Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
His stomach rumbled, answering before his brain kicked in.
She laughed, the happy sound making him feel like an ass for his darker thoughts. “So which will it be?”
“Pancakes, if it’s not too much trouble.” And then, because he couldn’t resist, he leaned over and settled his lips over hers, kissing her until the churning in his stomach and the bout of nerves became a distant memory.
“Mmm,” she said when he broke the kiss. “Better than food.”
He grinned.
“But I need to get up and shower . . . Joe said he’d help me move boxes to the car around ten this morning.”
“I have to work, or I’d help. But I’ll carry some down before I head out.” He’d have to stop home and change clothes before going to work.
“Thanks.” She eased out from beneath the covers. Before he could get a look at her incredible body, she swiped her robe from a nearby chair and wrapped it around herself. “I’d ask you to join me, but we’d never get moving today.” Her eyes twinkled, and he knew he’d accomplished his goal of not making her panic along with him.
She showered, and he jumped in after her while she made breakfast. While he was drying off, the doorbell rang.
He wondered who it could be. Pulling on his jeans, he stiffened as he heard Tyler Stanton’s voice.
“Morning, sunshine,” he said loudly.
Sam shook his head. Did the man have no shame? He never gave up. Well, Sam had every intention of giving him a reason to walk away with or without his dignity intact.
“Tyler, you shouldn’t have,” Nicole said.
Sam narrowed his gaze.
“I know they’re your favorite,” he said. “I know a lot about you, remember? We shared a lot of things before—”
Sam had had it. Without bothering with his shirt and his hair still damp, he stepped out of the bathroom. Well aware of what this looked like, he wanted to give Tyler the right impression. “What are you doing here, Stanton?” Sam asked.
Nicole’s gaze lingered appreciatively on Sam before darting to Tyler, whose cheeks flushed dark in embarrassment.
“I’m giving Nicole an early-morning delivery.” To his credit, he didn’t ask Sam the same question.
“Thank you.” Nicole accepted the vase of yellow roses.
“She prefers daisies,” Sam muttered. Or did she?
“Tyler, this really isn’t appropriate. I already told you—”
Sam swallowed back a curse and pushed down on the jealousy. It wasn’t like Nicole was leading the man on.
“I know. And I see things between you two are . . . serious.”
Sam immediately stepped up and wrapped an arm around Nicole. “You’re damn right. Which means you bringing her flowers isn’t cool.” Nor would he stand for it.
* * *
Nicole sucked in a startled breath. Yes, she knew the two men were adversaries, and of course, it made sense that Sam would be jealous of Tyler. She’d feel the same way about any woman showing him attention, especially the morning after. But they’d agreed on an affair. Nothing serious, they’d both said, which meant he didn’t have the right to tell Tyler what he could or couldn’t do. Yet he stood here, his arm around her, telling her ex just that.
Sweet pleasure rushed through her at his warm touch and his possessive words. As much as she hated to admit it, she’d woken up in Sam’s arms, wishing for this very thing. Of course she’d immediately chastised herself since she’d been a willing party to their agreement last night. And she had a new, independent life to lead here in Serendipity. No strings, no ties.
“I think it’s up to Nicole whether she wants the flowers,” Tyler said to Sam.
She shook her head. In all the years she’d known him, he’d never been so obtuse or dense. “The roses are beautiful, but Sam’s right. We’re involved, and that means you can’t come around here bringing me flowers.” Yet she held the vase in her hand, unable to return them because that would be rude.
“How involved?” Tyler pressed on.
Nicole opened her eyes in shock. “That’s none of your business,” she said.
At the same time, Sam said, “Very,” causing Nicole’s heart to skip a beat.
Damn her weak self for liking his words that much. Wanting more could only lead to heartache . . . yet she sensed that more was exactly what she wanted from him after last night.
Sam stepped forward, prodding Tyler out the door. To Nicole’s relief, he went without an argument, and Sam shut the door behind him.
Leaning against the frame, Sam turned to face her. “Well, I hope that little show persuaded him to back off,” Sam muttered.
Show?
Disappointment welled in Nicole’s chest. She drew a deep, calming breath, refusing to let Sam see that she’d nearly bought into his act right along with her ex-fiancé.
“Nicole? You okay?” he asked.
She forced a smile. “Just fine.”
“Can I help with breakfast?”