Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
She hangs up a moment later, dropping her phone beside her.
"Poor Mina," she sighs. "Why can't they ever just let people have their privacy?"
"Because they suck," I say, climbing to my feet. "Do you need to go back to the resort, princess?"
"No. Not yet, anyway," she says, leaning her head back against the couch to look up at me. "The other girls are there. She'll call if she needs me."
"Good," I grunt, prowling toward her. "Then I have plans for you."
"Sex isn't plans, Cord," she says, laughing quietly when I lift her into my arms.
"I'm not talking about sex, smart ass. I'm putting your sexy ass in the tub to soak. While you do that, I'm cooking dinner. Then we're going to cuddle by the fire and you're going to tell me all about this book you're writing about me." I brush my lips against hers, nipping gently. "And if you're really good, then I'll let you choke on my cock before you remind me how good you sound screaming my name."
"Cord," she moans, stealing another little piece of my heart.
Chapter Nine
CASSIA
"Why aren't you back at the resort?" Rhys demands, his voice rife with suspicion.
"Because it snowed?" I ask, clutching the phone to my ear and scowling out the kitchen window. He's so nosy! I swear, having a detective as an older brother is incredibly annoying. It's like his bullshit radar never misses. He can smell a lie before I even tell it.
"Two days ago, Cassia," he says. "It snowed two days ago."
"I've been doing research for my new book."
He snorts his disbelief.
"I have. This ranch breeds red Angus," I say, a little smug about it. "They're coming into calving season, so there's a lot of work to do. I've been learning the ropes." This is only partially untrue. Cord let me follow him around most of the day today. At least until I distracted him in the hay barn and Jace almost caught him with his hand down my pants.
Apparently, Hamburger is on the lam again. Cord sent me inside so he could go track the bull down a few hours ago. It's after dark and he still isn't back. I'm starting to worry that something happened to him or that crazy bull. I haven't heard from him at all since he left. Calling Rhys to distract myself might have been a mistake though. He's not helping calm me down any. He's just driving me nuts.
"Right," he says. "You've always been a piss poor liar, Cassia. What's his name?"
"Who's name?"
"Whichever Decker brother has you all twisted up in knots. Is it Cord or Camden?"
"How do you know their…never mind," I mumble. Of course he knows their names. He probably knows their entire life histories at this point. I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't already called the local Sheriff to grill him too. Have I mentioned that having a cop for a brother is lame? I think about denying that either of the brothers is involved in my decision to stay at the ranch, but quickly decide against it. "His name is Cord."
Rhys sighs. "Is he good to you?"
"So good," I whisper. Cord has been nothing but amazing to me since I got here. Last night, he was incredible. I've never been pampered before, but he spoiled me. After I soaked in a bubble bath, he fed me steak and baked potatoes, then we cuddled by the fire and talked for hours. Eventually, he stripped me naked and gave me another "lesson". This one involved his hands and mouth all over my body…and me riding his face while I sucked him off. I don't even remember falling asleep, or him carrying me to bed. But I woke up this morning with his face between my thighs. "Rhys, I think…" I trail off and swallow hard. "I know I'm in love with him."
Rhys is completely silent for a long moment, absorbing, and then he sighs. "I figured that was the case, baby sister," he says. "You wouldn't still be there if you didn't love him."
"I'm scared," I admit.
"Of what?" His voice drops to a growl. "If he's not good to you…."
"No, it's not that," I hurry to say. "He's amazing, Rhys. Truly. He treats me like a queen. It's just…I don't know what I'm doing! Do I tell him how I feel? Do I just not say anything and go home on Sunday? How do I know if he feels the same way?"
"If he's got a fucking brain in his head, he feels the same way," Rhys growls. "Our mother may not see the incredible woman she raised, but everyone who knows you does, Cass. Only an idiot wouldn't know you're the best thing that could ever happen to him. If he doesn't see that, he's not nearly good enough for you and never will be."