AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s okay if you’re not there yet,” she says. “I don’t need the words. But I do need you to know how I feel.”
The words sit on the tip of my tongue. I feel them in every fiber of my being, but fear keeps me from pushing them out. Everything between us is happening so fast, and while I want it, I’m not sure Mo fully understands what she’ll be getting in to. She hasn’t been a part of my professional life. She doesn’t realize the time constraints it puts on my personal life—how much time I spend traveling and interacting with my fans. What if it’s too much for her, and she decides she can’t do it? Her life hasn’t been fully her own in six years. It isn’t even now.
I love her—of course I love her. It was silly of me to ever pretend otherwise. But once I say it, it’s out there, and I’m totally exposed again. We have so much more to talk about, to live through. I need to be sure she’s certain before I give her this last sliver of myself.
Reaching for her face, I curl my hands around her neck, pull her to me, and pour every emotion I feel for her into our kiss. The sun dips below the horizon, bringing with it a blanket of stars as I make love to Mo for a second time, showing with my body what I’m still afraid to say.
Monroe
The bell above the door rings as Claire breezes into Animal Haven.
“Mom said you were working late,” she says, holding up two containers of Chinese food. “Thought you could use some fuel, and selfishly, I was bored at home by myself.”
“I’m starving,” I groan, reaching for one of the containers she sets on my desk. “I hope you brought some forks.”
She digs around in her purse. “I came prepared.” She tosses me a set of utensils, and I tear through the plastic an
d open the container.
The scent of pepper steak makes my mouth water. “You are too good to me,” I say.
She sighs as she takes her first bite.
The door flies open again and Rhett walks in, wearing nothing but a pair of low-slung Wranglers and brown boots. His cell is wedged between his shoulder and ear, and beads of sweat drip down his chest. Ruby is a few steps behind him. Her arthritic hips make it hard to keep up, but if Rhett’s around, she wants to be next to him.
Can’t say I blame her.
“I want to lick him,” Claire whispers.
“I have licked him.”
“Bitch.”
I grin and take another bite. Claire and I eat silently as Rhett finishes his call. He tucks his cell in his pocket and gives us an easy smile.
I swallow hard. This man is going to be the death of me, and Claire too, for that matter.
She clears her throat. “I didn’t know you were here or I would’ve brought more food.”
“That’s okay.” He pulls out the shirt he had tucked in the back of his jeans and wipes it over his face. “I’m going to have dinner with Trevor and Coop. It’s Thursday, which means five-dollar wings.”
Claire perks up at the mention of Trevor, and I make a mental note to ask her about that after Rhett leaves.
“You ladies are more than welcome to join us, if you’d like.”
“Woof!”
Rhett looks down at Ruby and smiles. “Don’t worry, pretty girl, I’ll bring you left overs.”
Ruby’s tail thumps against the floor as Rhett pats her head.
“Where is Pickles?” he asks, looking around the room.
I shrug. “Who knows? He’s been in feline heaven since I gave him free reign of the place. Knowing him, he’s probably in the back prancing in front the dogs, taunting them.”
“So, he’s officially an Animal Haven house pet?” Claire asks.
“For now, unless he does something wrong. I warned him that he’s on a ninety-day probation period.”
