Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23116 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23116 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“So you’ve missed me.” Tins smiles up at him. “Clearly.”
“I heard you're a sheriff now. How in the hell did that happen?”
“I was voted in. Obviously I’m popular.” I bite the inside of my cheek to suppress a laugh while Ray here is trying to not be pissed at the idea of Tinsel being a sheriff.
“Troping is—”
“Watch it.” Tins cuts him off, all the teasing fun in her tone gone. “How about I get you a cider or hot chocolate?”
“Ah sure.” Ray is as confused as I am at her sudden change.
“Be right back.” She beams and practically skips off. Then I remember the liquid Colace.
“How the hell is she sheriff?” he asks me.
“She’s what Troping needs, and I’m not saying that because she’s my best friend. Our town is different.” Some might not understand it, but we don’t care.
“Fair enough. I guess I agree with you there. A lot of special things come from Troping.” He steps toward me, and I want to back up, but I can’t or I’ll fall over my table. “I saw your name on the competition list and thought I might swing by. I’m friends with the owner of the Westchester Sweetway Bakery.”
“I’ve never actually tried them,” I admit.
I was told they’d be my biggest competition today and not because of how good their cake is but because this is their hometown. I haven’t heard the nicest things about Mr. Sweetway. In fact, I’ve been told he’s not sweet in any way, especially to his staff, but that could just be gossip.
“How about we sneak off to his booth?” Ray suddenly grabs me by the wrist.
“I should probably stay with my table,” I rush to say, but he pulls me to walk with him, and I’m not expecting it. He does it so fast that I trip over my own feet and start to fall. Ray catches me, and of course, his hands go straight to my butt. The man was always too damn handsy.
“Ray…” I try to push away, but he only pulls me against him. I drop my head back to tell him to let go, but I see his mouth is descending toward mine. I turn my face so his mouth doesn’t meet mine, but it doesn’t matter because it never would have landed.
A very familiar hand wraps around Ray’s throat, and then he’s yanked away from me. If people thought Clause was grumpy before, what the hell are they going to call him now?
Chapter Fourteen
CLAUSE
“You back the fuck away from my girl, or I’ll kill you with my bare hands,” I say through clenched teeth, and I toss Ray back a few steps. He sputters and coughs as he glares at me, but all I can think about is pulling his arms clean off his body.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Jack places a hand on my shoulder, and I feel him give it a little squeeze. “Let’s not threaten to kill the Westchester cop in a room full of people.” His voice lowers, and he leans in closer to me. “We can do that out back away from all these eyes.”
I decide he’s probably right because my actions have just caught the attention of almost everyone nearby.
“You watch your back or—”
“Fresh hot apple cider coming up!” Tinsel announces as she steps between Ray and me and passes the drink to him.
What the fuck is she doing? She’s supposed to be on Frostie’s side, and that pencil dick just put his hands on her.
“At least somebody around here knows how to be polite,” Ray says as he takes the cup and chugs half of it. He clears his throat that’s already starting to bruise from where I grabbed him. “Get your boy out of my town before he does something he regrets,” Ray says before glancing back at Frostie. “See ya around.” I take a step toward him, but Tinsel blocks me as he drinks the rest of his cider and tosses the empty cup at my feet.
“Let him go,” Tinsel whispers. “I made sure karma has a direct route to his butthole.” She shrugs as Jack moves beside her. “Plus I’d rather call his chief and file an official report. I heard he’s already got two strikes against him, and I’d love to be the one that gets his badge taken away.”
Before I can process what Tinsel is saying, I turn around and see Frostie behind me with wide eyes. She looks terrified and like she might cry, but I’m still so fucking pissed. I want to beat Ray until my fists are bloody, but apparently I can’t do that.
“I’m sorry,” Frostie says softly.
I’m so fucking mad that someone put their hands on what’s mine. Maybe it’s because I’ve never truly had someone that meant something to me until her. In my mind, I’ve always thought of her as something that I was supposed to protect and take care of, and now I’ve failed. I’m mad at myself and not her, but I know if I start speaking, I won’t be able to say that the right way.