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)
“You seem happy. Is Bean’s having a sale on boring cop jackets?”
The warmth I used to feel around him is missing. It makes me think of Dante. His touch sets my soul ablaze. And, just like that, I ache to see him again.
“Ha,” I deadpan. “I’d be happier if I caught the arsonist.” I avoid telling him the real reason for my happiness.
“I’m sure you’ll catch him. You’re a good sheriff, even if your cliché mountain cop style is not.” Kian winks at me in a teasing way that used to make me crazy for him.
As he walks off, I can’t help but pull out my phone and text Dante.
Me: I miss you.
His response is immediate.
Dante: I have that effect on people.
Me: Smartass.
Dante: You love me.
It’s written in jest, but it’s not far from the truth. The feelings I have for Dante are all-consuming. He’s in my head all hours of the day, even when he’s in my bed.
“Any new news on the arsonist?” Cato asks, overhearing my conversation with Kian.
I reply to Dante with heart eyes and that he “might run into me” at Kian’s bar before pocketing my phone and meeting the stares of Cato, Brie, and Hank. “I’m following any and all leads.”
“You think it could be the Rainbow Vigilante?” Hank asks. “That’s what everyone around town keeps saying.”
Specifically, his father, my father, and Paul.
“Not sure,” I grumble, knocking back my shot. “But I can’t rule it out. This is the most crime we’ve had ever and it’s all isolated to the past couple of months.”
“Any new people in town since then?” Hank frowns. “Seems like maybe an out-of-towner.”
“The Kincaids are new,” Cato reveals, “but the stuff keeps happening to them.”
“Them?” Hank darts his eyes to Brie.
“All three siblings,” Brie confirms. “Dante’s B&B was vandalized and his car was keyed. The gazebo Shelly was putting the finishing touches on was burned to the ground. And poor Callan’s been getting harassed at school.”
“Have you seen any kids acting strangely around Callan Kincaid?” I ask Hank. “Anyone picking on him or following him or anything?”
Hank brings his beer to his lips, brows furrowed as he thinks. He swallows down a gulp and darts his eyes my way. “I mean, there’s a weird kid who seems a little sketchy, but it’s probably nothing.”
“Any leads are good leads,” Brie encourages, clutching his bicep. “Anything could help.”
Hank nods, his brow dipping. “You’re right. I can keep a better eye on him to look for any unusual behavior.”
“What’s the name? I can look into him,” I say, pulling my phone back out so I can input the name.
“Cormac Jordan. Eighteen. Doesn’t have friends or anything. Always lingering where he shouldn’t. Watching people. He’s been especially interested in Callan. I seem to see him anywhere Callan is.” Hank sighs. “It’s probably nothing. I’m probably being hyper vigilant.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “This is good. I’ll look into him. Thank you.”
We continue to drink and reminisce with stories of our youth. Kian ups the flirting, but I’m not interested. I’m waiting for my secret boyfriend to show up.
Boyfriend?
Fuck. There’s no other label for him. He’s mine. I’m not looking to give him up anytime soon…or ever.
“Got room for one more?” a deep voice says from behind me, heat burning into my back.
Cato’s eyes widen and then a knowing smile turns his lips up on one corner. “I was about to head next door to go dancing. You can have my seat, handsome.”
Dante takes the seat beside me, his hot stare raking down my front and back up again, settling on my lips. “Someone looks happy to see me.”
My cheeks burn hot and I fight a grin. Though Hank and Brie are lost in conversation, I feel exposed with the way Dante undresses me with his eyes in front of everyone.
“See you two lovebirds later,” Cato whispers into my ear before smacking a big kiss on my cheek. He waves to Dante and then takes off.
“Stop,” I mouth to Dante, whose hazel eyes burn with lust.
“Never,” he mouths back.
Dante
Drunk Jax is fucking hilarious. By the time I arrived at the bar, he’d drunk himself into oblivion. He was unaware of the fact Kian was flirting like crazy with him. It pissed me off because I’m pretty sure Kian can tell I’m hot for the sheriff, which means he’s trying to stake a claim on what’s mine.
But he’s not mine.
Not really.
It has to end eventually. Probably soon. We can’t go anywhere. I’ve been through this a thousand times in my head.
So why can’t I just end it once and for all?
“I’m going to take him home,” I tell Brie and Hank. “Kian keeps bringing him shots. This guy doesn’t drink enough to hold his liquor well.”
Brie and Hank exchange confused looks. I’m glad Jax is loose and unaware of the fact I may have just outed him to his friends. If I know where he lives and how he handles his alcohol, that means I know him. Well. Jax, if he realized what I said, would probably have a conniption fit.