Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 146666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 587(@250wpm)___ 489(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 733(@200wpm)___ 587(@250wpm)___ 489(@300wpm)
“But I should talk to him. He’ll want to hear from me.”
“If he insists on talking to you, I’ll bring the phone in. But I’ll try to reassure him that you’re all right.”
“You shouldn’t have to tell him, though. He’s going to be upset.”
“I can handle it. It’s not for you to worry about.”
But guilt filled her. He was having to do everything while she sat here coloring.
“Don’t ever feel like you’re asking too much, all right? I’m a big boy. I can tell you if it’s too much. But I can tell you right now that it won’t ever be enough.”
She wasn’t sure if she was meant to hear that last part.
But if that was true . . . Lord, he could be everything she’d ever wanted.
20
“Remember, I’m taking care of the bill for the car,” Hack said as he helped her into his truck the following morning.
She heaved a sigh. Lord, the man was stubborn. Look up stubborn in the dictionary and there would be a picture of Hack.
Also see: bull-headed, overprotective, and sexy.
“No arguments,” he added firmly.
“Just because you say no arguments doesn’t mean I don’t get to argue.” She glanced around. She had the weirdest feeling of being watched.
But that couldn’t be right . . . could it?
Maybe she should say something to Hack.
Right . . . and then he can dump you off at the nearest hospital. Because there’s no way he will believe you.
No one would.
“Of course it does,” he replied with a grin. “Otherwise, why would I say it?”
“Then I get to pay for my jacket and boots?” Apparently, he was still taking her shopping after they got her car sorted.
She wasn’t really looking forward to that part. Shopping had never been fun for her. Maybe because she never had any money to spend.
“No, baby. That’s your punishment.”
She glared at him. “You’re nuts. You know that, right?”
Also see: Insane.
“You say nuts. I say pure damn genius.”
She shook her head, but her lips twitched slightly. It was hard to stay mad at him. He was so optimistic while being a complete Neanderthal. He’d grin while telling you exactly what was going to happen.
She reached for her seatbelt, but he brushed her hands away with a firm look. “No.”
“No?”
“I will buckle your seatbelt.”
“Because I’m incapable of doing it myself? I’ve been doing it a long time.”
“Because I want to ensure it’s done properly. That you’re safe.”
Crap.
If he kept talking like this . . . she wasn’t sure she would ever recover.
See also: Charming.
But still nuts.
After doing up the seatbelt, he yanked on it to make sure it was properly situated. And she had to press her hands together not to reach for him. Not to grab him and drag him to her so she could kiss him senseless.
She’d never been this attracted to a man in her life.
He was getting under all her defenses to the real Greer. The one that just wanted to curl up in his lap and let him protect her from the big, bad world.
Hack parked his truck in front of the garage.
After they’d both realized that she needed him to stick close to her last night, she’d been much more settled.
She’d sat in front of the television with her coloring and activities book for the evening.
However, he wasn’t stupid enough to think that one night of not worrying meant she was over what had happened.
At least it was another pleasant day. No snowstorm in sight.
Thank fuck. Because she was dealing with enough.
God, she’d been adorable sitting in his oversized T-shirt, giggling at a cartoon as she colored in a huge octopus. She was terrible at coloring, though. She couldn’t stick between the lines to save herself. Which was kind of weird when she was so good at sketching. Although, he’d noticed that when she sketched, she tended to frown a lot and rub at her eyes.
He was starting to have some suspicions about her eyesight.
“Wait there while I come and get you.”
He got out, looking around. He couldn’t help but feel wary of his surroundings now. No one was touching this girl.
You can’t protect her all the time.
He ignored that thought. Walking to the other side of the truck, he opened the back seat first and drew out his leather jacket. Then he moved to her door. He frowned as he opened it and saw she’d already undone her belt.
He supposed that was all right. As long as she didn’t try to get out on her own.
Lifting her down, he wrapped his jacket around her.
“I can’t keep wearing your jacket,” she muttered. “You must be cold.”
“I run hot.”
And even if he didn’t, he’d always ensure her comfort first. He could handle being chilled.
Taking her hand in his, he led her toward the garage.
“Hey there folks.” A guy in his early forties nodded at them, coming forward and cleaning his hands off with a rag. “You two here about the little yellow car?”