Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 112762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“See, standing there looking all GI Joe with that steely expression of yours,” Sloane said with a smile in her voice as she halted in front of me, “makes me want to ruffle your feathers, and I don’t have time. So stop looking all sexy and get moving, soldier.”
Without thinking, I wrapped my hand around the back of her head and pulled her up into me for a thorough kiss that had her panting and rubbing her body against mine. Problem was, I could feel my blood heating again and shooting straight for my dick.
Woman had me acting like a teenager.
I released her, feeling smug at the dazed look in her eyes, at her swollen, pretty mouth. “I’ll go, but I’m waiting out in the car for Ed to show up.” Ed was one of the security team from Ardnoch. “It’s his turn to watch over you tonight.”
“I hope these guys are getting a bonus for doing this,” Sloane murmured as she pulled away and then edged around me to head downstairs. “It must be boring as hell.”
I followed her downstairs. “It’s their job.”
“Hmm. Well, nothing has happened in two weeks, so I’m not sure there is a threat.”
“Until I know where Andros is, so I can or can’t eliminate him as a suspect, security stays on you.”
Sloane stopped by the couch and looked at me with a glimmer in her eyes. “Let’s hope you don’t find him for a while, because I thoroughly enjoyed having security on me. I mean, in me.”
Amusement curled my lips. “Cute.”
Her light laughter hit me in the gut, and it was time to go. Now. “I’m off.”
She nodded and, still grinning, replied, “After getting me off. Just as we agreed.”
“What are you? The innuendo queen?” I asked as I passed her, rejecting the urge to kiss her again before I left.
“Oh, yeah, I can make anything sound dirty.”
It was nice to see her in such a good mood. Relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen her in a while. I couldn’t regret that either. “Evenin’, Sloane.”
Her smile softened, her tone sincere now. “Evening, Walker. I had a lovely time.”
“Me too. Talk soon.” I gave her a nod and then stepped out of the cottage, closing the door behind me. I waited to hear Sloane locking it before I crossed the street to where my SUV was parked illegally. Half expecting a ticket, eyes on the front window, it took me a second to notice the tires.
“What the …” I reached the car and lowered to my haunches to inspect the front driver’s side tire.
A very obvious slash cut through it.
Alert, I stood and looked around the street. A few people milled around farther down near the cafés and shops. No one was looking in this direction. No one suspicious was hanging around.
I quickly checked all four tires.
All slashed.
I whipped out my phone and sent a group text to the small security team I’d gathered to help watch over Sloane. The group included Lachlan, and the message I sent updated them on the situation. I told Ed he didn’t need to show because I’d watch over Sloane and Callie tonight. Lachlan called me and said he’d send a recovery vehicle. After explaining there was no sign of the suspect, we agreed we’d ask around the village later to see if anyone had seen anything.
That decided, I hurried back across the street and pounded on Sloane’s door. “It’s me!”
A few seconds later, the door swung open. Sloane stared up at me, wide-eyed. “What’s wrong?”
“Looks like I’m staying for dinner,” I bit out, striding inside and shutting the door behind me. I locked it and peered out the window onto the street.
“Walker, what’s going on?”
At the fear in Sloane’s voice, I turned. “Someone slashed my tires.”
Her face paled. “In broad daylight?”
“Aye.”
“Surely, someone saw something, then?”
“We’ll ask around in the morning. For now, you’re stuck with me, I’m afraid.”
“He’s being a little skunk!” Callie huffed in frustration as we sat eating dinner, plates on our laps.
Sloane’s daughter hadn’t overanalyzed my being here. She was too busy being mad at her best friend because he was annoyed that she kept beating him at things. I wondered if life was ever that simple for me. It probably had been at one point.
“Cal,” Sloane admonished after swallowing a bite of the pasta we’d poured out of a packet. “Don’t call Lewis a skunk.”
“He is.” Callie gestured with her fork. “He can’t stand that I’m good at tae kwon do and video games. I beat him once in class, and I beat him today on the Nintendo, and suddenly it’s a problem? He beats me all the time!”
Sloane flinched comically. “Bad choice of phrase, baby girl.”
I tried not to smile around a bite.
“He refused to play for the rest of the day and holed up in his room. I ended up playing Nintendo with Eilidh because she isn’t a little skunk. Do you think I should have let him win?”