Page 116 of Against the Clock

“Take me home,” I demand. “Take me home right now.”

CHAPTER 44

DANIEL

I can’t even talk the whole way home. Kelsey’s quiet too, and I’m thankful the stupid fucking ball wasn’t more than thirty minutes from my house.

I keep glancing over at her, making sure she’s okay. Making sure that fucking dick didn’t do more than scare her. What a fucking asshole.

I wanted to hurt him. I wanted to make him regret even thinking about her.

Mine.

Kelsey Cole is mine. She said she loves me.

I’m going to marry her, and the idea of anyone else fucking touching her is making me insane.

Finally, I pull into the driveway and the truck jerks as I throw it into park.

“Daniel,” she says softly, her eyes wide with concern.

“I’m going to carry you inside.”

“I can walk. I don’t need help—”

“I need to carry you inside. I need to make sure you’re okay.” I have to hold her. I have to touch her. I don’t know how I can fucking look at that bastard Rhett again. The whole way here, I just got angrier and angrier.

I throw the passenger door open, and Kelsey’s bare thigh is the first thing I see.

I want her so bad I can hardly fucking stand it.

“Need you,” I grit out. I put my hand under her thighs and lift her from the truck, barely registering the strain on my bad shoulder.

Barely registering anything beyond her. Her arms go to my neck, wrapping around it, and I’m glad to see she’s at least stopped shaking.

“I need you too,” she says on an exhale, and I jog to the front door, sliding the key in and unlocking it in record time.

“You’re all wrapped up like a fucking present,” I tell her. “I can’t wait to take this dress off and see what’s underneath.”

“I forgot my coat at the ball,” she says.

“You’re not going to need it tonight.”

The door slams shut behind me, and my fingers fumble on the lock before I charge into my bedroom.

Kelsey’s breathing hard, her breasts straining at the top of the gold-colored gown. Groaning, I set her down on the bed and she bounces slightly, staring up at me with desire in her eyes, everything I want.

“I love you,” she murmurs, so soft it’s barely audible.

The words reverberate through me, though, and I hike her skirt up, tugging at the delicate fabric.

She lets out a little laugh, her hands skimming over my shirt, untucking it from the waist of my pants. Her hands are cold on my skin and I shiver as she runs them up my torso.

“I love you, Kelsey Cole,” I tell her, and then my fingers find the delicate hidden zipper at her back, and I slowly pull it down, reveling in the bare flesh it reveals.

A low sigh tears from her lips and I groan as the dress falls away from her.

She’s nude underneath.

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