Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Running fingers through her hair, she took a deep breath. She loved being outside. There were times she would be locked in her room, and at some of the foster homes, they had bars on the windows.
She loved the outdoors.
Closing her eyes, she lifted her face to the sky and inhaled. There was no greater feeling than being outside, inhaling deep, and being relaxed.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
She turned around, opening her eyes to find Steven leaning against the door, his arms folded as he stared at her. Sally hadn’t even heard him leave the house.
“I didn’t know you were here.”
“I’m here to watch over you guys while Lash and Angel deal with Daisy.”
“You’re not a prospect.”
She folded her own arms, fighting off the cold.
Steven sighed. “You’re going to kill yourself if you don’t cover up.” He removed his leather jacket and moved toward her. He placed the jacket over her shoulders. “I don’t want you getting cold.”
“Thank you.”
She pushed her arms through his, and the scent of him surrounded her. Her cheeks started to heat, and she turned away from him. The last thing she wanted him to know was that she liked him. Steven was really sweet to her. She’d seen him with other women, and he was never sweet to them.
“I could have taken care of everyone,” she said.
“You could, and you’ll be making lunch for us all. You belong to the club, Sally, and I protect what belongs to The Skulls.”
Nodding, she wouldn’t look at him. In all of her life she’d never once had a crush on anyone. Steven was the first man that she’d ever felt anything for. He was older than she was by fifteen years, and she wouldn’t ever act on her feelings. He probably only saw her as a stupid kid.
“Are you okay, Sally?” he asked.
“Yeah, why?”
“You’re quiet.”
“I’m just enjoying the fresh air.”
“Do you have any homework to do?”
“No.”Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled at him. “I’m good.”
He nodded, and turned to go inside to the kitchen. The moment he left, her heart felt heavy. She didn’t understand it.
Steven was just a guy, and she wasn’t going to let her feelings for him get in the way.
****
Closing the door, Steven hesitated. Sally was different. When she first was adopted by Lacey and Whizz, she’d been closed off, but once he proved to her that he wouldn’t hurt her, she’d opened up. Now once again, she was closed off.
“Why do you look like someone has taken your favorite toy?” Lash asked.
“I thought you were going?”
“Heading out now.” Lash looked behind him. “She’s wearing your jacket. She’s fifteen years old.”
“Ew, what the fuck? She was cold.”
“You do know she’s got a huge crush on you, right?”
Steven froze. “What?”
“Yep. Lacey and Whizz know it as well.”
“I would never do anything like that. She’s not old enough—”
“We know that. Just be careful with her. I don’t want to have Whizz trying to fucking kill you. I’d miss you. Maybe when she’s older.”
Steven shook his head. “No. She’s not my type. She’s not a club whore, and I’m not good enough.” Looking back toward Sally through the window, he saw she had taken a seat on the steps. He noticed she did that a lot, spent hours sitting outside staring at the stars, or the sky.
“I never thought I’d be the kind to settle down and have kids. I didn’t even see past fucking the next available pussy. Seeing Angel, and getting to know her, I wouldn’t change a single thing about the way my life has gone with her. She’s the love of my life, the very reason I wake up in the morning.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“One day, Sally will leave the club and go away to college. She’ll grow up, and when she returns, she’ll no longer be just some girl, and you may not even be the same guy. Don’t throw away a chance because it scares you.”
“She’s fifteen.”
“She won’t always be fifteen.” Lash shrugged. “Keep your hands away from her.”
Steven watched as Lash made his way out of his own home. The kids were set up in the front room, and there was a gate keeping them there, not that it worked. The kids could wander around whenever they wanted as they knew how to open the gate. They were good though, and would come to him if they needed anything.
Entering the kitchen once again, he saw that Sally was standing near the counter by the stove. She’d left his jacket on a chair and was reading a book.
Just be yourself.
“I don’t have a crush on you,” Sally said, glancing up at him.
“Huh?”
“You didn’t shut the door properly. I heard everything. Don’t worry, I’m not going to try and jump your bones or anything.”
“You don’t have a crush.”
Sally looked over the edge of her book. She shook her head. “No.”