Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Hey,” he said with a nudge. “You’re supposed to be telling me more about the worst customer you had.”
“Hands down,” she said, letting her head drop forward because it was too much to hold it up. No wonder her daughter loved having this done. It was heavenly. “Mr. Tomlinson.”
“Doesn’t he own Critters & More?”
“That’s the one. It’s not that he’s rude, because he isn’t. Not really. But you never know what kind of creature he’s going to have in his pocket. And I have to tell you, I’m not a fan of critters or the numerous other things he’s brought in.”
“Like real things that should be in cages?”
“Yes, he wanted them to get some fresh air.” She shuddered. “Nothing like trying to pour coffee when some huge ass Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is looking at me like I would make its next meal.” A full body shudder. “Madagascarnian? I don’t know what it would be. Don’t care.”
“Isn’t that like a health code violation?”
“On so many levels.”
He kissed her neck. “Sorry.”
“It is not something I have to deal with this second, so I’ll be okay.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for brushing out my hair.”
“Want pigtails?”
“No, I’m not exactly a pigtail-wearing kind of girl.”
“You can rock anything, Freckles. Although I’d be lying if I didn’t say my favorite on you is either my shirt or nothing.”
She flushed.
He placed his chin on her shoulder. “I spoke to Dawson and Tully while you were sleeping. They’re fine with Greer staying and Mitchell and my Pops know what’s going on, too.”
“Is this your way of saying we’re heading to see him?”
“Yes. We’ll leave early and be there when he’s walking in.”
She didn’t feel good about this but he had a point. She needed to know what Paul was up to.
“Not leaving tonight?” She finished putting her hair up in a ponytail.
Linc wound an arm around her middle. “No. I have plans for you tonight that don’t include me driving my truck.”
She looked at him over her shoulder. “Does it have to do with balls and a stick?”
His grin melted her insides. “Yes. And a very big head.” He lowered his face to hers. “Unless you disagree.”
Nipping her lower lip, she spread her hand over his chest as she twisted to face him. “I had a look but I think I should take a much better look.” Leaning nearer to him, she flicked her tongue along his lip. “All about the details, you know.”
Pushing him with one hand, she straddled his legs and stared at his hard length. “Lots and lots of details,” she mumbled as she reached for him.
At the ass-crack of dawn, Emma sat in the passenger seat of Linc’s truck, heading to confront Greer’s sperm donor. Emma’s nerves ratcheted up the closer they got to Montpelier. The moment she’d left the sanctuary of the mountains that allowed her to blend in and hide, her anxiety rose. Linc didn’t look like anything bothered him. He mouthed the words of the music playing as they drove.
Overhead, the sky was gray with rain-filled clouds. She felt the same way. Like one poke and she would explode all over everyone. Taking a deep breath, she smoothed her hand down her slacks. The huge ring on her hand helped to calm her. But it wasn’t easy.
The man at her side looked like he’d just strolled off the set of a GQ photoshoot for sexy casual day. His dark indigo jeans were distressed in some places but she knew how well they fit him. How they hung low on his lean hips, making her want to give a brief tug and have them fall down over his strong thighs and that ass. Holy shit, his ass was incredible.
He had the sleeves pushed up of a heather gray Henley, showing off those porn-worthy forearms and tattoos. He wore a pair of Oakley sunglasses like the ones he wore when he played ball. And a baseball cap. It wasn’t one from his team but Mitchell’s former professional basketball team, the Monterey Leviathans.
She moaned and shifted on the seat. He’d awakened something in her, Linc had. Something she’d been convincing herself she had well under control.
He didn’t speak but he picked up her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it before settling it on his leg. With a deep breath, Emma calmed down.
Which was great until they parked near the capitol building. Her breathing became erratic once more. Linc helped her down, holding her against him before stepping back.
“Ready?”
“Not even remotely.”
He looked at her. “Want me to do this?”
Did she ever. “No. I have to face him.”
Linc offered her his arm and they headed to the entrance. It took a few moments for them to look over the board and find out where he was. They sank into some chairs in the hall while they waited. She brought her phone to life and found the first image of Greer.