Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Ronan watched me, his eyes darkening. “The sounds you make when you eat are fucking sexy.”
I paused mid-bite, my cheeks heating. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“Like this?” I took another bite, letting my eyes flutter shut on purpose.
A muscle in his jaw ticked. “Careful, baby. We’re in public.”
“You started it,” I teased.
While we ate, he asked about the orchard, the festival, and my siblings. When I brought up his family, he didn’t go into too much detail, except to say they moved around a lot when he was growing up.
When we finished, he paid and drove me back to the orchard. I was mentally debating whether I should invite him inside as he walked me up the stairs to my apartment.
He looked at the door and frowned. “No security lights. No cameras. One lock on the door?”
I shrugged. “Nothing ever happens here.”
His frown deepened as he pulled out his phone and sent a quick text. “I’m gonna add some extra security measures. Tomorrow.”
I blinked. “You’re serious.”
“Dead serious.” He pocketed the phone and stepped closer, backing me gently against the door. “Like I said last night, I’m not taking any chances with you. I protect what’s mine.”
His protectiveness had me melting against him. “Okay.”
He brushed his lips against mine, but the kiss quickly heated, as though he’d been holding back all night. One of his big hands tangled in my hair, and the other gripped my hip, pulling me against his broad chest.
I arched into him, my fingers digging into his shoulders. His beard scraped my chin as his tongue stroked mine, and I made a needy sound I couldn’t hold back.
He groaned into my mouth and pressed me harder against the door. His thigh slipped between mine, giving me just enough pressure to make me gasp. Heat pooled in my core, but then he gentled the kiss before pulling back.
“Not like this,” he rasped. “When I take you, you’re gonna understand what it means.”
Feeling dazed, I nodded, even though every part of me ached for more.
He gave me one more soft kiss, then he stepped back. “Lock up, baby.”
“I will.”
I unlocked the door and slipped inside. Turning the deadbolt, I leaned against the hard surface, my heart hammering.
My phone buzzed less than a minute later.
Ronan
Good girl. Sleep tight. See you tomorrow.
Smiling at the screen, my body still hummed from his touch.
I was already in deep with Ronan, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
7
REBEL
The next day, I made good on my promise to beef up security. My brothers showed up around midmorning, rolling onto the property on motorcycles and in one SUV loaded with equipment. Kevlar parked near the barn, removing his helmet and scanning the area with a practiced, assessing gaze. Wizard, Echo, and a handful of prospects followed him. Cross climbed out of the SUV and opened the back to haul out heavy boxes of cameras and cables. Before I even reached them, Wizard was already halfway toward Clara’s apartment, his tablet tucked under one arm and a kit full of electronics under the other.
Clara eyed us warily, hands on her hips as we approached the store. Her cheeks flushed with mild embarrassment and a spark of exasperation, clearly believing my insistence on added security was excessive.
“You realize you're turning this place into Fort Knox,” she teased, raising one eyebrow challengingly as she surveyed the gear we carried.
I paused, moving close enough that her eyes widened slightly, the pink in her cheeks deepening as she gazed up at me. “You’re damn right. Nothing less is acceptable when it comes to you.”
Clara’s dad appeared from around the corner of the store, his stride purposeful as he approached us. He’d clearly overheard the exchange and amusement twinkled in his eyes as he chuckled deeply.
“Not gonna complain about extra eyes keeping watch over my family, Clara,” he told his daughter gently, giving her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. He turned his gaze to me, steady and thoughtful. “Anything you boys need to get it set up properly, just let me know.”
I inclined my head in acknowledgment. “Thanks, Larry. We won’t disrupt business—just putting some extra layers of protection in place. Making sure no unwanted visitors can get too close without being noticed.”
“Fair enough.” He held out his hand for a firm shake. His grip was strong and calloused, and his expression was still open, but with a slightly more serious edge than I’d seen before. “I’ll admit, seeing my daughter involved with someone from your world makes a father nervous. But going out of your way to make sure she’s safe proves you’re willing to do right by her. Keep doing stuff like this, and you’ve got my support.”
Something in my chest tightened at his quiet approval. My voice was rougher than I expected when I replied, “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”