Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 105231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Damn it. The last thing he wanted was her staying in Rory’s apartment.
“No need,” Jace said. “I’ll be staying with her.”
“Are you sure?” Caren asked.
“I am,” Jace replied before leading Rory away.
Caren watched after them worriedly.
“Don’t worry about Rory,” Travis told her. “Jace won’t let anything happen to her.”
She let out a deep breath. “I know, I didn’t think he would. I’m just concerned about her state of mind.”
“You’re a good friend to Lacey and to Rory, you know that?” he asked.
Did he know how much those words meant to her? Because she’d never felt like a good friend to Lacey, she’d always felt like a burden. A hassle.
“Thanks,” she said hoarsely.
“Come on, Goldie, I’ll take you home. You look tired.”
She wrinkled her nose. Not what she wanted to hear. “I need to go to the toilet first.”
He nodded and walked her over. “I’ll be waiting outside.”
Heading in, she glanced at herself in the mirror. She did look tired. Drat.
She walked into a stall and sat. The door to the bathroom opened and she heard several women enter. When one of them said Travis’s name she froze, listening in.
“Did you see the sub with Master Travis?” one of them asked.
“Yeah, she’s really cute. I love her hair.”
Oh that was nice.
“And her style,” another said. “But she’s not the type I expected him to go for.”
Caren winced. Not that she could blame them for thinking that. Travis was filet mignon while she was more like Spam in a can.
“I know,” another said. “He went on a date with a friend of mine. You know Jocelyn? She’s tall and gorgeous. So smart. A lawyer. Anyway, she never heard from him again. I couldn’t believe it. She was exactly who he’s looking for. He wants someone who has their life together. Who is calm and doesn’t add any drama to his life. I know that because he told some mutual friends of Jocelyn’s that was what he was looking for in a long-term relationship. Someone who isn’t a burden.”
“Wow,” the other one said. “Well, I guess his life is crazy enough. He wants some peace when he gets home.”
They left and she sat there another minute before leaving. When she walked out, Travis studied her for a long moment.
“What happened?” he demanded.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you were in there for ages and when you came out, you looked like you’d seen a ghost. What is it?”
“Um, it doesn’t matter.”
To her surprise, he just took her hand and led her out of the club and into Kane’s office. Picking her up, her set her down on his desk.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he moved between her open legs.
“I’m going to give you one more chance to tell me what’s wrong. And I should warn you that if you lie again and say it’s nothing, I am going to spank your ass until it’s red and sitting becomes a distant memory.”
“Do you want a woman who’s not a hassle?” she blurted out. “Who doesn’t give you any issues or drama? Who has her life together? Because I’m not that person.”
He shook his head and she thought he would deny it. Then he let out a huff of laughter. What was so funny? This wasn’t amusing.
“Not sure how you know that, but since you seemed to find out in the bathroom, I’m going to guess it was some subs with big mouths.”
“Does it matter how I know?”
“No. What matters is that you know this.” He grasped hold of her chin. “I thought I wanted that. I thought I wanted easy and peaceful. For years, I never wanted to be with anyone because I knew that I would be overprotective and overbearing. Because I know the world can be a dangerous place and that they would be mine to take care of. So I thought that if I did get involved with someone, it would be a woman who led a calm, boring life. Who would never be in danger. But you know what?”
“No,” she said hoarsely, not liking where this was going.
“I would have been bored silly after a week. Because what I want is fun and color. I want a woman who, when she laughs, it’s with her whole body. I want a woman who isn’t afraid to be who she wants to be. Who will do whatever is necessary for a friend because she loves fiercely and is loyal to her core. I want a woman who might come with issues and drama, but she is fucking worth it. That woman is you.”
“Oh.”
That was all she had to say? So eloquent. Then she threw herself at him. “I want you too.”
He chuckled. “I know you do, baby. Come on, we’re heading home.”
31
Caren was pretty certain that she was never going to walk again.