Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
He quickly looked through her collection of books, seeing some more erotic titles among the educational ones. He hadn’t expected her to have any sexy titles and he liked this side of Kaley. His woman liked to read sexy stories. Quinn could work with that. Did she wish she were the heroine in some of the books? He’d gladly play out all of her fantasies. He would remember the titles so he could look for them.
Seconds later, he left her bedroom and entered his own. The walls were white and Dorothy had put some blue sheets on the bed. He went to the window to look out over the city. Their parents all lived in a small town in the country where fields as far as the eye could see surrounded them. The city never appealed to him, however, he knew how important it was to start up a business within the city. Security was a good business to use all of the skills he’d built up in the SEALs.
Once his company was established and Kaley finished her degree, he’d be finding them a place back home. Quinn intended to stick to his business plan. He had the money and the contacts. All he needed to do was see his dream come true. In the last couple of years, he’d dabbled in the stock market, investing in products and companies, which had shown a great return.
He unpacked quickly then answered the texts sent by his parents before making his way out toward his sister. She was bent over, putting a dish into the oven.
“Shut up, don’t speak.” She closed the oven, rubbing at her brow. “You better make sure Kaley loves you. I hate cooking and only ever make sandwiches when it’s my night.”
“You’re making it up to her for not telling her about me?”
“Yeah. You asked to stay here. If you weren’t my brother, I’d leave everything up to you.”
“I appreciate you helping me.” He leaned against the doorframe, staring at his frazzled sister. For the most part, Dorothy always came across as easygoing. Nothing stressed her, yet this did. “I’m not going to hurt her. Kaley will be safe with me.”
“I know. Don’t go into her bedroom again. She likes her space to be private.”
“I saw the notebook and laptop. What’s that all about?”
“Kaley likes to write. I haven’t been allowed to see any of her stories but I’ve heard her typing away late at night. It’s what she likes to do.”
He’d be looking at those stories. They were important to her. He could sense it.
“I’m trying to get to know as much of her as possible.” He moved toward the kettle. “She’ll be fine. Stop worrying.” He made himself a coffee while making his sister tea. She didn’t need anything else to make her skittish.
“I hope you’re right.” She started to move the watch that rested on her wrist around in circles. “Dinner is done. I’m going to get my outfit ready so I can leave quickly.”
“No. I can figure everything out.”
“Good. Quinn, I like the thought of you two being together. Go easy on her. I think she’s, er, she’s still a virgin. She didn’t pay any attention to the guys in school or in college. I haven’t seen her with anyone. I just want you to be careful with her.”
“I’m not going to hurt her, Dorothy.”
No, he wasn’t going to hurt her. The last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt Kaley. He was going to spend some time with the woman he’d come to love. Kaley deserved to be loved and cherished, and he was going to be the man to give her everything her heart desired.
****
Exhausted from the long day, Kaley walked up the steps, carrying the ice cream and a movie. She’d gotten plenty of studying in yet it wasn’t enough to push the thought of Quinn from her mind. Maybe it was because of Dorothy’s strange behavior that morning.
She inserted her key into the door and entered the apartment. The scent of chicken parmesan filled her nose, making her mouth water. After removing her satchel, she set it on the floor.
“Hey, I’m home. I bought some ice cream and that movie you’ve been talking about for the last couple of weeks.” She stopped when she saw three place settings at the small table. “Do we have company?”
She walked into the kitchen and froze when she saw Quinn standing beside Dorothy. He held a bottle of beer. Both siblings turned toward her.
“Hey,” Dorothy said. “Awesome.” She took the tub of ice cream from her, along with the movie. “I can’t wait to watch this.
“Hey, Kaley,” Quinn said. His voice was deep, masculine, and he had the power to make her melt.
“Hey.” What else should she say? “Er, I thought you were, er, working.” Where were her words?