Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
There’s something about her that makes every part of my body feel hot. One look and the woman gives me a fever. I don’t know if it’s her cute scowls or the way she tries to ignore me, but the more she acts like she hates me, the more I want her.
I recognize that maybe that’s not the healthiest way to start a relationship, but I’m determined to get her to smile.
“Thanks for coming all the way out here to deliver my stuff.”
“It’s part of the job,” she says, not looking at me.
I follow her to the back of her truck and reach to take the tailgate down for her.
“I can do it,” she says, moving in front of me.
“Sorry, I was only trying to help.” God, I am fucking this up.
“Here you go.” She turns around with a large box in her arms, and I hurry to take it from her.
“Thank you again for delivering,” I tell her, trying not to sound like an idiot. “Your hardware store is the best in town.”
“It’s the only one in town.”
“Oh yeah, that’s true.” Is there a hole around here I could crawl inside and die? Normally I’m good with people, but Tilly makes me feel like I’m an alien inside a human’s body trying to talk for the first time ever.
Her eyes meet mine, and I’m struck by her beauty. The cute freckles that sprinkle across her nose are adorable, and for some reason I want to lie in bed with her and count them.
“Why don’t you come inside?” I ask, and she blinks at me.
“What for?”
That’s a good question, Paxton. Why the hell would she want to come inside my house? “I’ve got a kitten?”
“Oh.” She perks up at this information, and then she narrows her eyes. “Wait, are you trying to lure me into your murder house with a kitten?”
“I’d like to think it’s less of a murder house and more of a construction zone. But I can see your point. Honestly, if someone wanted to abduct me, that would be the way to do it. I’m a sucker for a kitten.”
She looks like she’s thinking it over, weighing her options between being killed and petting a kitten. I know I’d be willing to risk death to snuggle a sleepy kitten, but not everyone is like me.
“If it makes you feel safer, I can bring the kitten out on the porch.”
“All right, show me the goods,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.
With the box in my arms, I practically run inside. Maybe this will be what gets her to smile.
Chapter Three
TILLY
I’m a sucker, and I’m not even mad at myself for it. How can I be when I’m about to see a kitten? I have always wanted one, but my place is too small. The thought of getting to hold one has me bouncing on my heels while I wait for Paxton to return.
Something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention, and I spin around. That’s when I see an adorable donkey poking its head out.
“Hi,” I say to him, but when I wave, he darts back into the barn.
“Don’t take it personally. He’s shy,” Paxton says, and I turn to see he’s got the kitten tucked close to his chest.
“Oh my gosh, it’s an orange baby.” My voice is barely above a whisper as I step closer. “Hi, baby.” Reaching out, I scratch its fluffy head. “Aren’t you adorable.” Okay, so it turns out everything around here is adorable. Including Paxton, even if I don’t want to admit it. “Is it a boy or girl?”
“Girl.”
“Really! Isn’t that super rare?” I’d heard most orange cats are male.
“Yeah, she was shunned by the others. She was the runt of the litter, so I took her in. I think I’m going to keep her.”
“Does she have a name?”
“I still need to come up with one. Got any ideas?”
“Me?” I point to myself.
“Yes, you.” His lips turn up in a half smile, and it’s so unfair. You don’t get to be this good-looking, smart, and charming. Isn’t that against the rules or something? Although I have no idea what the rules are.
“Cheddar? Cheeto, ope! Paprika."
“All food choices,” he chuckles, and the sound is deep and oddly calming.
“I think they’re solid names,” I snip. Why did he ask me if he didn’t want me to pick one?
“No, I love them all,” he says. Why is he so nice all the time? “You want to come in and hold her? It’s cold out here.” He gently moves her off his chest and toward me.
“Okay,” I find myself agreeing as I take her from him.
“Don’t mind the mess.”
“You should see my place. You’d think a tornado had gone through it.”
“Is that an invitation?” he asks as he holds the door open for me.