Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Army and Tats both chime in with their two cents as well, and I feel like I’ve been hit over the head with a battering ram. Mayor’s daughter?
I don’t tell the guys how I spent last night between her legs.
“I’ll make sure the cabin is all set up for you. Staying at the Harmony Inn is just asking for trouble,” Felix says when he ends the meeting.
I rise from my chair. “Maybe I’m looking for a little trouble.”
He slaps a large hand on my shoulder. “You’re going to have enough trouble going after Joseph.”
He’s right.
I can’t bring sweet and innocent Dakota into my life of crime and madness. She’s too pure for me. So, I agree to stay on property.
“I’ll just get my things from the hotel and head back here.” I want to see if Dakota is there. There’s something addicting about her, even if I know I shouldn’t pursue a repeat of last night.
It would be selfish of me.
She’s too special for a man like me. I don’t deserve her, and besides, Felix is right. Things have a real chance of turning ugly while I’m in town.
Chapter 5
Dakota
* * *
I can’t stop thinking about last night. When I left Ruin’s hotel room, I knew I couldn’t resist if he came out of the bathroom asking me to stay. The flip side of that, and what I really didn’t want to find out—what if he didn’t ask me to stay and kicked me out?
Either way, I took those options from him by grabbing my clothes and leaving as quickly as possible.
It’s hard to focus on work, because I still feel Ruin everywhere as I confirm tonight’s reservations. My mind keeps drifting back to his orgasm face, the rasp of his beard between my legs, his grunts and groans. The sweet way he lavished kisses on me.
Yeah, it’s best I left. Otherwise, I’d probably be fantasizing about our future and that’s just not going to happen. So, I’ve banned myself from looking to see if Ruin checked out this morning. Last night was just a one-off for him, I’m sure.
It wasn’t for me though. As corny as it sounds, I'll cherish the memory for the rest of my life.
Like right now.
Because the front door opens and Ruin walks into the lobby. He’s bigger and more intimidating in the morning light. I hang up the phone, because all I can hear is the pounding of my heart in my eardrums.
The corner of his mouth lifts into a fetching half-grin. “Hey there. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. You left without saying goodbye.”
I’m flushed, possibly approaching a heart attack from the way it’s thudding, so I try to busy my hands with my computer and calm my breathing. “Oh, well, I had to be up early. A girl needs her beauty sleep,” I launch into a spiel about getting the proper rest and hydration to keep your skin from sagging and preventing premature wrinkles.
Oh, my God. What am I doing?
He listens, like he’s so interested in what I have to say, but I know better.
I shoo my hands. “Sorry, I’m rambling. I tend to talk a lot when I’m nervous.”
That statement makes him raise a brow. “Do I make you nervous, baby girl?”
I am kind of loving when he calls me his baby girl. But I know I can never be his girl. Not really.
First, he’s not from around here.
Second, he’s a biker and I’m sure Daddy would murder me if he saw me with him.
Third, he’s much older than me.
I lick my lips, unable to keep myself from answering him honestly. “Yes,” I whisper.
He glances around the lobby, making sure we’re alone, then he leans over the counter. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
My body ignites like he doused it in gasoline and threw a match on me. I’m about to do something I’ve never done before in my life. “I get off in about ten minutes.”
His eyes flare. “I’ll be waiting.” He coolly walks out of the office, and I try to continue my work for the remainder of my shift.
Where will he be waiting? I know he’s checked out of his room, because I’m investigating right now and I see the room is currently being cleaned for a reservation later today. The minutes tick away like hours, and once I’ve finished everything, I head to the back office and grab my purse. When I hustle out the front doors of the Harmony Inn, Ruin is there, revving up his Harley.
My steps falter. I don’t want anyone seeing me hop on the back of his bike, because that might dispel the “wholesome” vibes Dad’s campaign manager wants projected. Besides, what about my car? People might wonder why it’s here and I’m not.
So, I make a right and race to my vehicle. I hop in and drive down the road with Ruin following me.