Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 82747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
"I practically burned his house down."
"I heard about a fire," she says. "You started the fire?"
"We got... distracted and the fire started."
Her cheek twitches.
"None of that," I say, pointing at her face. "He's not living with me in that way. It's more like he needs a place to stay while he works on fixing his house."
"So you haven't hooked up since he's been at your place?"
I turn away from her, grinning, when her laughter tickles my back.
I spin back around to face her. "Of all people, I can't believe you're the one giving me the most hell about this!"
She holds her hands up at her ears. "I'm not making fun of you. The guy is smoking hot."
"That's part of the problem," I mutter.
Her eyes narrow. "Nope. We're not doing that shit."
The anger in her voice freezes me in place.
"You're worthy of any man you set your sights on, and I won't have you getting lost in your head thinking you're not worthy. You're smoking hot, and Mac sees that."
I swallow as I think about all the things he has said. I've always been a sure thing with him, from that first night at the bar and up to and including the way I ran my hand down his rock-hard stomach and gripped his cock yesterday in the shower. He has never had to placate me with kind words to get me to want to hook up with him.
I tilt my head, really considering her words. He's called me beautiful and praised my body, and there hasn't been a single time he's looked at my bare skin when I've caught him with nothing other than desire in his eyes.
"He said I'm an addiction," I confess. "And not in a good way."
"The man is fighting his own issues, but don't let his shit turn into your problems. If you're having fun with him, then have fun. He's a grown man and makes his own decisions. There's no reason not to enjoy life when you get the chance, Riley."
"And when it ends?"
She gives me a sad smile. "Then, at least, you'll have the memories. I think living life to its fullest is always best. Don't miss out just because you think you'll be hurt in the end."
"When will you start taking your own advice?" I ask, needing some of the attention off of me right now because I'm feeling more than a little vulnerable.
"Those who can't do, teach," she says with a shrug before walking away.
I pull in a deep breath, but the reprieve only lasts for a few seconds before she spins back around to face me.
"How about a drink after work?"
I open my mouth to reject the offer, like I normally would, but agree with a smile instead.
The day seems to start getting better until I get a deposit notification and notes about what Mac expects me to make for dinner. The man will be lucky if I don't poison him the next time he eats something I cook.
Chapter 24
Mac
"That right there is lady trouble," Ronnie says, and I look up to see him pointing his plastic fork in my direction.
"Leave me the fuck alone," I say, but there's no heat in my words.
Ethan chuckles as he pulls his plate from the microwave.
We're camped out on the Drocers’ back patio, having lunch, and I've been doing my best to ignore the repeated flutter of the curtains. We're not doing anything wrong. I discuss this with every client that we have. I let them know that we have lunch on the job site because it saves us time and enables us to get the jobs done faster. I even mention Ethan’s fucking microwave because the man isn't going to suffer through a cold meal.
It was evident by the way Callie acted earlier that not only had she not spoken with her parents about us being here, but I'm almost certain she hadn't spoken with them about being here herself. What that girl has going on in her life isn't my business, but I've caught Ronnie darting his eyes toward the house more than he probably should.
"I've been thinking about her," Ethan says as he takes a seat on the top step of the patio, plate resting in his lap.
"Callie?" Ronnie asks.
"Who’s Callie?" his twin brother says.
Ronnie tilts his head as he glares at his brother. "Are you kidding me? Callie? The woman inside? Our future wife?"
Donnie shakes his head, lifting a hand to wave off his brother.
"Riley, not Callie," Ethan says.
"Excuse me?" I snap.
"I've been thinking about Riley," Ethan repeats.
It takes all I have not to toss my plate to the wooden deck and knock the shit out of the guy.
Ethan notices, and he grins before holding his hands up near his ears. "Not in that way, caveman. Calm down."
"I'm calm," I mutter, but look down at my hand and my grip on the plastic knife when he points at it.