Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
He folded his arms over his broad chest and glared. “This helpful advice coming from the same man who—”
I couldn’t help interrupting him. The words had been waiting hours to spill out. At least I had the decency to lower my voice. “Also? Why the hell are you on a date with Adrian fucking Hayes? And did you know that he asked me out first and I said no? I said no because I thought it wouldn’t be very nice to you! And I worried that if you saw me out with him, it might cause you pain. Ha! I guess not! Because here you are—”
Judd clamped a large hand over my mouth to stop my rant and then grabbed my hand and yanked me away from the fire and deep into the shadows behind a nearby building. As soon as I opened my mouth to say, “And another thing,” he slammed his mouth down on mine.
The little baby-bird-like noise that came out of my nose wasn’t attractive, but I couldn’t help but melt into him. The commanding kiss was feral but also familiar. Controlling but also caressing.
Judd’s hands moved into my hair to clasp my head as if I would ever for any reason want to pull away or stop.
I didn’t. I wouldn’t.
Instead, I let him kiss me for as long as he wanted. Unfortunately, that wasn’t very long. He pulled back and glared at me. “Stop coming to my house if you’re not going to treat me like someone who deserves more than just your body. Now, go home.”
Before I could say anything—rage or complain or beg him for more kisses—he was gone. Back to the bonfire and back to his supposed date.
I blew out a breath and put my fingers to my lips.
I was never getting over Judd Kincaid, was I?
“Fuck that,” I said into the freezing cold night. “There’s nothing to get over! I stopped that in its tracks before it could get started. I am perfectly capable of enjoying my life without him. Watch me.”
I spent the following week forcing myself to put the chief out of my mind and have fun. I worked hard, but I also played hard. Rosie invited me to the town snowball fight, and I agreed on the condition we wouldn’t talk about “other” subjects.
And it was fun. Honestly.
Things were good.
Until three days after that, when Timber had another random fire inspection. And I lost my fucking mind.
32
KINCAID
Max: No offense but you need to get laid, man. Take advantage of that bitch of a layover in Amsterdam. I’ll see you in two days.
_____________________
When the system popped up a reminder to revisit Timber again since I’d forgotten to inspect the decorations the last time, I groaned.
“Problem, Chief?” McMasters called out from down the hall.
I opened my mouth to ask him to take this inspection visit, but then I remembered just how happy Alex had seemed lately. I resented the hell out of him for acting like he was suddenly over our… whatever it was… and I also still resented him calling me out while I was just doing my job at the bonfire.
So. Fuck him. He was getting the full heat of my focus for his inspection visit, and he could fuck right off if he didn’t like it.
Part of me knew I would unleash another shitstorm when I showed up, so I put it off until the last possible moment. I waited until I was done for the day and headed out. Instead of pulling up in front of Timber, I passed it and went to Frank’s instead for a beer.
Sujo and his girlfriend Tiffany were there, but they seemed to be in an argument about their Christmas holiday plans with various family commitments, so I stayed well away from them, tucking into my own little corner and pulling out my phone to answer a recent text from Max I hadn’t responded to yet.
I’d finally told him about Alex, but only because I hadn’t wanted him to hear about it from Kaidee or to ask her to keep it a secret. He was pissed. How dare that fucker not give you a chance. You? You’re a catch. Fuck him.
It was his role as my best friend to be protective, but I still hated hearing him speak spitefully about someone I truly cared for.
Max
You still haven’t told me if you’ll come for Christmas. Say yes, bro. Make it happen.
I stared at the text.
Think I’m gonna stay here.
Max
You staying for the kid?
Max had thought the thirteen-year age difference between Alex and me was a problem, but I’d told him the truth: I honestly never thought about our ages anymore when Alex and I were together.
Lay off, brother. I know you’re in my corner and I love you for it. But Alex isn’t a kid. And I don’t blame him for feeling hurt and confused.