Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
MONROE
I should have told Shaw the moment we arrived. This is a hoax. A lie. A waste of everyone’s time and money.
Just like me.
But I had to get away; I needed to extricate myself from my mother's controlling antics. I couldn’t stand being told what to do, say, or eat anymore. My entire life had been one command after another. Then Shaw touched me; he stood up for me. And he believes I’m worth more than a crown.
How in the world am I supposed to give that up?
Nonetheless, I can’t continue lying to him anymore. He deserves the truth.
“What did you hear?” Shaw’s steady voice breaks the deafening silence after my confession.
Unable to meet his stare, I murmur, “She hired someone to stalk me to keep me under her control.” God, I hate her.
“I don’t know when it started or who it is; I don’t even know everything that’s been done.
” Being left in the dark is not new to me; it’s been that way most of my life, but this has gone too far.
“Monroe, look at me.” When I don’t immediately lift my head, a gentle finger touches my chin, nudging me to glance up at him. “What she's done, the lies she tells, it has no effect on how I feel about you. Get that thought out of your head right now.”
I want to believe him.
“I suspect you're right about your mother. She was the first one we looked into, as well. However, the person she hired has become transfixed with you. Whatever role they were playing has become reality, and you are in danger.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’ve spent time with you. You’re one in a million, and there isn’t a man on earth who wouldn’t become obsessed once he’s begun to learn who you are.
” The intensity in his stare encourages my belief in him.
“I’ll catch this guy, Monroe. I’ll make sure your mother is met with justice, and when you’re ready, I’ll help you set up a new life wherever you want. ”
Here, I want to scream, but I’m afraid of being rejected.
With a sharp nod, I turn back to the mountain, enjoying the array of colors from the sunset. Mindy was right; I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.
The longer we sit, the darker it gets, and the quiet soon turns into the nocturnal sounds of nature—animals in the distance: owls hooting, wolves howling, and other critters scurrying through the trees and long blades of grass.
“Come on, it’s time to get you home.” Shaw helps me to my feet, and together we pick up what we brought. Lifting me into the saddle, he leads Ripper by the reins on foot.
It would be a lie if I said I didn’t prefer him behind me, holding me, keeping me warm as a chill whispers through the air. However, it’s safer this way because the only light remaining is from the last rays of sun and the appearance of the moon. Most of which is hidden by the mountaintops.
“Shaw.” I say his name as we reach the barn, and he helps me down.
He stops, giving me his undivided attention.
“Thank you for tonight.” Finding the right thing to say is difficult after being ignored most of my life.
“It was a beautiful experience. It helped bring things into perspective for me, and I don’t think I’d have found that anywhere else in the world. ” Or with anyone else.
Shadows hide his eyes from me, but when his hands move up my body, I step into him, and he pulls me close. Leaning down, he whispers against my lips, “Darlin’, I’d do anything for you.”
He takes advantage when I gasp, sweeping his tongue between my lips, flicking it against my own, and deepening the kiss until my heart pounds furiously and my knees go weak. The man knows what he’s doing as my body lights up for him.
Anticipation causes wetness to pool between my legs in a way I’ve never experienced before. I want everything he promised in those wildflowers, and I want them now. But I realize the wait will make everything sweeter. Especially once we both know I’m safe.
As he pulls away, I whimper, making him chuckle as he grinds his bulge against my stomach and cups my ass, holding me tight to his body.
“Go say goodnight to Marilyn; I know she’d love that. I’ll be in once I’ve got Ripper settled.”
I can only nod because the heat of our kiss has stolen my sanity. He swats my ass playfully as I do as I’m told.
The porch light flickers when I’m in range of its sensors, and Marilyn is there waiting for me at the fence. As soon as she spots me, she lets out a sound of what I hope is excitement and greets me with a few head bobs until my hands are on her.
“Hello, sweet girl, I’m sorry I’m late.” Every night since I arrived, I’ve been here to say good night to her before sundown. It’s become a routine for us and one I wouldn’t change for anything.
Resting my head against hers, she brings a peacefulness I’ve only ever felt with this animal. My heart rate slows down, and my mind clears as we cuddle.
“Do you think he’d let me stay?” I whisper to the cow, knowing I’ll get no reply. “Do you think he could love me?” Silence again, but she nudges me for more chin scratches, and we stand in silence as I wait on the man who has stolen every piece of my heart.