Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“Yeah, sure,” I say.
That’s not really a lie. It’s not like anything has happened or is going to happen between me and Kayden Hunter. There are only these silly thoughts taunting me in my mind.
“I’d love for you to find happiness, Luna,” he tells me, then snaps his fingers. “There it is.”
He shows me the recipe.
“The things you do for your work,” I say, smiling, filling with pride at the thought of Dad helping veterans.
“I thought she was kidding.” Dad tucks the recipe into his inner pocket. “Assumed she must’ve had another copy. She’s a little kooky. I think she thought this was some serious mission. I’ll get a couple of fellas to help her with the cooking, poor thing.”
“You’re the best, Dad,” I say.
Dad stoops, pulling Buckie into his arms. “Is that right, little man? Am I the best?”
I’m still conscious of the doorbell ringing. Even if Dad said he wouldn’t mind, I know the fact that Kayden’s a veteran would help him be comfortable with it.
What about the age gap, Dad? I almost ask, but bite down. I need him out of here.
“You’ll be here when I get in?” Dad asks, as he leaves the room, Buckie cradled in his arms, the Jack Russell Terrier grinning and licking Dad’s cheek.
“Yes,” I say quickly, knowing otherwise he’ll spend time looking for his keys.
“Why all the boyfriend talk?” Dad says at the door, handing Buckie to me.
I hold the warm bundle as he transfers his affection to me, eagerly licking my cheek.
“That was hypothetical,” I tell him.
Again, not a lie. Nothing has nor is going to happen with me and Kayden.
“I mean it. If he’s a good man, I wouldn’t have a problem with it.”
I wave a hand, and Dad shrugs, chuckling like always, carefree and not worrying too much if he can help it.
“Love you. See you later.”
“See you, Dad.”
He jogs over to his car, drives away, and then a moment later, Kayden pulls up in a sleek sedan. He steps from it wearing a T-shirt with his company’s logo, a dog’s paw with a dagger beside it—a nod to his military origins. His arms bulge from the sleeves of the shirt, his silver hair catching the sunlight. Buckie squirms in my arms, eager to run over to him.
Kayden walks up the pathway toward me, not even a minute after Dad left.
Suddenly, I wonder if I could’ve worn something hotter. Or if I’m standing weird. Or if I’m doing countless things to ruin this moment… as if there’s anything to be ruined.
Newsflash, self—nothing’s ever going to happen between us.
When Kayden has nearly reached me, Jodi’s nephew pulls up in his truck with several of his buddies in the back. I suppress a sigh. They’re going to get loud and act like jerks, the last thing Kayden needs as he tries to focus on Buckie.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Kayden
I glance across the street at the four guys walking up the adjacent pathway to the house. They’re all big, not as tall as me, but pumped up like they’re no strangers to steroids. The man walking at the front has his arms at his sides, like he wants to emphasize his muscles in his tight shirt.
He turns and gives me a nod, the sort I recognize well. It’s like he’s saying, Yeah, I’m a tough guy. What about it?
He’s young. His hair is bright blond and cropped short, his grin full of the cockiness I remember from so many men. The cockiness that was blasted out of them as the job did its work.
I turn away, deciding to ignore them unless they make a problem.
My woman…
Suddenly, it’s an effort to walk. I have to force my movements as I take in the sight of her, standing in tight black jeans, a pink T-shirt pulled over her curvy beautiful breasts as she holds the little rascal. She’s got her hair down this time, so gorgeous as it falls wavily to her shoulders. She can’t know how angelic she appears with it sexy, messy, and sassy, all at once.
She smiles as I reach the bottom of the step, but there’s something shaky about it. Something that makes me want to hold her, kiss her gently, and tell her it’s all going to be all right.
I try to say something charming, something disarming, something to let her know without having to say it… she belongs to me and always will, but there’s that darkness clinging to me. Like if I charge in too fast, the crack of bullets will start, the haze of combat.
“Shall we get started?” I say.
Her expression drops, as though part of her expected more, but she nods.
“He’s excited to see you.”
“Let’s get him in the yard. I’ve got some simple exercises to begin with.”
***
She sits on the rear porch as I work with Buckie, saying little. It’s getting awkward again, or maybe that’s my overactive mind telling me I should say something, make this more than a training session. She looks so beautiful with one leg pulled up, both hands wrapped around it, highlighting her curvy beauty as she rests her chin on her knee.