Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
So despite the fact that it would probably send a hurricane of problems her way, she slid her hand into Hux’s and let him help her down.
He didn’t keep hold of her hand once she was standing. He stepped back and let go as though her touch was burning him.
Don’t be offended.
So he doesn’t want to touch you . . . it doesn’t mean anything.
And it was probably better that he didn’t keep hold of her. That would just annoy Jonathan even more.
“Chloe,” Jonathan said, stepping forward. He was wearing a white linen shirt and dark pants. In his midfifties, he was actually getting more good looking with age. A full head of hair that was going slowly gray, charming on the surface, with power and money, women flocked to him.
But not her.
And against these two men, he completely paled into near non-existence.
Or he would have if it wasn’t for that twitching hand.
“I woke up to find you gone,” he continued to say as he moved closer to her. “Are you all right?”
He ran his gaze over her. To someone else, he might have appeared concerned about her.
But she knew he was probably cataloging her state. That she was messy and sweaty. And everything he didn’t like her to be.
“Yes. Sorry. I apologize for worrying you, I should have left a note.”
She’d meant to return well before he got up. What was he doing up already?
“That’s all right, as long as you’re okay. Did something happen?” He glanced over at the other two men. “It’s probably not a good idea to run in a strange location alone.”
“I went running with Ms. Reed to make sure she was safe,” Hux said stiffly. “She grew a bit dizzy, probably the time difference and the heat. So Owen brought out the ATV to pick her up so she didn’t have to run back.”
“Goodness, I’m glad you were there, then. Chloe, you have to be more careful.”
She smiled and nodded. She knew what she was supposed to do and say. “You’re quite right.” She turned to Hux and Owen. “Thank you so much for your help today. I really appreciate it and I apologize for causing so much trouble.”
“No trouble,” Hux drawled, giving her a strange look.
Owen just sat there not saying anything. But she did notice that his gaze was focused on Jonathan.
Shit. She hoped the older man didn’t notice.
He might take offense.
Then Owen turned his gaze to her. “Rest today.”
Damn.
He was so bossy. But instead of getting all prickly at his commanding tone, her traitorous body melted.
It liked his bossiness.
Maybe because he was concerned about her welfare.
“Thanks again,” she said. She needed to get rid of them both. Quickly. She headed toward Jonathan. Damn it, he wouldn’t like that she’d been standing closer to Hux than him.
Sometimes, it was super tricky keeping on his good side. Doing everything he wanted. Usually she did much better than this . . . she was just out of sorts this morning.
A rest actually sounded really good.
“Where’s Beck?” Owen asked suddenly as she reached Jonathan.
He wrinkled his nose. It was a subtle movement, one the other two likely didn’t even see, but he got his message across crystal clear.
She stank.
She was messy.
Dirty.
“I believe he went to check on whether he could track you both,” Jonathan said. “Ah, here he is.”
She watched as Beck moved toward them. He was a huge guy. But muscular. He looked like he could pick her up with one arm and carry her around.
Why did she like the idea of that? Why did the thought of him cradling her against that wide chest make her legs go weak? Make her heart race and her body tremble?
You’ve got problems, Chloe.
Big problems.
“You might want to stop drooling, my dear,” Jonathan whispered.
Her spine went straight. Shit.
She really had to get a tighter hold on her emotions. This was ridiculous.
“Chloe, you’re all right!” Beck’s relief was clear and Jonathan hummed under his breath.
He’d remembered to call her Chloe. Only, ma’am might have been best under the circumstances.
“Yes, thank you, I’m sorry to have caused a bother,” she murmured.
“Beck! I’m heading out there, they must be . . .” Judd slammed to a stop as he saw them all standing there.
His gaze went to hers immediately.
And he scowled.
She was beginning to think that might be a semi-permanent look for him. Or maybe it was just when she was around. Perhaps the rest of the time, he was a happy-go-lucky guy. Maybe he cracked jokes and was the life of the party.
She didn’t think so . . . but it was possible.
“Um, hi,” she said awkwardly. “Sorry for worrying you all. But as you can see, I’m fine.”
Judd’s gaze moved over her again . . . this time more slowly. Jonathan stood closer to her. Was Jonathan being supportive or possessive? Hard to know.