Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
She washed her face and brushed her teeth and then headed back into the room. She went to the task of straightening up, telling herself it was because she was a guest and not because she felt the need to stall.
When there was nothing left for her to do in the room she made herself open the door and step into the hallway. The sound of silverware clanking on china and low murmurs filled the space.
Thayer and Deacon were sitting at the table, their postures relaxed, and the air around them comfortable. Looking at the two of them in the morning light showed her that they were more similar in appearance than she initially had thought.
Both of them turned their intense blue eyes her way, and she found herself picking at the shirt she wore.
Was it one of theirs?
Would they be mad she went through their things? Their eyes did a once-over of her body, and chills raced along her arms.
“I-I’m sorry.” She continued to nervously pick at the clothes. “My clothes were dirty and bothering me. I hope you don’t mind, but I found these in the dresser. I also used the toothbrush you had in the bathroom.” Deacon cleared his throat and looked down at his plate. Thayer started rubbing the back of his neck. “I can change.” The way they acted made her uncomfortable.
She turned to leave, but Deacon’s deep voice stopped her. “No. It’s fine, really.” She turned back around and went to the table. “That’s why we have those things in there.”
Thayer motioned for her to sit down across from them. Deacon set an empty plate in front of her, and he started piling on eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fresh fruit. She knew her eyes had to be as wide as the plates at the amount of food in front of her.
The sound of Thayer chuckling had her lifting her eyes to him and then looking at Deacon who scowled at his brother.
“What’s so funny?” Deacon’s voice was so rough and so very male.
“Dude, she can’t eat that much.” Thayer threw his head back and let out a bark of laughter, which only had Deacon deepening his scowl.
Deacon turned and looked at her and then down at her plate. “You need more meat on your bones.” He started shoveling food in his mouth but kept his eyes on her. When he swallowed and took a drink of coffee he spoke again. “You’re skin and bones.”
She knew he hadn’t meant for it to be an insult, but she felt her cheeks heat nonetheless. Paul had always said she was too thick for his liking, that she needed to portion out her servings and eat like a woman, not a grown man.
For years she had swallowed his words and taken them to heart, and after a while she started believing him. When he hit her so hard her jaw became dislocated, and when he started bringing home random women, Jess finally saw what her life had become.
She had finally had enough. Of course that had been five years too late, but hey, at least she had finally grown a spine and fought back.
The image of blood filled her mind again, and she shook her head, trying to rid herself of the image.
“Deacon.” Thayer hissed under his breath, and she looked up at him and smiled.
“No, he’s right. I do need to put some weight on.” She didn’t like how thin her body had become since being with Paul. She used to have a full figure with curves and an actual chest.
She was now convinced Paul wanted someone to keep under his thumb, to mold into the perfect little Stepford wife.
Deacon made a sound deep in his throat, and she smiled. She was comfortable in the company of these strangers, these men who commanded the attention of a room.
That realization scared the shit out of her.
“I took a run this morning to your car and grabbed your bag.” Deacon said after swallowing a mouthful of food. He pointed, and she turned to see her bag and purse sitting on the couch.
“I actually need to know if there is a mechanic who can take a look at my car and get it in running order again.” She looked between the two of them, realizing they were still and silent. “I appreciate everything you two have done. I could never repay you for saving my life, and I’m sure you want to get on with your lives without the inconvenience of me here.”
She forced a smile because the strange thing was she didn’t like how she felt when those words left her mouth.
“You’re far from an inconvenience, Jessa.” Thayer spoke low and gently. She wouldn’t break, not again. Never again.
“Your car is pretty fucked up.” She didn’t flinch at the crude nature of his words.