Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 142939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
When I grab my phone, I realize I was wrong; it’s not Ocean or my father who was trying to reach me. It’s Parks, and he’s fucking with me. Does he know I’m here? I’m sure he does. The little fucker. I growl. A sexy chuckle comes from Owen.
“Sorry, I have a small growling problem, according to my dad.”
“It’s adorable.”
“Adorable?” I push my glasses up my nose.
“It’s one of the many things you are.”
“Sexy?” I fish for more of his compliments.
“Yeah, babe, sexy is high on the list.” He smiles at me, not minding how direct I can be.
“I should get going; my father will get worried,” I half-lie. My dad will worry, but I don’t want to go anywhere. Unfortunately, there is no other choice.
“I could make a to-go box for your dad,” Owen offers.
“He’d love that.” An idea hits me. My phone is still in my hand. “Where is your phone? I’ll program my number into it.” He pulls it out of his back pocket and hands it over to me without missing a beat. Then he goes and rattles off the code. Not that I would have needed it. Phones are child's play for me when it comes to decoding things.
Owen goes to box up the spaghetti for my dad. I clone his phone before using it to call my number. Not my real one, of course, but the one I want him to have. I need to keep reminding myself that he’s a professional and that I’m technically undercover here. I need to make sure my tracks are covered.
“I called myself, so it should be in there.” I set his phone back down on the counter. “You’ll like text or call, right?” I chew on my bottom lip. Owen presses the lid onto the container.
“Yeah, I want you to text me when you get home so I know you got there safe.”
“Okay.” I melt.
He grips my chin. “Are you always this agreeable?”
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. Am I agreeable? “With you maybe.” He smiles as he leans down to kiss me again. A trace of guilt fills me that I cloned his phone, but I wouldn’t take it back. I also know I didn’t clone it because I want to get information on him for Duffy. No, I want it all for myself. I want to dive into his world and get as much information on him as I can. I need to figure out who he is. I want to know every detail and every move he makes.
Too soon I’m pulling out of his long driveway. He stands on the porch watching me go. The second I’m on the main road, my phone rings. I hit the speaker.
“You were there awhile. I would have busted into the place, but those thermal images didn’t look like he was killing you.”
“Ocean!” I hiss.
“What? I had to check on you. Plus, I placed that tag, remember?”
“Oh my God.” I groan.
“Two orgasms of Magic. The man is a giver.”
“I can’t believe you listened to all that!”
“I tapped out a few times. I’m not a total perv.”
“I want the feed. Send it over. I’ll be home in a bit. I’ve got some information to go over. Also, I want bugs with surveillance.”
“So you’re going back over there?”
“You don’t think he’ll invite me back?” My heart sinks.
“I didn’t say that.” She laughs.
True. Who needs an invitation? I’ll show up whenever I like.
12
OWEN
I close the door to the basement, lock it, then exit through the hidden panel behind the kitchen. Once it’s all set back to rights, I lean down and scratch behind Alfie’s ears.
“Ready to go start the chores?”
He purrs, then gives a big stretch and a yawn.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I head out the back door and check on the tomato seedlings I set up in the cold frame. They’re coming along well, and so are the cucumbers and the squash. We’ll be full of produce in no time.
The horses are happy to be turned out into the pasture, the morning sun burning off the little bit of fog that lingered right after dawn. It’s going to be another beautiful day. I didn’t sleep great, mainly because Maggie danced around in my mind, catching my attention. Like a crow seeing something shiny, I couldn’t look away from her. She’s a mystery, one I want to uncover bit by bit. Eccentric and quirky, she’s easily the most interesting person I’ve ever met.
When I jog around the barn toward my solar array, I catch sight of movement.
Slowing my pace, I glance around. Nothing is amiss; everything seems to be the way I left it yesterday. But I could’ve sworn …
I shrug it off and keep going, the sun warm on my back as I turn the back corner of the barn.