Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
She smiles, saluting me as she says, “Yes, sir.”
I roll my eyes at her sarcasm. “I’m serious.”
“I really can’t believe this has all escalated to this degree.”
“What do you mean?” I ask her as I turn into the parking lot of the closest grocery shopping store.
“I just never thought Jason could be capable of going to the extremes. Part of me wants to tell my mother to calm down and call off the watchdog.”
I back into a spot. “Me being the watchdog?” I pull out my phone and shoot off a quick text letting Dean know about the gambling with Jason.
“I’m sorry. I just feel like some of this has been blown out of proportion. I think if Jason could just see how it’s over, then he would move on.”
“How many times have you told him it’s over?”
She purses her lips. “Well, maybe ten times.”
I place my hand over hers, her tiny hand small compared to my big one. “It’s not your fault. Okay? This is all on him. And a man who won’t take no for an answer is someone you should be careful of.” It’s one thing to fight for something you believe in. It’s another to be told no over and over again, and not accepting that answer.
“Thank you.” Briar’s mesmerizing eyes gaze into mine and my heartbeat kicks up in tempo. We exit the vehicle, and she smiles at me as we walk toward the entrance.
“No funny business inside the store,” I tell her, making sure we can get in and out undetected. “You stay by me. At all times.” I’m already sizing everyone up, looking for the exits, and scanning the area. Always on guard.
“Sure thing, Mr. Bodyguard, sir.” She salutes me, and sashays away as I shake my head with a grin.
She’s so fucking cute.
Chapter 5
Briar
Can I admit something? I think Orion is a fucking rockstar. No, not like a real one, but just as cool as one. He’s got this aura about him that makes him irresistible. I can’t stop staring at him.
He’s gigantic with more muscles than I’ve ever seen on any normal man before. Like he not only works out in the gym, but eats the gym for breakfast too.
And when his eyes lock with mine and they glaze over, I can only imagine he’s having dirty thoughts about what he’d like to do with me.
Crazy, right? I know he’s not really thinking that. But a girl can hope, right?
He’s probably thinking I’m some crazy bird lady that gets on his nerves.
Ugh. I hope I’m not getting on his nerves.
I want to make sure we’re in and out of this store, so I cross my arms over my chest and get into busy shopping girl mode, ready to attack each aisle with a plan.
Because if I don’t have a plan, I might just gawk and stare at Orion, and that’s not a good idea. I travel down the pet aisle first, looking to see if there’s any new bird toys that Jeb might like. We don’t stay away from home often, so I know he hates being off his routine. I want to make sure he’s rewarded for being a good bird.
“I think he has enough toys,” Orion grumbles beside me.
“A bird can never have enough toys.” I pluck a toy off the shelf.
Orion scans the aisle, keeping me close to him since we’ve walked in the store. “Fine. What about you?”
I blink. “I don’t need any toys.” And then my mind goes somewhere naughty, thinking about the types of toys adults play with, and how I’d love Orion to use some of those toys on me.
Stop that. I can’t have these thoughts. My cheeks burn with heat and I know I’m blushing.
Orion blinks at me, like he can read my every thought. “I meant food. What kind of food do you want?”
Without missing a beat, I list off my favorites, ticking them off on my fingers like it's a perfectly reasonable request. "Chocolate chip pancakes, of course. Also, grilled cheese. Macaroni and cheese. Pizza. Oh! And chicken nuggies."
He raises an eyebrow. "Nuggies?"
I stand up a little taller, jutting my chin out proudly. “Yes, chicken nuggets. They're a staple. Who doesn’t love them?”
Orion’s stoic as he studies me. “You eat like a five-year-old.”
I flash him a playful smile, folding my arms over my chest. “I know. It’s a weakness of mine. I love all the easy food. The good stuff.”
He shakes his head. “All the unhealthy stuff, you mean.”
“Hey!” I say, giving him a light shove, but the man is a rock the size of Gibraltar, and doesn’t budge. “Don’t knock it. It’s comfort food. Pure nostalgia. And, let's face it, delicious.”
Orion looks at me with an amused expression. “So, let me get this straight. If you had to choose between a fancy steak dinner and a plate of chicken nuggets, you’d pick the nuggets?”