Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
I intentionally kept the news from Willow.
Apparently, she overheard Rowan and Ford this afternoon.
Chase said she called him in a snit, bitching about me keeping secrets.
She’s barely spoken since I got home, pretending to study.
Bull-fucking-shit.
The woman is as transparent as spring water.
“You’re not running to your brother.”
My dick goes rock solid as she shoots lethal daggers my way. “I am.”
“Drop the bag, Princess. We have plans.”
“My plans are heading to my brother’s house for a much needed night with my nephew.”
Shit, I want to be deep inside her with that sass. I force myself to push off the doorframe and go to her, toss the bag, and hoist her over my shoulder.
She lets out an audible whoosh and beats on my back.
“Let me down!”
“Not a chance.”
Rowan is out on the porch with the dogs. She laughs and waves as we pass through the house.
“Talon Simms! Do not manhandle me.” She squirms and wriggles, kicking her feet high in the air.
I take us through the garage and deposit her on the seat of my bike. Her face is flushed, but her eyes go wide when she sees the new helmet beside her.
“Put it on, babe. We’re going for a ride.”
Her gaze lights with excitement, and for a split-second, her irritation vanishes then returns with a little less ire. “Now you want to take me for a ride? I’ve been waiting forever and now I don’t even want to go.”
“Liar.”
“Wait! You may need this.” Rowan hurries to us, handing me a bag with the familiar logo I asked her to pick up this afternoon. “Have fun!” She rushes back into the house before Willow can question her.
I take the lightweight jacket out of the bag, slip it on Willow, and zip it up.
She runs her hands over her chest and abdomen, her face in awe. “How did you know?”
“Baby, you’ve been looking at this jacket every day online.”
“I was watching for a sale.”
“It’s yours.”
Between Rosie, my mom, and the girls giving me hints, we’ve almost replaced the clothing Rylee ruined.
“It’s too much.”
I grab the helmet and carefully pull it over her head, ignoring the comment. If she thinks a fucking jacket is too much, she’s really going to blow soon.
I grab my own helmet, climb on, and pull her arms around my waist.
“Talon! I’m not in the mood…”
The rest of her gripe is drowned out by the roar of the engine and picks up again as we hit the cul-de-sac.
“What do I do!?”
“Hold tight.”
She clutches me with a death grip and I ease her into the speed, weaving our way to a back street and open road.
My body reacts to the feel of her plastered against me, her hands sliding into my pockets, and thighs tightening on mine.
She relaxes, placing her chin on my shoulder and giving me all her weight.
The days are longer, but I planned this for the timing, driving us to Franklin and the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
When I pull to a stop on an old disserted field and cut the engine, she’s trembling.
She jumps off and stumbles, catching herself on my arm.
“That was AWESOME!!!”
My cock feels the same, steeling at the sight of her yanking off her helmet and shaking out her hair. Long brown tresses tumble out, her face flushed with excitement and eyes wild.
Fucking perfection.
I steady the bike, remove my helmet, and step into her space.
It’s obvious when she remembers she’s upset because her vibrant green orbs fade.
I pull a folded envelope out of my jacket and hand it to her, eager to see her reaction.
She gingerly removes the papers, scanning them over, and her shoulders visibly sag.
“It’s true. You applied for SWAT.”
“We did.”
“I mean, you mentioned this before but never said anything else. Why didn’t you tell me?” She swallows, hurt in her tone.
“Because now I have something to tell.”
She continues to stare at the application in her hands. “What are the next steps? When will you know something? “
“Application window closed yesterday, and we have already been contacted.”
“Is that normal?”
“Not unusual with our record. We’re being accelerated to interviews. It’s a formality.”
“SWAT is even more dangerous.”
“Depends on how you look at it.”
“What about the crazies?”
“There are crazies in every part of my job.”
She nods, handing me back the folder with trembling hands. “I’m happy for you.”
My chest constricts at her indifference. She spears me with an expression that she’s not only hurt, she’s scared.
“Princess, I’ll be okay.”
“I know. You’re indestructible, right?”
I flinch inwardly, knowing she’s putting up a protective wall.
Fuck, this is going downhill fast.
“Talk to me.”
“Nothing to say. But why did you bring me all the way out here to share the news?”
She spreads her arms and turns in a circle. “It’s beautiful but unnecessary.”
“Review the rest.”
She hesitates, taking the paperwork, her eyes zipping left to right, and her lips moving as she quietly reads.