all I wanted was freedom; now all I want is to belong to Rich. It’s crazy how quickly things can change.
“That’s my girl.” His thumb swipes across my bottom lip gently, stroking back and forth. My eyes drop to his mouth. So many times I've seen the couples here kissing, and I've wondered so badly what it would be like if Rich were to kiss me.
Our eyes stay locked, and Rich starts to slowly lean toward me, his eyes dropping to my lips. I tell myself to move, to meet him halfway, but my heart is racing. I so badly want to kiss him.
“Hey,” Willa chirps, her and Teddy entering the gym. Rich leans back, his eyes falling away from my mouth and flicking over to his sister. “What did I do?” She scrunches her nose.
“Nothing; he’s always grumpy.” Teddy shakes her head. “We came to see if Fallon wanted to hang with us.”
“Oh.” Part of me wants to, but another part wants to stay right here.
“She’s staying with me.” Rich reaches out his hands, coming to my hips. They pause there, and I give a small nod. He pulls me into his lap, my back pressing to his chest, his arms wrapped around my waist.
“Maybe she wants girl time.” Teddy lifts a brow.
“Want me to make them leave?” Rich whispers into my ear; I turn my head to peek back at him. He’s smirking at me. I don’t think he’s always a grump.
“Aren’t you fighting tonight?” Willa asks. “You’ve been missing school, but I thought you’d go to your fight.”
“And Fallon can hang with us,” Teddy adds.
Crap, he’s been missing so much for me. “It’s okay. I can stay here while you go do what you need to.”
“I think my sister and Teddy should butt out. They certainly don’t like it when I comment on their relationships.” There is no missing Rich’s annoyance.
“Relationship?” Willa smirks, her eyes bouncing to mine and then back to her brother's.
“All right, we’re out.” Rich stands, keeping me in his hold and putting me on my feet. He snags my hand.
“Rich, really. You should go and do what you need to.”
“She’ll be fine with us,” Teddy pushes.
“We’ll let you know,” Rich says before leading me out of the gym and back up to our room.
Chapter Ten
RICH
The girls never know when to stop. They keep pushing, and it’s starting to piss me the fuck off.
“Don’t be mad.” Fallon gives my hand a squeeze.
“I’m not mad at you.” I try to school my features, but I have noticed Fallon is good at reading people. It might be a cool hat trick, but I know despite her sheltered upbringing, she got that ability from the life she’s lived. I don’t even want to think about the circumstances that made her so proficient in it.
Anytime I get pissed or worked up, she is quick to try and soothe me. I’m not sure if it’s because she wants to be a peacemaker or if it’s a protection thing. Angry people often hurt others.
“I know you’re not mad at me, but still.”
“When people get mad, it doesn’t mean violence.” How am I the one dishing out this advice? I spend way too much time beating the shit out of people.
“I think you should go to your fight thing. Then there is no reason to be mad.” I close the bedroom door behind us, flipping the lock into place. Now no one can barge in on us. I’d been so close to getting Fallon to open up more before my sister and Teddy came bouncing into the room. I know they mean well, but I’m not up for sharing. That probably makes me an asshole. I should be encouraging her to spend time with the girls, but I can’t help but want to consume every damn second of her time.
“I’m not mad because I’m not going to the fight tonight.”
“But you should go.”
“Sure, but that doesn’t matter.” I wave it off. “What matters is them putting you in an uncool situation. They were all but pressing for you to stay with them tonight. It’s why they made some of the comments. They’re being sneaky.”
“Sneaky?” She visibly tenses. “Like hiding something?” I can see her mind starting to spin.
“Not nefariously so."