Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Aye, you’re a fuckin’ animal.
I swallow hard as she lifts herself from where I’m convinced she belongs and looks up at me. “Well, I love to get out of hand,” she says with a wink. “The louder, the better.”
“I am well aware,” I say under my breath before I wave her in. She hears me, though, her nose wrinkling as she glares at me. “Come on, let me show you around.”
It doesn’t take me long. The cabin isn’t much, and after showing her my room, the bathroom, and then all the dogs’ stuff, we’re done. She listens intently, not saying a word as she takes notes on her phone, except when she asks questions. It’s hard for me to keep focus on what I’m supposed to be telling her when I can’t get enough of the way her brows are pulling in. How her lips purse as she’s deep in thought. She has a bit of a flush along her neck, her cheeks, where she has a smattering of freckles I hadn’t noticed until now. How did I not notice them?
I wonder how many there are?
Before I can start counting like a creeper, we end up in the kitchen, and her eyes light up at the sight of food. “Oh my God, I’m so hungry. Thank you!” She doesn’t hesitate, stuffing an olive and some cheese into her mouth. “Are these blue-cheese olives? My favorite!”
“Mine too,” I say, grabbing one. “Would you like some wine?”
She covers her mouth, her eyes meeting mine as she chews. “Please.”
I pour her half a glass since I don’t want to intoxicate her. The wine is only to bring out the flavor of the food, not to get drunk or anything. I pass her a glass, and she takes it eagerly. “This is a nice spread. Did you make it?”
“I did. I enjoy doing so.”
“Well, I love meat,” she says, taking a piece of salami and popping it into her mouth. I fight back a grin, and her face deepens in color. Then she beams. “That’s what she said, huh?”
I can’t help but grin at that, and her eyes flash with excitement. “I’m glad you said it and not me. I’m not supposed to fall back into my childish ways.”
She waves me off. “Why not. Who says we have to grow up?”
“Society?”
She rolls her eyes. “Fuck society.” Her face is still full of color, and her eyes are blazing with mischief. “Honestly, though, I was going to work for you before you showed me around. You don’t have to wine and dine me.”
She thinks I’m flirting with her? Am I? Fuck me right up the ass. Before I can think much of it, I blurt out, “I didn’t intend to wine or dine you. Just wanted to thank you for your time.”
Her face visibly drops, and her brows pull in. She’s so expressive. Wears her feelings on her sleeve. I bet when she comes, it’s a fucking gift to see.
Get your head out of the gutter, Riggs.
I look away, unable to handle her dismay, as I reach for more food. “And you’re fine staying here with the boys overnight?”
“Yes, if that’s what is best for the boys.” Her voice is firm, to the point. Professional. When I look up, she’s petting Gordie, and of course, he’s looking at her like she’s the queen of treats.
I wouldn’t mind a treat from her.
Yup, I need her out of my space.
“It is,” I bite out, disgusted with myself.
“Great,” she says before reaching for Gretzky. “When do you leave?”
“Monday.”
“Sounds good. Can you have me a key made? I’ll pick up the boys Monday morning along with the key, and we’ll stay here for as long as you’re gone.”
“We fly in Thursday morning.”
“Okay, I’ll take the boys with me that day and drop them off around six.” I nod, hating how matter-of-fact she’s being. “Would you want me to grab them on Friday? Maybe get them on a routine since you’ll be home?”
I pause for a moment, thinking that through. “Can I bring them to the resort on the way to work?”
“Sure. Just call me, and we’ll work it out. If I’m in town, I’ll grab them.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course. Anything else I need to know?”
“No. I think we covered everything. I’ll change the sheets for you, so you’ll be comfortable. The boys like sleeping in my room, but don’t let them in the bed. They have beds.”
She blinks. “You want me to sleep in your bed?”
I shrug. “If you want, but the boys will go in there at night. I have another bed I can bring in for Darcy. No dogs in my bed.”
Her lips tip up. “Is that, like, a solid rule?”
“Ice solid.”
She eyes me. “Ice can melt.”
I eye her right on back. “No dogs in the bed, Clara.” Her name rolls off my lips in such a way that I wish I were saying it while deep inside her.