Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Unless you move back.
No. That wasn’t happening.
And even if he could stomach the idea of doing that, he knew that Kellan could never live here.
He’d never leave his brother. It was the two of them.
Always.
“Eli, get out of my way,” she said firmly.
“I think we’ve established my answer.”
“Eli,” Shaw said. “You can’t trap her.”
“Sure he can,” Kellan said.
“See?” Eli said with a grin. “I can.”
Shaw sighed and looked over at Arabella. “These two like to stick together. Give me a signal and I’ll rescue you.”
“What? Like, help? Rescue me!” she cried.
“Not much of a safeword, but I guess it works.” Shaw winked at her.
To Eli’s surprise, her cheeks turned red. Hmm. Was it the mention of a safeword?
Or Shaw winking at her? Was she attracted to Shaw? Was he interested in her?
Eli knew that he should be happy if Shaw felt that way about Arabella. It would give him something to focus on. Someone to think about and devote himself to.
But all he felt was a raging jealousy.
“Don’t worry, though,” Shaw said. “The campylobacter story is preferable to the real story of what happened to me.”
Arabella grimaced. “Ouch. What really happened was worse than eating something infected with feces and then spending a safari pooping into a hole in the ground?”
“Hmm. Well, when you put it like that I’m not so sure,” Shaw replied.
“I thought she would understand that I was joking. And, well, you were looking so uncomfortable that I just wanted to turn her attention away from you.”
“I know that, darlin’. And I appreciate it. Leave the story. It’s fine.”
“I feel terrible, though.”
Eli didn’t like the anxiety he could feel coming off her. Was she really that worried about trying to help Shaw by making up a crazy story?
“Look at me,” he said firmly.
She jolted and turned to look at him. But her gaze was only on his chin.
“Eyes on mine,” he ordered.
She sighed, but raised her eyes to his.
“Good girl.”
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. “W-what?” she asked quietly.
“He called you a good girl,” Kellan told her. “Because you did as you were told. After a second prompt. Although Eli should have been more specific in his instructions the first time.”
Eli shot him a look, but didn’t say anything.
Because he kind of had a point.
“I’m not a good girl. You shouldn’t call me that,” she whispered.
Eli caught her chin in his hand. “You don’t think so?”
She shook her head.
“No? Are you naughty then?” Shaw asked, sounding amused.
Eli moved his gaze to his younger brother. Shit. He had almost forgotten that he was there.
She attempted to pull away. But he held onto her a moment longer.
“Listen. You don’t need to worry about what you said. Shaw isn’t upset. If he was, he would tell you.”
This time when she attempted to move her face away, he let her.
Reluctantly.
Very. Reluctantly.
“You’re sure?” she asked Shaw.
Shaw shrugged. “If people want to believe that crazy-ass story, that’s on them. Yeah? Now, stop stressing. It will ruin your appetite. And they really do serve the best breakfasts here.”
She gave him a small smile. “All right.”
“Now we need to have another chat,” Eli said. “Kellan rang the hotel and they told him that room was no longer occupied. So where are you staying, Arabella?”
9
Arabella stopped the words from sliding off her tongue immediately.
She didn’t know what it was about Eli Jones, but the guy didn’t shy from giving commands.
It was clear he was used to being obeyed. And for some reason she wanted to give him what he desired.
She straightened and looked over at Kellan. “I’ll need your bank details.”
“Why?” he asked.
“So I can pay you back. I don’t have enough cash.”
“Pay me back,” Kellan said slowly.
“For the hotel room. When I went to pay the next morning they said you’d already paid. For several nights.”
“Of course I had.” He said it like it was a foregone conclusion. “Where is your Horse-dog?”
“His name isn’t Horse-dog. And he’s at home. They don’t let animals into the diner.”
She felt bad about leaving him alone. But she also didn’t want him sitting in her car for ages. She’d only grabbed a few bits and pieces to tide her over at the grocery store and now she needed to get more. She couldn’t live on pizza.
Yesterday, she’d taken Horse to the local vet, a nice guy called Colin, who’d been a bit concerned with his weight and had put him on some special food. He’d also given him some shots and a flea preventative.
Horse had cried the entire time. When they’d left the examination room and walked out into the waiting area everyone had stopped what they were doing to stare at them.
So embarrassing.
Unfortunately, Horse wasn’t microchipped and the vet hadn’t heard of any animal of his description being reported as missing.
So she guessed she’d put up some social media posts. Although she felt less and less inclined to do so.