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)
Shaking his head, Judd turned and knocked on the door.
No answer.
Shit. Either she was so angry she didn’t want to open the door, or . . .
Before he could stop him, Judd opened the door and stormed inside.
“Fuck, man,” he whispered. “You’re going to get us arrested at this rate.”
“I was concerned for her welfare.”
So full of shit.
They heard snoring coming from one of the bedrooms. Then across the luxurious lounge area, the other bedroom was empty. The bed was made. If it wasn’t for her scent drifting through the air, he might have thought she hadn’t slept in there last night.
But it was there . . . sugar cookies and cinnamon.
Delicious.
“We need to fucking find her.”
Beck sighed. “Just chill. I’ll get Hux onto it.” They likely needed to smooth some ruffled feathers, and Hux was the best guy to do that.
Chloe pushed herself until her muscles burned. Until everything else faded away.
Running was the only time she felt free.
When she could make the world disappear.
At least she would have been able to if not for the cowboy standing in her path. She slowed slightly as she came up to him.
“Should I pretend it’s a coincidence that you’re out jogging at the same time I am?” she asked dryly, eyeing his very short shorts and sleeveless top. Damn, the man was muscular.
How had he known where she was, though?
At least it wasn’t Judd. She couldn’t handle any more of Grumpzilla without wanting to strangle him. Slowly.
“No need,” Hux replied in his Texan drawl. Which she would find incredibly charming under other circumstances.
Hell, who was she kidding? It was still charming and she wasn’t immune. Not by a long shot.
But she had to pretend that she was because if Jonathan had any inkling of her attraction . . . yeah, she didn’t want to think about that temper tantrum.
No, thank you.
She had enough issues to deal with as it was.
“Got a call from Beck who said Judd had his panties in a twist over you running on your own, so they sent me to come with you.”
“You like running?” she asked.
“Nope, can’t stand it.”
“Then why would they send you?”
“Beck doesn’t run. He’s too muscular. You should see him when he does, he looks like a hippo thumping along.” He laughed.
“He’s not that big.”
“All muscle, and that muscle weighs a lot. He needs to ease up on the weights. Anyway, Beck doesn’t run. Judd and Owen usually run daily.”
“So why not send one of them?” she asked.
“Because they don’t like you.”
Ouch. That was blunt.
“Don’t take offense, though,” he added cheerfully. “They don’t like anyone.”
Right. That made her feel so much better.
For some silly reason, she wanted them to like her.
Idiot.
“So, by default, it’s me you’re stuck with.” He smiled widely. “Lucky you, huh?” He held his arms out wide.
She barely held back a snort. Thought a lot of himself, didn’t he?
“Yes, lucky me. The thing is, I like to run fast and hard. And I’m not going to hold myself back just so you can keep watch over me when I’m perfectly safe. So why don’t you just run or walk on home and let me keep on?”
He sighed. “Listen, darlin’, if I could, I would. Believe me. I was tucked up in my bed with a cup of coffee and buttery toast, and I wish I was still there. But Judd has it in his head that you’re not safe, so here I am. Just doing my job. You wouldn’t stop a guy from doing his job, would you?”
She didn’t trust that smile of his. No one could be that friendly.
“I can’t stop you from following me around,” she told him. “But I’m not waiting for you, either.” She dodged around him and took off once again.
His legs were longer than hers so maybe he’d be able to keep up. But it wasn’t her problem if he couldn’t. She glanced around as she ran, it was so beautiful here. She swore she could almost smell the ocean.
Behind her, she heard a groan and smiled as she pushed herself harder.
Maybe he’d give up and give her the peace and quiet she craved.
Only . . . she wasn’t sure that she was craving peace and quiet. She shook her head at herself. What was wrong with her? She’d been on her own for a long time. Well, other than Jonathan. But he kept her isolated. Which was probably for the best.
She didn’t need anyone else.
She wasn’t lonely.
And she didn’t find these guys attractive or interesting.
Also . . . she was a liar.
A stinking, rotten liar.
4
Hux was dying.
He was about to expire of a heart attack. And he blamed fucking Judd.
Go keep an eye on the pretty girl while she runs around the grounds. Get close to her. Be nice. Be her friend. Be charming.