Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” she murmurs. “I still want those things. Do you?” She lifts her head to peer up at me.
Pushing the hair out of her eyes, I make sure that I have her attention when I tell her, “I only want them with you. It was our dream, Ells, and I only want to live it with you.”
More tears swim in those baby blues, but they don’t fall. Instead, she offers me a watery smile and places her head back on my chest.
I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly, and I close my eyes, relishing the feel of her. I meant what I said. I’m terrified that something will pull us apart, but this time, I’m geared up and ready for a fight.
Seventeen
Ellison
* * *
The rain thrashes against the windows, and I curl deeper under the blanket I’m cocooned in on the couch. Courtlynn and Leighton both left for the day. They’re going to Nashville for the night with their best friends. It’s only about an hour’s drive, and it’s a good time. Lucky for them, they have concert tickets to see Luke Combs, so they’ll be inside most of the night. It’s supposed to rain like this for the next several hours.
Kinzie’s out of town until Monday. She’s at a vet clinic conference in Cincinnati. So, I’m here all alone. Not that I mind. I’ve been exhausted this week, so a night in, curled up on the couch resting, is exactly what I need.
My phone rings, and I have to wrestle with the covers to free my arms so I can reach it. I catch Copeland’s name before I answer. “Hello.”
“I miss you.”
I smile. Copeland never misses an opportunity to tell me what he’s feeling. His open communication has helped me limp past my fear that this won't work out. It’s been six weeks since the night we hashed out our past and slept together. Six weeks since he told me that he was going to fight for us, and he’s lived by those words. We’ve been on countless dates, and he’s constantly dropping by my office with flowers or snacks, even just for a quick kiss because he was thinking of me.
It’s been six weeks of bliss, and with each day that passes, my worry fades a little more. Copeland has backed up his words with actions, and while six weeks isn’t very long, I know with absolute certainty that this time, we’re going to work. We’ve both learned from the mistakes of our past, and we both want the same thing.
A life with each other.
That’s all I’ve ever wanted, and in my soul, I know that Copeland James is my future, just like I’d always hoped he would be.
“I miss you, too,” I tell him, smiling like a lovesick fool.
“I’m on my way over. Mom is having a sleepover with Colter and Maeve at Chandler’s tonight.”
“I love that. How is she feeling today?”
“Good. Stronger than the last few days. She has chemo again next week, and she wants to spend some time with the kids while she has energy stored up.”
“That makes sense.”
“Do you need anything? I can run to town before I come over.”
“Just you.”
“Ells,” he says, his voice cracking. “You have me, babe. All of me.”
“I know. I’m curled up on the couch, under the blanket, but something is missing.”
“Tell me what you need, and I’ll bring it with me.”
I chuckle. He’s so focused on taking care of me that he missed what I was saying. “You, Copeland. All that’s missing is you.”
“Six minutes, tops,” he says.
“Drive safe.”
“Babe, you’re literally right next door.”
“Most accidents happen within six miles of the home,” I tell him. My parents were right at six miles when they were in their accident.
“I’ll be safe,” he promises.
“Good. The door’s unlocked.”
“Ellison,” he growls, and heat pools between my thighs. Who knew that was so hot? “Don’t leave the damn door unlocked.”
“Magnolia Ridge is safe. Besides, there are all kinds of people milling around the estate.”
“Exactly. Lock the door.”
“You’d better come protect me,” I tease.
“Always, baby. I’ll see you soon.”
I open my mouth to tell him that I love him, but I quickly close it. “I’ll be here,” I tell him before we quickly say our goodbyes and end the call.
Not three minutes later, there’s a knock at the door. “Come in!” I call out.
“Ells.”
Another growl, and it makes me giddy. “Cope,” I say cheerily. He walks into the living room, his feet bare. He doesn’t stop until he’s got his arms braced on the couch, and he’s leaning over me. I’m ready for him to scold me about the door, but instead, he grins. “Hi,” he says, before leaning in and pressing his lips to mine.
I slide my hands behind his neck and hold him to me, pushing my tongue past his lips, and we both groan. Finally, he’s going to take things further—at least, I hope he does—but instead, he eases out of the kiss and stands to his full height. I jut out my bottom lip like a toddler, and I don’t care how it looks.