Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
But Cat didn’t even blink as she entered her number, then rang Faith’s phone. “There, now you’ve got mine. We can get up to all sorts of fun together. And Reuben won’t worry about you because I have Rafael with me.”
Did Mr. Muscles just start to pray?
Poor guy.
Cat stood. “So, do you have a dress and everything?”
“Um, yes. I do.”
“Good. I’ll see you Saturday night.” She halted and turned. “Are you all right here on your own?”
Faith smiled. “I’m fine.”
“Surprised Reuben didn’t take you with him.”
“He wanted to, but I don’t fly.” She shuddered at the thought.
“Worried about the big tin can falling from the sky?” Cat said with a nod. “I get it. Don’t worry, though, Reuben would never let anything happen to you.”
Once Cat was gone, Faith leaned back in her chair with a sigh. That had been a bit . . . crazy? Fun?
Were they really going to become friends? But what if this didn’t work out with Reuben?
Then you’ll be out of a job and a friend.
Fudge knuckles.
Her phone buzzed and she checked it. Relief filled her as she saw Reuben’s name.
“Hi,” she said, answering the call.
“What’s wrong?” Reuben demanded.
She cleared her throat. “Nothing. Why?”
“Because you sound breathless. Were you running? Why were you running?” he demanded.
“Because there was an ax murderer chasing me. But don’t worry, I told him to pause because I had to answer a call from my paranoid boss.”
“Hmm, then while he’s pausing, perhaps you should knock him out. So your paranoid boss can sleep better at night.”
Instantly, she softened. “You’re not sleeping? Wait. You don’t sleep anyway.”
“I usually get a couple of hours. But even those seem to be eluding me.”
“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?” He must be worrying over his sister. She could only imagine. If it was one of her brothers that had been hurt . . .
Then you’d be here and they’d be home. It’s not like you could get to them quickly.
Ouch.
“Fly here and be with me.”
She froze.
Did he . . . did he need her?
Why the hell had she let her fear get the best of her? She should have gone with him.
“Do you need me? I can try and book a ticket for tonight,” she said, already bringing up the search engine on her computer. Her hands were shaking as she tried to type one-handed.
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
“Sir? Reuben?” she asked.
“I thought you were scared of flying,” he said in a low voice.
She frowned, remembering the honesty rule. “I am.” Did he think she was lying?
“But you just offered to fly out here.”
“I . . . you said you weren’t sleeping and that you needed me.” She didn’t understand why he sounded so strange.
“I do need you. I can’t sleep because I’m worrying about you. About Juliet. Fuck. She was my only real vulnerable spot. Until you.”
Why did she feel like she should apologize?
And yet, at the same time, she felt almost elated.
Faith was worried that she wouldn’t live up to his expectations. That she wouldn’t cope with his desires. Reuben Jones was a man who knew what he wanted. And had high standards. She was certain that she’d never meet them.
But if he actually needed her . . . if he truly cared about her . . .
That made a big difference. It made her feel special. Wanted.
Like this could actually work.
“I, uh . . . I am?”
“You are,” he grumbled. “I’m not happy about it.”
And just like that, her mood plummeted. He wasn’t happy that he cared about her?
That. Sucked.
“You’re not? Why? Is it something I did?”
“Why would you immediately assume it was something you did, baby?” he asked in a low voice.
Because she was a fuckup. It was a well-known fact in Public, Missouri.
Faith Blossom was a huge fuckup who’d had to run away from home to get away from the shame . . .
“I just . . . I guess I assumed it was my fault you were unhappy.”
“Don’t make assumptions,” he ordered.
She saluted him. There were some advantages to him not being around. Though not many.
To her surprise, she really missed him.
“No, I’m not upset over anything you’ve done, baby. I’m just . . . I need to be in two places at once. I have to be here for Juliet to make sure her men take proper care of her. But I don’t like leaving you.”
“Oh.”
That was so nice.
She sniffled.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded.
“Nothing.”
“Faith, tell me. Honesty, remember,” he growled at her.
“Does that rule mean that I have to tell you my every thought?” she challenged.
“Yes, it does.”
26
Disbelief filled her. “You’re supposed to say that no, it doesn’t. But that whatever I do tell you should be the truth.”
“Why would I say a stupid thing like that?” he demanded.
“That’s what the hero always says in the romance stories,” she told him.