Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
I grab his arm before he climbs out. “No. It’s fine. I just thought it was a strange conclusion.”
“Not that strange,” Zak says, his brown eyes narrowing. “Callan’s brother is hot.”
He exits the vehicle, leaving my brain swimming with questions.
Zak thinks Dante is hot?
And he felt safe enough to share that with me?
Does my brother like guys?
I’m still trying to figure out what the hell just happened when someone taps on my window. The hot guy in question smirks at me. Damn it if my dick doesn’t jolt in excitement from seeing his full, pink lips. I try to not make eye contact as he opens the door and I climb out. My gaze skims over to Callan and Zak, who both wear matching scowls, clearly uncomfortable as hell with the situation we’ve put them in.
“Ready?” Dante asks, his brow lifted in question.
His loaded gaze tells me he’s asking for a lot more than moving my brother.
“Not really,” I grumble. “But I’m trying.”
Both his brows hike up. Okay, so we’re definitely talking about more. The moment his eyes heat as he rakes his stare down my front, I feel like I might melt in my parents’ front yard despite the arctic air.
“Don’t worry, Sheriff,” he assures me with a wink. “I have a little experience here. I’ve got your back.”
And damn if I don’t imagine something altogether filthy.
I am so fucked with this man.
So fucked.
Turns out, Dante is actually cool when he’s not fucking with me. A little too cool. Zak, who I’m still trying to figure out what the hell his comment meant earlier, seems quite taken with him. I’m beginning to realize the comment was more about him admitting something to me than calling me out on my own sexuality. If Dante notices Zak crushing on him, he doesn’t let on. Callan has finally come out of his angry shell a bit to poke fun at his brother any time he thinks he needs being brought down a few pegs.
“Remember that time you wrecked Dad’s car?” Callan asks once we sit down to have dinner around my kitchen table.
“It was one time,” Dante grumbles. “And it was snowing.”
“I was little, but I remember Dad was so pissed.” Callan chuckles. “You weren’t even living at home and he still grounded you.”
We all laugh as Dante shakes his head. When Dante turns the tables to tell a story about Callan, I allow myself like Zak so apparently does, to appreciate the hot guy with a surprising sense of humor. Callan and Dante rib each other endlessly. It’s a sweet dynamic between the two of them. Something I admit I’m surprised at seeing.
Dante is a catch, no doubt.
Hot, confident, rich, funny.
His body is fucking sinful being the devil and all.
Bitterness takes root in my belly as I realize I’ll never have something like that. Not Kian. Not Dante. No one. I’ll end up settling with some girl, making it work because I have to, and having a couple of kids. Divorce will be certain, but as long as my mother gets her grandkids from me, she won’t care.
My other two—straight—brothers, one of which actually did produce grandchildren for her, don’t count because they left the Bell family the moment they could. She’s set on her eldest being the one to make all her dreams come true.
“Did you really think you could make my place look cooler?” Zak asks Callan, being a big man and throwing this kid a bone.
Callan perks up, surprise in his gaze. “Yeah, man. I’m going to college for architectural design. It’s literally the thing I’m best at. Jarrett, the crazy motherfucker at the antique store, said he’d hook me up with a discount if I ever…” He trails off. “I mean, whatever. Sure.”
Dante rolls his eyes at Callan’s attempt to be cool, which makes me smile.
“Better than asking for Jax’s help,” Zak teases me. “Have you seen this place?”
I wince, suddenly embarrassed at my lack of décor. “Yeah, I’m working on it. I’m going to have to take Addison up on her offer.”
“Better hurry before we rope you into helping with the dishes,” Dante says with an evil smirk.
Both boys scramble from the table and disappear out the back door. Ox, having been disturbed on the back patio, comes through the doggie door and slumps to the floor, his tongue hanging out.
“Why do I feel like you ran them off to be alone with me?” I blurt out, my neck burning hot.
Dante studies me for a long moment, making my blood heat with each passing second. “Because I ran them off to be alone with you.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I grumble, unable to keep from smiling. I grab up some plates and carry them into the kitchen. I’m just setting them in the sink when I feel his warmth at my back. “What are you doing?”