Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
There’s no room for argument in his tone, and honestly, I don’t have one. I just stare at him, all the bite drained from my words. No one’s ever said anything like that to me, and the certainty in his voice is like gravity pinning me in place.
I swallow hard, feel the burn of tears somewhere in my chest. I’m so in love with him, it’s terrifying. I’ll never survive if I lose him now. I try to look away, but Eamon grabs my chin and makes me look at him.
“Hey,” he says. “Don’t go running off in your head, alright? We will make this work. I love you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you fall in love with me, too.”
I take a deep breath and jump in with both fucking feet. “I’ve been in love with you since the first moment we met.”
“I was a jackass for pushing you away.” He hugs me closer. “I thought opening up to someone was the scariest thing I could do until I faced losing you.” Wow. My heart does a full triple axel in my chest. “You’re the sunshine that brightens my world.” I never knew Eamon has such a romantic side. I could definitely get used to this happiness overload.
We lie there forever, just breathing together, until my eyelids start to droop. I fight the pull of sleep, but it’s a losing battle. The last thing I feel before I drift off is Eamon’s lips pressing against my forehead, gentle and lingering, and the soft, possessive squeeze of his arm around my waist.
For the first time in years, I don’t want to run. I don’t even want to move.
I don’t know what’s going to happen today, tomorrow, or next week, but right now, in this sliver of morning light, tangled up with the man who finally, finally sees me, I’m exactly where I belong.
And I’m going to trust we’ll find a way to make it work.
CHAPTER SIX
EAMON
I get to the club three hours before doors open, which is absurd, but I can’t help myself. Last night and this morning loop through my head, stuck on repeat. Dee’s mouth on mine, her legs around my waist, the way she trembled when I touched her and didn’t even try to hide it.
The club is dark and silent, and I don’t bother with the overheads, just punch in the security code and let the red and white glow of the exit signs guide me through the maze of empty tables.
I head up to my office and get to work on payroll. The numbers on the screen blur after five minutes. Useless. I can't even focus on decimals or overtime rates with my brain replaying the way Dee melted under my hands. The way she wrapped around me like I was the only damn thing keeping her tethered to earth.
Fuck. I’m so far gone, and I don’t even fucking care anymore.
My phone buzzes when Dee’s alarm code is keyed in, and I glance at the monitor screen to see her strolling in the back door. She’s wearing a black tank and ripped jeans with her hair scraped up in a messy knot that can’t contain the explosion of caramel waves. Her mouth is cherry red and unsmiling as she heads down the back hallway toward the employee break room. I wait exactly seven seconds before I follow. No point pretending I’m not completely fucking obsessed.
I stride down the hall, ignoring the way my pulse kicks up every time I catch her scent. Sunshine and something wild, like she rolled around in a field of trouble just for me. She’s got no clue I’m coming. None. I like it that way.
Dee pushes into the break room, and I’m right behind her. I flip the lock, not bothering with subtlety. She spins, eyes wide, and I don’t waste a single goddamn second.
I back her up against the row of lockers, hands at her waist, mouth on hers before either of us can think. She melts instantly, soft and sweet and hungry all at once. I kiss her like I own her. Because I fucking do.
I make a mental note to delete the security feed before Nathan gets an eyeful. Yeah, that’s definitely going on my to-do list for the day. The last thing I need is Nathan getting a play-by-play of me mauling Dee in the employee break room before anyone else arrives. I already get enough shit from him as it is.
But right now? I’m not even pretending to care.
Dee’s back arches against the lockers, her mouth hot and soft under mine, and I swear I can actually taste her smartass sarcasm on my tongue. She grabs my shirt in both fists and yanks me closer, like she’s daring me to lose control. Alright, Sunshine, let’s see who cracks first.