Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Big Tag snapped his fingers. “See. I knew he fucked her.”
“I think it was more than that, hence this conversation.” Rand shook his head. “Sorry, the big boss struggles with his words sometimes. You are so into this woman.”
He wasn’t going to argue the point, but there was a problem with it. “I’ve only known her for a week.”
“I married my Charlie after a week,” Big Tag said with a shrug.
West was confused. “I thought you were against this relationship.”
Big Tag’s lips curled up in a mischievous grin. “Am I? Or do I know how to get a stubborn asshole to speed up his timeline? We’ll never know. And despite what I said, you didn’t really screw up. I wouldn’t have looked for a tag on my wheel well. You were in a gated parking lot at the studio and a secure lot at the hotel. No one should have gotten near your car. When you meet the security head, make him show you all the logs. Let’s see if we can connect anyone to JK Harris. He worked in the industry. I’m sure he still has friends.”
Martin walked in with two mugs of coffee in his hands. His eyes lit up when he saw Rand. “Hey, babe. Master Ian, here’s your coffee. And West.” He put the mugs in front of him and Big Tag. “Bacon or sausage?”
“Why choose?” Ian asked.
“Both it is then,” Martin agreed and turned back to the kitchen.
“He’s a keeper.” Ian took a long drink of coffee. “Just think about what I said. Keep your mind open to the possibilities.”
A soft gasp from behind had him turning. Ally stood in the hallway, her eyes on Big Tag. She’d pulled on one of his T-shirts and wrapped his bathrobe around her. Both were far too big, but she looked adorable standing there with wide eyes.
A look of determination came over her face, her chin coming up stubbornly, and she started to walk toward the dining room.
He started to stand, but Ian reached out a hand.
“Don’t. I want to see what she does,” Ian said under his breath.
“Mr. Taggart, if you’re here to fire West, you should understand that I’m firing you,” Ally announced in her full-on brat reality princess voice.
“Well, that should be interesting since you didn’t hire me in the first place.” Big Tag looked more amused than annoyed, so West relaxed a bit.
Ally had her hands on her hips, facing off with the scariest man West knew. He’d seen grown-ass military men who wouldn’t stand up to Ian Taggart, but his girl simply powered through. “You know what, Mr. Taggart, if you don’t want clients to jump your guards, maybe you should hire less attractive ones. Or you know what? You could upcharge for services…”
“Nope.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, tugging her until she was sitting on his lap. “Too far.”
“Sorry.” She started to stiffen up. “I think we should…”
“Hush.” There was only one way to deal with Ally. He nuzzled her neck. “He’s not here to fire me. He knows we’re together now. Stop making it less than it is.”
“I wasn’t…” She relaxed against him. “Fine, but if he’s mean to you, I’ll show him I can be mean right back.”
“Well, I couldn’t have that.” Big Tag sat back. “I’m not here to be mean. Just here to sample the crêpes.”
She sat up, gasping a little. “There are crêpes?”
Martin stuck his head out of the kitchen. “We are a full-service B&B.”
“I love crêpes,” she said as she snuggled against him. She reached out and grabbed his coffee mug, bringing it to her lips.
She was a coffee thief. He would have to remember that.
He kissed the top of her head as Big Tag started talking about how movies had been made of his exploits.
West sat with her, his mind going over and over what Ian had said.
The trouble was he was starting to think the only thing he was passionate about was the woman on his lap.
* * * *
Ally stood on the balcony of West’s condo, looking out over the green space and wondering if the press had found her here. There weren’t a bunch of people standing around shouting questions, so she thought no. It wouldn’t be long, of course.
She liked it here, and it wasn’t only because this was the place where she’d figured sex out. Sweaty, emotional sex with a gorgeous ex-cowboy was merely a part of the appeal.
She also liked Rand and Martin and lemon crêpes, and not having to be on every second of the day. For so long, even being with her family involved cameras and crews and playing a part. She wouldn’t take that back. The show had set her mom and stepdad up for the rest of their lives and ensured she was taken care of financially. It gave her the freedom to pursue her dreams, but it had come at a cost. Being with West and his family made her realize how long it had been since she’d let her walls down.