Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
“Wrong about what?”
“You’re not cute when you pout, you’re beautiful.”
“I’m not pouting.”
He leans up, nipping my lip. “Whatever you say.”
“When do you leave?”
“I have some business to handle this morning, then Talon and I take off.”
“Can I talk to Major and Ace?”
“You can always talk to them, but not sure what they can share. But if you need anything at all, you go to them. Dad’s also available if you have any trouble with your contracts. He’s up to speed.”
“Okay.”
“Another thing. You’re good at the townhome. But if you want to come here, you have my personal code. Use the pool, hang with the girls, sleep in my bed—whatever you want.”
The thought of sleeping here without him is depressing and comforting at the same time. Being surrounded by all things Ford gives me a sense of peace.
Then it hits me. He’s backed off his persuasion of my moving in the last few days.
After his conversation with my dad, I was furious and mortified. Rationally, I knew Dad was protecting me in his way. But he overstepped. Ford stopped me from laying into him by explaining he understood the apprehension. I figured this was why Ford had backed off his impatience for us living together.
Undoubtedly, he knew this was coming and didn’t want to uproot me while he would be gone.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to blurt out that I’ll move in when the conversation from yesterday comes to mind.
“You don’t feel comfortable here?”
He mistakes my change of mood. “It’s not that. But did you happen to talk to Tera last night?”
A storm brews in his eyes and his face goes hard. “Yeah, I fucking talked to her. More so, I denied her request to keep stalling.”
“How’d she take it?”
“Does it matter?”
“I guess not,” I answer dejectedly.
“She wasn’t pleased.”
“She was pretty adamant you’d cave and let her stay.”
“Is that so? What’d she say to you?”
“Nothing specific, but when Harley and I pointed out you’d been gracious, she was quite taken aback. Mentioned her lifelong friendship with the family.”
“Lifelong friendship is a little thick. You know the story of her and my sisters. Apparently, she thinks that gives her clout. I guess her ability to turn on the tears has tricked everyone in her past. That shit didn’t work on me. She’s leaving this weekend.”
“So, she’s not getting her dream terrace view?”
“Who fucking cares.”
“Mmm,” I mumble, remembering that day she came to the salon excited about starting fresh.
“You don’t agree?”
“I absolutely support your decision, but a part of me can’t help but sympathize.”
“Baby, this house may be my parents’, but us guys take care of everything. We negotiated a reasonable rent, but all the rest is split. Cable, electricity, security system, lawn care—all of it comes out of our pockets. Her freeloading ass has had ample time to lick her personal wounds and pad her bank account. It’s time.”
“When you put it that way, it’s one hundred percent logical.”
“I’m a logical man.” The storm clears from his features and is replaced with a smugness I’ve learned well. “Logical enough to know when I get back, we’re reevaluating your living situation.”
There’s the cocky man I’ve been missing. “Still not convinced.” I give my best blasé impression.
He doesn’t buy it, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing. His cock stiffens, swelling inside me. “Then it’s time to show you the benefits of showering while attached to me.”
“You’ll do all the work?”
His eyes twinkle as his hand swats my ass. “Oh yeah, I’ll do all the work.”
I really need to try to hold out longer.
This game always works out to my advantage.
21
FORD
“Hi, you’ve reached Rowan. Please leave a message.”
I click off before the beep and fight the urge to crush my phone. Where the hell is she? The closing on her house ended hours ago. Four calls, each going directly to voicemail.
No replies to my text messages.
“Something is fucking wrong.” I rub my chest where the constant ache settled in an hour ago.
“Like you acting manic?”
I slice my eyes to Talon, wanting to slap the superior look off his face. “Can you drive any faster?”
“Going almost ninety.”
I blow out a breath, casting my gaze out the window and onto the endless road ahead. It’s been nine days since we left Nashville. What was supposed to be a simple trip got extended and took us all over the state. Our nights were spent surveilling and days catching up on sleep and scouring through information the team sent over.
We identified who we believe is the leak earlier in the week. An analyst working with the ATF. But he’s nowhere near the source of the problem. He’s dropping crumbs through cyber channels, but we do not know who’s receiving the information.
What we know is a shipment of guns will travel through Nashville this Friday, and Robbie’s preparing the interference.