Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 69129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
The gears.
The speed.
The intensity.
Heavenly engine roars overpower the sounds of Duke Ellington and delectable vibrations rattle every fiber of my being until I’m left almost dazed and defenseless.
In a matter of mere minutes, gone is the overly cautious, overly controlling, comic nerd I let educate me in the vast difference between Deadshot and Deathstroke and in his place, a cocky, confident, car aficionado that can absolutely afford the speeding ticket that we – along with our trailing far behind security escort – are going to get.
“Left,” Wes abruptly begins after cutting around an older sedan, “is not only where Vanessa lives, but the same direction as our favorite movie theater.”
It’s hard to fully drink in the area we’re passing at the speed we’re going.
“We have a theater room at the estate yet the two of you are convinced the popcorn there is much better than Lucky’s.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.” His smirk gets me giggling. “However, if you ever tell Lucky I said that – or anything remotely close – I will thoroughly deny it like our son does when it comes to Lucky’s Brussel sprouts.”
There’s no stopping my theatrical gasp. “He likes Brussel sprouts?”
“As long as the two of us aren’t watching.”
“Asshole.”
Light laughter sounds get lost in between the upbeat jazz and system purrs but I see it.
And I love to see it.
And I wanna see more of it.
And more.
“To the right,” Wes proceeds, whipping in front of another vehicle in tandem with moving that direction, “about seven minutes away from the highway, there’s an exotic fish breeder – Mercurio – who sold us the fancy guppies that we just had to have for Wy’s first birthday party – because you read him The Rainbow Fish and both became obsessed – that Clark now plays cribbage with at least once a month.”
“I love that he loves that book.”
“He loves alotta books.” My husband doesn’t even hesitate to beam. “Mostly ones about the ocean or creatures from the ocean.”
More gleeful giggles escape encouraging the describing to continue.
Mentions of comic book shops prompt rounds of teasing that have us play fighting back and forth until more familiar terrain comes into view. At that point, the tour resumes with gestures to hole in the wall beach cafes, local thrift stores, and even surfboard shops that Calen evidently loves.
It’s obvious by the change in tone, the slight discomfort he has for my male bestie I haven’t seen or spoken to since the incident, yet rather than pull off that snorkel mask, I swim into other waters.
Do my best to keep us focused on the here and now.
Present.
“All the public beach parking areas are closed, Mr. Wilcox,” I playfully poke as he pulls into the gated territory. “Hence the bar blocking our path dead ahead.”
Cockiness doesn’t hesitate to hop into his expression. “I have a way around that.”
“You bought a beach, didn’t you?”
“No,” the corners of his lips curl upward at the same time he tosses me a mischievous look, “but I am in the market for a beach manor. I think it’d be good to have for you and Little Hero.”
Excitement immediately drops my jaw.
“Our agent – Kirsten – hasn’t seen anything we’d like, but she’ll expand her search to South Haven Island when she returns from the real estate symposium, she’s attending in Hawaii with an old course mate.”
“Do I get a say in our beach residence?”
“I can’t imagine you’d accept one you didn’t.” Smugness is flashed mere seconds before our security detail finally pulls in behind us. Afterward, he rolls down the window, closes the small amount of distance between us and the booth, and greets the guard inside. “Evening, Abbas.”
“Evening, Mr. Wilcox,” says the male inside.
“Anywhere in the lot?”
“Yeah.” He leans down giving me a glimpse of the long, thick bearded, amber skinned individual. “Remember beach fires and camping overnight are currently prohibited. You have until four a.m. to vacate the premises. I’m here if you have any questions or need any further assistance.”
“Thank you.”
Nods are exchanged prior to the gate lifting, granting us access inside.
Wes veers to the left while our SUV escort branches off to the right presenting us with more than enough space to give the illusion of seclusion, which I’m beyond grateful for.
“Spill, Mr. Wayne.” I demand at the same time we both unbuckle our seatbelts. “How’d you pull this off?”
“Donations can get you quite far in life, Ms. Kyle.” His gaze glides over to me. “Something you may want to remember upon your return to the office.” We each flash smiles yet post mine he inquires, “Miss it?”
“The office or the ocean?”
“They’re one in the same for you.”
“They really fucking are,” leaves me in a swoony nature.
“We should spend more time here as a whole family,” Wes suggests as he kills the engine and relocates the keys to the dashboard. “You and Wy visit often without me, but I’d like to change that. And I have a feeling buying a beach property will aid in that process.”