Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“I’ll probably stay here tonight. But I’ll tell Hunter I’m here, so if by chance he comes to find me, he doesn’t worry.”
“Sure, and I’ll tell the kids you’re sleeping over.” I say ignoring the look on her face then ask. “How was Max last night after I left?”
“He was fine. Nice even, but it was weird having him around asking questions about pictures and things. Stuff he never cared about before.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs, letting out a breath. “I tried to remember when we got here, and Hunter found a picture of my mom and me, if Max ever asked about my parents, but I don’t think he did. I mean, he knew they died, but he didn’t ask to see pictures or ask about what kind of people they were. Last night, he seemed to have a million questions and it kinda freaked me out.”
“Hmm.” I let out a breath, letting go of the jealousy I’m feeling, knowing she doesn’t need me acting like a Neanderthal right now, regardless of how badly I want to do just that. “Don’t worry about that. Just focus on the fact that you don’t have to go to battle with him.”
“I still don’t buy it. I won’t believe it until I talk to Mandy and confirm he has called his lawyer and agreed to settle this outside of court.”
“That’s probably smart, baby,” I agree, and her face softens as she moves her hand between my brows and down the bridge of my nose. “How was Hunter last night?”
“He loosened up after Max told him he wasn’t taking him back to Seattle. Until then, he’d been on edge. I think Max finally saw for himself what his reaction caused. They have always been close, but before Max put him at ease, Hunter was standoffish with him, and I think it freaked him out.”
“Maybe he needed that,” I say softly, and she nods.
“Maybe.”
I run my hand up under my shirt she slipped on last night after I cleaned her up. “I have to say, I hate that he’s staying at your place. That he’s sleeping under the same roof as you,” I confess, cupping her breast, watching her back arch. My cock twitches in response.
“Jealous?” she jokes smiling, and I tweak her nipple, hearing her gasp.
“Absolutely, he got years with you. Years that I missed out on, and I hate he’s getting even more of your time now.”
“He’s not you,” she says softly, searching my face, and I feel myself harden even more when I see and hear the sincerity in her eyes and tone.
“How much time did you say we have before you have to sneak home?” I question, sliding my hand down her stomach and over her pubic bone.
“We have no time. You have to help me get back over to my balcony.”
“You’re going through your front door.”
“No, I’m not. It’s locked.”
“You sure about that? You seem to leave it open all the damn time.”
“Max locked it last night, and I didn’t think about unlocking it before I came over. So yes, I’m sure it’s locked now, Mr. Sheriff.” She rolls her eyes, and I slip my hand into her panties and cup her sex.
“I know you think it’s funny, but you really need to start locking your doors, baby. I understand you feel safe here, but this town is growing and it’s summer. We don’t keep track of who’s coming and going off of the fishing boats that dock.”
“I’ll be more careful from now on,” she complies, and I feel my body relax. My fingers slide inside of her. “I really need to get up and get home,” she moans.
I press my forehead to hers and let out a frustrated breath before pulling my hand away. “We’ll use my key for your house and you can get in that way.”
“No, I’m not doing that. I’m half dressed and I don’t want anyone to see me sneaking home.”
“Christ, I can’t believe I’m going to do this,” I mutter, knifing off the bed and pulling her up with me as I go. As soon as we’re both standing, I take her mouth in a kiss then move to the dresser and grab a shirt, putting it on as she slips back into her shorts and my flannel. “This is the only time I’ll help you do this,” I inform her, opening the sliding door in my room and stepping out onto the deck. I feel the chill in the air hit me when I do.
“Whatever.” She smiles, walking past me to the edge of the balcony. There is only about a two-foot gap separating our decks, but it’s still dangerous, with a seven-foot drop to the rocky ground below between them. Thinking of her doing this last night in the dark sets my teeth on edge, but I push the feeling back, walk to where she’s standing, put my hands on the ledge, and hop over, landing on her deck.