Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
"Ready to go?" I ask, a hint of teasing in my voice. "You look hungry."
She's slow to lift her eyes to mine, and I see the desire there, but unlike me, she's able to blink it away, containing it just as quickly as she let it show. I swear the woman is a damned magician.
"I've made some progress in here, but you're going to need a better filing system if you have any hope of keeping it in order," she says as she stands, reaching for her jacket on the back of the office chair.
"Tell me what to get and I'll have it here next time you want to come in."
She lets her eyes roam around the room before looking back at me. "I'll get you a list."
I stay in the doorway when she approaches, using the opportunity to press my lips to hers once again as she flips the office light off.
"I'm going to head over to Madison's. I'd appreciate it if you hold back for a while so we don't look like we're arriving together."
"So I guess that's a no to the question I was going to ask about you riding over there with me."
"I'll take my own car," she says.
"I don't want to hide us," I tell her, my hand locked on her hip because I know this topic of conversation isn't something she'll easily entertain. "Is it asking too much for you not to do it either?"
Her eyes lock on my chest, and I hate that she can't look me in the eyes sometimes when she speaks.
"We aren't dating, Walker."
The muscles in my jaw flex when I clench my teeth together. I know she's like a wounded animal. She's been doing everything all by herself for so long that she doesn't even know how to accept other people in her life. Had I known the things I know now, a few years ago, shortly after she got to town, this would be an entirely different situation. We would've already moved past all this posturing.
"We can always stay here and make out until you're more comfortable with me touching you."
I bite my lower lip when I see a spark of interest in her eyes, because as much as that idea might appeal to her, the woman has other responsibilities, and I'd never try and convince her that being a mother isn't important.
"I have to get to Larkin," she says.
"I know you do. Get out of here. I'll see you at Madison and Chase's house."
I keep my back to her as she walks away. After the front door of the bar closes behind her, I stand inside and wait for that godawful whine of her car, feeling a little disappointed that it started to begin with. Had she had the same trouble she had a few weeks ago, I could have gotten her back in my truck and could have spent the ride over to Chase's with my hand on her thigh.
Staying back at the bar seems to take forever, and eventually, I give up on waiting. Arriving at two different times doesn't even matter. Madison knows we were both at the bar together. She spoke to Claire on my damn phone.
As if my ass is on fire, I lock up the bar and jump into my truck.
I fully expect her to already be at the Graves Estate, but I somehow end up right behind her, not long after the four-way stop in the middle of town.
Instead of driving directly to the house, I watch as she pulls over on the side of the road. She's out of her car, her face a mask of anger, as she walks over to my driver's side window.
"Walker," she growls, and I can't help but smile.
I completely understand her irritation.
"I can get you off in seconds," I promise. "Come get in the truck."
I pat the seat beside me but there isn't even a flash of desire in her eyes.
"Come on. You're sexually frustrated, and I don't want you looking at the hockey star in some sort of way. I've been friends with the man since elementary school, and I'd hate to have to whip his ass in front of his wife and kids."
"Is that what you think of me? That I'd do that with a married man? I don't look at married men like that."
"You better not be looking at any men like that," I say, wondering how the warning in my voice will be received.
She frowns at me.
Jesus, this is going down the drain fast.
"I didn't mean… it was a joke. A bad one apparently."
"You aren't respecting my wishes," she says. "I asked you to stay behind."
"I did stay. Not the thirty minutes like you asked, but I don't want to be late for dinner."
"My car stalled at the stop sign," she mutters. "It took a few minutes to get it started again."