Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 78(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 52(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 78(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 52(@300wpm)
“Where else are you working?” I knew he was going to ask.
I lift my mug to my lips and mumble behind the ceramic, “The Sterling Rope.”
The way my boss’ eyebrows shoot up tells me he’s heard of the very exclusive club.
He blinks several times and rubs his bottom lip. “What…” he clears his throat, “what are you doing there?” I’m pretty sure I managed to shock my usually unflappable boss.
“I’m bartending.” I mentally roll my eyes. “Four nights a week.”
“How about this? I’ll give you a twenty-five percent raise for now. That should help you catch up.”
“That’s very generous of you.” My salary is already way higher than most of my classmates got right out of college.
“You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had.” I beam at his compliment. “And I need you on top of your game if we’re going to compete with all the other restaurants and bars in town, so I’m investing in my business.”
After doing a quick calculation, I realize the raise he just offered me will more than cover my expenses. I’ll even have a little left to put away each month if I play my cards right.
“Thank you so much.” I rush around the bar and give him a hug before I’m able to stop myself. “I’ll give my two weeks’ notice at The Sterling Rope tonight.”
Well, that’s one worry off my shoulders. Now, I have to hope I can forget about the hot deputy who I’m having a hard time wiping from my thoughts.
I spend the next two nights working late and going home, expecting to sleep like a baby, but my overactive mind has other ideas. Each night I lie awake staring at the ceiling, fantasizing about the hot deputy I can’t seem to forget. By the time Friday morning comes, I’m a sleep-deprived mess and wondering what it will take for me to forget about the hot deputy.
Chapter 2
Cohen
Friday afternoon, I’m sitting in my cruiser, wondering how long I’ll be able to wait before I visit the brewery to check in my little speed demon, when my cell phone rings. I’m debating ignoring the call, but I see my boss’ name pop up on the screen and decide to answer. “Hello.”
“How’s your day going so far?” I can picture the smirk on Sheriff Dillon Armstrong’s face as he asks the question. Since the town sheriff doesn’t ever call to just check in on his deputies, I know something is up.
“Boring.”
“What did you expect in Silver Spoon Falls, Texas?” He laughs. “It’s not exactly the epicenter of criminal activity.” He’s not wrong. Most of the residents are law-abiding millionaires and billionaires looking for a place to hide from the public eye. There is a small criminal element that calls the town home, but they’ve built up a working relationship with the authorities. They keep the drug cartels out of Silver Spoon Falls, and we turn a blind eye to their “activities.”
Two years ago, I was looking for a change after retiring from the military. When an old friend, Giant Carmichael, offered me a bodyguard gig, I jumped at the chance to move to the very wealthy, small Texas town.
Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for me to grow tired of protecting debutantes and wannabe celebrities with more money than brain cells, so I started looking for something else to do.
When the Silver Spoon Falls Sheriff’s Department announced an open deputy position, I jumped at the chance. After a few weeks of patrolling the quiet streets, I’m wondering if I jumped from the frying pan into the fire as boredom threatens to overtake me. That was until a few days ago when a little speed demon roared into my life and turned things upside down with one look.
“Touché.” I take a sip of my hot coffee and glance down at my watch, realizing it’s only been seven minutes since the last time I checked the time. Fuck. I’m not sure I’m cut out for this job either. “Is there a reason for your call?”
I’ve known Dillon for years, and the asshole isn’t the type to call to chat. “I got word that a group of high school kids were planning to cut school and head out to the lake for a little fun in the sun.” I roll my eyes. Every small town is the fucking same.
“I’ll keep an eye out for any trouble.”
“Thanks.” After he hangs up, I flip through the news on my phone, hoping to distract myself from boredom.
At the end of my shift, I drive straight to my secluded cabin on the outskirts of town and take a quick shower. Before I’m able to change my mind, I pull on a black t-shirt and jeans and head right back out.
Since it’s only four-thirty, my little speed demon should still be at the brewery. I’ve been driving by the brewery several times a day and doing nightly runs through The Sterling Rope’s parking lot to see if her little red Mazda is in the parking lot, and I’ve learned her schedule. Today, I’m planning to take my stalker shit one step further since I can’t go another day without seeing her.