Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Yeah, walk you home.”
“Why would you do that?”
“No one walks you home after work?” Goosebumps break out across my arms at the gruffness in his words.
“It’s not far, and the parking lots are lit up.” He doesn’t look too happy about my response.
“What are you two yapping about?” June cuts in. I pick up her drink and take a giant sip, needing the liquid courage. I can feel the heat of Jackson’s body so close to mine. I cough when I swallow it. It’s stronger and grosser than I was prepared for.
“Easy.” Jackson’s hand comes down on my back.
“I’m okay.” I cough a few more times. I’m sure this is sexy. Jackson only rubs his hand up and down my back.
“Are you taking me home?” June asks her brother.
“After I walk Paisley home.”
“Cool.” She pulls out her cell phone.
“Go get your shit.” He doesn’t give me a chance to respond. His hands go to my hips, lifting me off the bar stool and putting me on my feet. I sway. He keeps his hold on me. “You good, princess?”
“Why do you keep calling me princess?”
“You look like one.” His fingers stroke down the side of my jaw. I stare up into those gray eyes that have me rooted in place. Is he flirting with me? “Go on. Get your shit.”
“Mm-kay,” I agree.
Right now I think I might agree to anything he asked.
7
JACKSON
“How drunk are you?” I ask my sister.
“Why?” Not drunk enough that she doesn’t know I’m plotting something.
“Don’t let Paisley go home with you.”
“What?” Her brows furrow together.
“She’s going to need a place to stay, and you’re not going to offer her one.”
“Okay, I’m tipsy for sure cause I have no clue what you’re talking about.” June sits up straighter, her curiosity now piqued. She sips her drink while waiting for me to explain. I don’t have fucking time.
“Trust me. I’ll be taking her home with me.”
“Whoa. Wait a second.”
“June, you think I’d take advantage of her?”
“No.” She laughs. “I’m just shocked you want to take a girl home. Been waiting for you to tell me you’re gay for years now. I was gonna guess Blu was your man.”
“Are you done?”
“For now.” She smirks while taking another sip. “Is she in trouble?”
“Maybe.”
“Seriously.” June sets her drink down, getting serious.
“Not going to let anything happen to her.”
“She’s running, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I kinda thought so. Living in a motel but got thousand-dollar Sophia Webster tennis shoes on.” I don’t know what the hell June is going on about, but I’m impressed with how observant she is. She should really pursue a career in law enforcement. She would make a killer detective.
“Sophia Webster what?”
June waves her hand. “All her stuff. It’s expensive.”
“Well—” I stop speaking when Paisley returns.
My eyes drop to those damn jean shorts showing off her full thighs. My mouth goes dry. The girl is shaped like a woman. Most of the women that run in the elite circles that she does are rail thin. I bet Paisley stood out in that crowd.
“I guess I’m ready,” she singsongs. Her eyes are glassy. Good. That might make this easier.
“Your tips.” Cole sets a pile of cash on the bar.
“Thanks.” Paisley stuffs it down into her oversized bag.
“Come on, princess.” I take her elbow, not trusting myself to touch her anywhere else. I’ve tried to keep some distance between us, but I always found myself leaning into her to talk, wanting in her personal space. Get another whiff of the sugary strawberry smell that radiates from her.
“Let me find my keys.” Paisley starts digging in her purse, not paying attention to where she’s going or who’s around. A few groups of people are still lingering in the parking lot talking and drinking beers.
“Night, Jackson,” I hear a female call.
“You’re popular with the ladies.” Paisley almost slips on the gravel, but I wrap my arm around her waist, gripping her hip. “Oops.” A giggle pops from her. “You’re handy. I’m always tripping. My mother says I have two left feet and no center of gravity. She swears if I lost a few pounds then maybe I wouldn’t be so clumsy.”
Irritation digs into me. I sink my fingers into her hip, loving how soft she is compared to me. “Don’t think your mother knows what she’s talking about.”
“Don’t tell her that.” An adorable snort comes from her.
“Paisley!” Elliot, the owner and manager of the Crescent Motel, comes walking quickly out of the lobby entry. Perfect timing.
“We have an issue that is urgent. We need to get you moved out of your room.”
“What?” She stops walking.
“There are some pipes leaking, and they need to rip out one of your walls to get to it.”
“Right now?” She scrunches her nose.
“Yes, we had to shut the water off. They need to repair the leak and let everything dry out.” I can’t believe this is what Elliot came up with, but it’s what I have to work with.