Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Good. Because you’re not my type.”
“Good. Because I’m a bad bet.”
But maybe just for now…
I let myself melt into him and he pulls me closer, his scent more intoxicating that Columbian cocaine. If I knew what it was like… which I don’t.
“Two minutes. Then you can leave,” I mumble. With my face plastered against his hard chest covered in an Army t-shirt, my eyes drift shut.
“Hmm,” is the last thing I hear.
Chapter 10
Turning points: the topic of today’s unauthorized TED Talk. Turning points can be both good and bad. The problems creep in when you’re not sure which it is.
The morning after Pepper’s passing, I awakened at dawn to find myself being nuzzled by Hazel and covered in Shane’s extra-large Army t-shirt. He must have stayed with me most of the night because I remembered sleeping against something warm and hard.
I’m not ashamed to say I took the t-shirt home and have been taking hits of his scent like a smoker takes a drag of a last cigarette before he/she gets ready to quit––with feverish, almost violent force. It’s been a few days and I’m just not ready to return it yet.
We’ve seen each other in passing since then. I’ve received a tip of the head when he comes and goes, but he’s kept his distance otherwise.
Aidan’s another story altogether…
“No. No. No. Godfather II is the better movie. There’s no question.”
I swear it’s like he just found out Santa doesn’t exist. I’m afraid to tell him I like Star Wars more than Return Of The Jedi.
I hand him the keys to the tractor. The composted manure is ready to be spread over the large pasture and Aidan informed me that since it’s a “man’s job,” he should be the one to do it. I giggled for an hour. Who did he think had been doing it until today? Billy?
“Personal choice, my dude. I like the original Godfather better.” I watch him climb the tractor in his board shorts and work boots. No shirt. Like… ever. “Quick question. What is with the nudity? Seriously, put a shirt on. If I wanted to see your naked chest––or any other part of you, for that matter––I’d pay twelve bucks at the theater.”
Looking down at me, he flinches, his blue eyes going wide. “Hey, not cool. Don’t body shame me. I’m already dealing with a lot right now for you to add this on top of it.”
Shit. I blanche at his hurt expression. I was joking, at least somewhat. It never even occurred to me that he was touchy about his looks and that the exhibitionism was masking feelings of inadequacy.
“I’m… I’m sorry, Aidan. I wasn’t body shaming you. I just… I was kind of joking. There’s nothing to be ashamed about. Your body is perfect in every way. Literally, it’s perfection.”
A wicked smile spreads across his face. “So you noticed?”
Gospel truth, I’m gonna kill him before his time is up here. Mona’s property is five hundred acres last time I checked. They’ll never find his perfect dead body.
“Start the engine before I’m the one forced to wear an ankle monitor.”
“You find me charming. Admit it.”
“I’m morbidly fascinated with your ability to take rejection and turn it into a win.”
“I’m an actor, Tweetie. I’ve had plenty of practice with rejection.”
I highly doubt he’s ever faced rejection. The sunlight catches his eyes at the right angle and turns them into glittering pools of Caribbean blue.
“Wait, don’t move. You look great sitting up there. Let me take a few pictures for Cruella.”
He gives me a lopsided grin and tips back the rim of his straw hat, squinting one eye into the light. “Cruella?”
“Jules…” I flash a tight smile. “Please don’t tell her.”
He laughs. Then he strikes a serious pose and I snap away. Aidan looking pensive. Aidan looking off in the distance. Aidan laughing as he pulls the rim down over his eyes. The camera loves this man, this much is true.
“Aidan,” I hear Shane call out behind me. I turn to watch him cross the distance between the guesthouse and the place next to the barn where I park all the equipment.
He’s wearing one of his fertility outfits again. Tightish retro USMC t-shirt. Dark jeans. Red Wing boots. The name is fitting since my uterus starts spring cleaning every time she sees one, removing cobwebs and fluffing pillows, diligently preparing the place where his children will live for nine months. If he continues looking this good, she’ll start naming all ten.
He holds his cell phone up when he reaches us. “Jules needs to speak to you about an offer…”
I’d forgotten that Aidan doesn’t have a phone on him, per the judge’s order. His face brightens, his excitement barely contained. As fun as this has been, it was only a matter of time before Aidan would get bored on a farm. Monkeys like adventure. Collies not so much.