Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
“Get out!” she shouts, pointing at the door. She turns and spots me. “Both of you! Out!”
Cameron stands firm like an immovable statue. “We’ll go, Mercedes. But let Katie get her things first. All of them.”
“Hey, you don’t make the rules here, pal—” the strange man starts to say, but Cameron cuts him off.
“Shut your mouth. No one’s talking to you.” Even from this far away, I can see the glint of violence in Cam’s eyes, and I don’t blame the man for taking a step back and looking away. Cam turns to me. “Get what you need, baby. We’re leaving.”
My mom scoffs as I head back into my room and start packing. “Baby now is it? You’re pathetic! You’re nothing, and you’ll always be nothing!”
Her voice is cold, piercing, and fills me with anxiety. I need to get out of here. I should have been gone a long time ago. This is a new beginning for both of us. Cam’s garage, his dreams, our future.
I hear my mom cursing at me as I stuff clothes into a bag, but I’m his now. His.
7
CAMERON
TWO WEEKS LATER…
It’s been fourteen days since I took Katie from that trailer, Mercedes’ curses following us like toxic smoke from a burning building. Fourteen nights in the tiny apartment above Sal’s shop where he lets me stay in exchange for the extra hours I put in. Fourteen mornings where I’ve woken up and found her lying next to me like a dream, a fantasy.
I transferred the money last night. I did it. And she has no idea. Maybe buying this place and building something honest will make up for the way I took her. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I show her. And I didn’t drain my account either. Fifty thousand is what I needed, but I saved up sixty-three, so I still had thirteen left.
I did, until I bought the ring…
Katie sleeps beside me now, her body curved into mine like it was designed to fit there. Even now, lost in whatever dream she’s having, her body moves against mine, seeking warmth, her hand gripping my thigh as if to confirm I’m still where I’m supposed to be.
Not going anywhere, darling.
And that possessiveness goes both ways. I love my hands up her shirt, my fingers threaded through her hair, her legs wrapped around mine while she piggybacks on me. It’s an addiction–a mutual dependency.
I’m rock hard as I pull back the sheets and stare at her perfect little bare ass. All I want to do is spread her open and slide inside—wake her up with the fucking of her life like I’ve done so many times. I know she’s wet, just like she is every morning when she wakes up beside me.
But I don’t. I can’t. Not now. Not this morning. We have things to do. I have somewhere to be, with her. And it can’t wait. Besides, I’ll make sure she gets every inch when we get there.
“Katie, baby,” I whisper softly, rubbing her shoulder. “Wake up.”
She stirs gently, her gorgeous eyes fluttering open, still soft with sleep. They sharpen when she sees me, and the edges of her mouth twist up, forming the cutest smile. “Hey, there. What is it, Daddy?”
Still can’t get enough of her calling me that. I never knew I had that kink or fetish or whatever you want to call it, but hearing that name come out of her lips just gets me even harder.
“Get up. Get dressed. I’ve got something to show you.”
“Oh?” she asks as she gets up. She’s excited, which fills me with joy.
The morning air is still cold as we go to the truck and drive through the empty streets. I rest my hand on her leg, and she rests her head on my shoulder. It’s been weeks now, and yet every time I touch her, my body reacts like it’s the first time. It’s incredible.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” she asks, her voice playful as she rubs against me like a loving house cat.
“No. That would ruin the surprise.”
She makes a soft noise beside me, indicating her interest. When we finally reach the building, sitting just off Route 9, her eyes go wide. She recognizes it instantly. And why wouldn’t she? She went over my notebook—the layout, where each room would be, the parking.
“Cam, is this—?” she asks as I pull in and cut the engine. I turn to her, glowing on the inside. I’ve never been prouder in my life. I’m taking the next step, and I have her by my side.
“Bought it yesterday.” I nod. “Signed the papers while you were out at the store.”
I pull the keys from my pocket and dangle them in front of her face, her pupils dilated with disbelief.