Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
She peeked out the door, listening for the men’s voices. Maybe they were having some sort of meeting or playing pool. When she heard nothing, she crept toward the gathering room. Ivy finally heard a whisper of sound at the end of the hallway. Peering around the corner, she felt the corners of her lips quirk upward when she saw a round bottom sticking out of the refrigerator. The all-black clothing clued her in immediately to who it was.
“Remi?”
The young woman whirled around, clutching a can of spray whipped cream to her chest. “Oh! Ivy! You scared me!”
“Got something planned?” Ivy asked, feeling herself grin widely as her eyebrows waggled suggestively almost by themselves. Standing in the bright lighting, Remi looked starkly Goth. A thought popped into Ivy’s head at Remi’s Goth look. I wonder what she’d look like with a clean-scrubbed face wearing something—pink?
“What?” Remi looked down at the item in her hand and laughed. “You’re bad. I got hungry hanging around and decided to make a snack. Want a hot fudge sundae with me?”
Ivy hadn’t been hungry until she heard those magical words together: fudge and sundae. “I’d love one. Extra whipped cream on mine.”
Remi gathered the other ingredients for the treat while Ivy ran to grab bowls and spoons. Chatting happily, Ivy took care of microwaving the glass jar of hot fudge as Remi scooped up a generous ball of vanilla ice cream into each dish.
“I noticed cinnamon ice cream in the freezer, too. Want to experiment with cinnamon and chocolate?” Remi asked, clicking the ice cream scoop on the countertop.
“I bet it’s wonderful,” Ivy agreed with a nod.
“Me, too!”
In a few minutes, they’d crafted gorgeous sundaes. Remi handed the can of whipped cream to Ivy. “This stuff is so good.”
“Even if it’s not used for sexy times?” Ivy teased and laughed at her own silliness in thinking Remi was romantically involved with one of the Shadowridge Guardians instead of just visiting there frequently to see her father.
“You’re bad,” Remi accused with a laugh. “I’m glad you’re here, Ivy. You fit well with the group.”
The two took big bites of their sundaes and groaned with delight. It was so good. Eating the delicious treat consumed their attention for several bites.
Finally, Ivy asked, “Where is everyone? I woke up and Steele was gone.”
“And he didn’t tell you where they went?”
“No. He was just gone. Do you know what’s up?”
Remi took a big bite of ice cream. Ivy suspected it was to keep from answering her question, and then Remi smiled as the sound of motorcycle engines rumbled through the exterior doors. “They’re back. Steele can answer your question.”
“Uh-oh. That’s not good,” Ivy said, feeling doom lurking. She took another bite of her sundae to distract herself.
The men walked in loud and boisterous.
“Did you see that guy’s face? I think he almost peed his pants,” Talon joked.
“I think he did,” Storm confirmed.
“I don’t think she’ll have any more…” Rock’s voice faded away as they saw the women at the counter. “Hi, ladies.”
“We’re having fudge sundaes, Dad,” Remi explained.
“While the cat’s away, the mice will play?” Kade asked. His growly, deep voice made both Littles shiver. “Cold?”
“Ice cream,” Remi sassed.
“Hmmm.”
Steele was the last one through the door. The men parted for him to walk toward Ivy. “Hi, Emerald Eyes. Couldn’t sleep?”
“I woke up and everyone was gone,” Ivy said before shrugging and waving her spoon toward Remi. “Well, almost everyone. Remi suggested sundaes. Where have you all been?”
“Mmm, let me have a bite.” Steele plucked the spoon from her hand and scooped up an enormous portion.
The muffled sound of appreciation that came from Steele’s mouth made Ivy blush. It was almost the same noise he made when eating her. Squeezing her legs together, she struggled not to be distracted.
“It is good, isn’t it? So… What were you doing?”
“Official Guardian business, Ivy,” Steele answered as he scooped her bowl off the counter and took her hand to tug her off the stool.
He looked past Ivy at Remi and said, “Thanks. I owe you one.”
Everything clicked into place for Ivy, and she met Remi’s gaze. “You were babysitting me?”
“Just hanging out, Ivy,” Remi rushed to reassure her before saying to Steele, “Taking care of family.”
He nodded his agreement with that meaningful statement. “Come on, Ivy. Let’s take this treat back to our apartment,” Steele suggested, pulling gently on her hand.
Ivy didn’t resist. She had some questions for her Daddy. Some tough questions. Pacing down the hall, she tried to choose what she should ask first. Once in the apartment, Steele led her to the couch and sat down next to her.
“This is really great, Little girl.” He scooped a spoonful of the delicious mixture out of the bowl and held it to her lips.
Clamping her lips closed, she shook her head. One part of her mind was pleased to find she hadn’t gotten discombobulated by the motion. She must be healing.