Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
He chuckles, and I try not to be jealous at the way they’re smiling at each other. I clear my throat. “Thanks again, Tate.”
He jerks his head, surprised by the dismissive tone in my voice. Even Ellie notices it and looks at me curiously.
Tate doesn’t take any offense; he just smiles at me knowingly. “Well, let me know if you have any problems with it or anything. Have a good night, you two.”
I wave at him and put my arm around Ellie’s shoulders. “Your car is right over there.”
She walks beside me. “What was that about? Did I miss something?”
I ignore her question because jealousy is still raging through me. “Promise me you’ll let me know if you have any problems with your car… or anything, for that matter.”
She stops walking, and because I have an arm around her shoulder, I stop too. “You okay?”
She points toward the garage. “What was that about? Between you and Tate?”
I could lie to her and tell her nothing. It’s not like I’m comfortable with this new feeling. I don’t think I’ve ever been jealous before, and it doesn’t feel right. “It was nothing.”
She frowns. “Look, if him fixing my car has caused some kind of problem between you two—”
“What? No, that’s not it.” I huff out a breath and stroke my hand through my beard. “Look, he was smiling at you…”
I let my voice trail off, and even as I do, I know I sound ridiculous, but I’m being honest with her. Her mouth is hanging open, and she shuts it quickly. “Wait, you didn’t like that he smiled at me?”
I shake my shoulders. “What? No. I mean yes. Okay, look, I just don’t want him flirting with you, that’s all.”
She points at herself. “Flirting with me? He’s married. His wife is a model. She’s beautiful.”
I point at her. “You’re beautiful.”
She opens her mouth, closes it, and starts to walk toward her car before stopping and turning to face me. She holds her hand out, and I place her keys in it. She asks me in amazement, “So…just so we’re clear and on the same page…you were jealous?”
I laugh. “Trust me, I’m just as surprised as you are about it. Yes, I am jealous. I was jealous when Lucas made the suggestion for you to work with Austin at the distillery, and I was jealous when I thought Tate was looking at you with interest.” I throw my hands up in the air. “I don’t know if that makes you mad or if I should apologize to you for it, but I can’t. I just can’t.”
It’s as if I can see the questions forming in her head, but she doesn’t put voice to any of them. She comes toward me and puts her hands at my waist before sliding them around me and pressing them to my back. The hug is everything. I put my hands on her back and hold her to me. Because I can’t resist, I lean down and press my lips to the top of her head. Already, this woman has me completely addicted. I rest my cheek against her hair. I could stay right here and be a happy man, but having her this close has me on edge. I want more, a lot more, and as soon as she’s ready, I’ll be waiting.
“Come on, honey. Let’s get you home.”
Her voice is muffled, but I can plainly make out what she says. “Thank you for my car, the job, for everything, Huddy.”
She pulls away, and with my arm around her shoulder, I walk her to her car. I open the door, and she gets in. I’m standing next to it with one hand on the door. I know I need to let her go even though I don’t want to. I lean down to look at her. “I’m going to follow you to your house and make sure you get inside safe and sound.”
She starts to argue, but the look I give her has her smiling. “Okay.”
She rolls down the window, and I back up and shut her car door. She’s smiling as she turns the key and it starts right up. The smile she gives me is worth every penny I paid to have her car fixed. I bang my hand along the roof of the car and start walking to my truck. I only stop when I hear her call my name.
“You may want to be careful, Huddy.”
“Why?” I ask her, wondering if she’s about to finally tell me about her past.
She says it jokingly, but I catch the seriousness of what she’s saying. “Because if you’re not careful, I’m going to get used to this.”
Fuck, that’s exactly what I want. I want her to depend on me, to be happy and feel safe with me. I want her to know that I’m here for her. My hands fist at my sides. “That’s not a bad thing, Ellie.”