Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“Not a chance. You and the owner of an NHL team? Why’d you fuck me when you can fuck him instead?”
My mouth dropped open. “Tyler!”
He raised an eyebrow. “I said what I said. What are you doing with me?”
“Well, right now, we’re looking for your sister. Or did you forget Skylar?”
“I raised my sister. I’d never forget her.” He thought a moment and cringed. “Except I did for a bit, but I was distracted. By you. You distracted me.”
I was about done with members of the opposite sex blaming me for their mistakes. “You might want to rephrase that statement. Right now.”
He continued to study me. “I said what I said. What are you doing with me? He’s a billionaire, you know.” He leaned closer, dropping his voice. “And if he says he wants to be friends, he’s lying. He wants to fuck you. He just might keep you around a bit longer afterward. That’s all that means.”
“You are such a jackass.”
“Yeah. I am, but I’m not lying. That man doesn’t want to be friends. Are you fucking him already?”
“Stop talking. Please.” The bar came into view, and I hit the turn signal. I’d never been more grateful to see a bar in my life. “We’re here.”
Tyler kept quiet until after I parked and shut the engine off. Then he leaned over. “If you’re fucking us both, keep it clean. Safe sex and all.” He was out of the car before I could even process what he’d said. His door slammed shut.
As soon as I did, I exploded after him. “Hey!” I yelled.
He ignored me, already halfway to the entrance. He’d shoved his hands into the front of his hoodie, pulling the sweatshirt tight around his shoulders. He’d put a ballcap on low and his hood up over the back of his hat.
All signs indicated that he wanted to go in under the radar, but just as I caught up with him, the front door opened and a bouncer stepped out. “If you’re going to call me a slut, then use the actual word,” I hissed. “Don’t be a passive-aggressive little bitch about it.”
Tyler whirled around.
I swallowed, meeting his gaze head on.
“Pretty sure I was clear,” he said. “You fucking him or not?”
“No, I’m not.” I stepped closer, digging my finger into his chest. “For the record, I have done nothing since I met you. I told you who I was. I was honest with you.”
“Not fucking fast enough.”
I winced as if I’d been slapped.
He cursed under his breath. “I didn’t mean that.”
I shook my head, woodenly. “No. Say it. You meant it, and I am sorry it took me that long. I did tell you, though. I came clean. Right now, you’re the one with the problem. You’re the one who can’t choose, so I’m saying it. Either get your head together and choose to move on—with me or without me. I am so done with being shit on by hockey players.” I stepped away from him, ignored the bouncer, whose jaw was on the floor, and went inside Harry’s Tulip.
I took a moment to absorb the giant flowers on the wall and all around the bar. Techno music blared, neon lights pulsed. Many of the guys were walking around shirtless. My heart rested easy, because no matter the jackass behind me, I felt safe here.
Tyler stepped up next to me, also looking around. “This is a gay bar.”
42
TYLER
We went to the bar, and the bartender took one look at us and began shaking his head. He was slim, maybe six feet tall with a pretty-boy face. The guy fought back a grin. “What can I get for you?” Giving me a once-over, he turned to Rain, indicating me. “No offense, but first time?”
Rain smiled. “We’re looking for someone. Skylar Griffin.”
The change was immediate. He stiffened. His eyes hardened. “Who’s asking?”
A table of women were now eyeing Rain. I stepped closer and placed my hand at the small of her back. She tensed in surprise and glanced at me. This was a gay bar. Those women could be straight, and usually I’d be the one getting the attention. I wasn’t, and a possessive streak rose within me. Rain was mine.
“I am. I’m her brother.”
His mouth formed a small o. He reached for a rag on the counter.
I took some comfort when he didn’t outright lie and say he didn’t know her, but he looked torn.
“A buddy told me she’s been calling him, and he was concerned enough to reach out,” I continued. “If you know my sister, you know that generally she and I get along.”
His shoulders softened. “Yeah. I—” His eyes clamped shut. He hissed under his breath, “Fuck.”
“Look, a compromise? Call her and see if she’ll talk to me. Or see if she’ll come here. She feels comfortable in this place. It’s her territory.”