Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
I braced, knowing Rowan was close and preparing for whatever torture lay ahead.
One glimpse and I was done.
Her blonde hair full of waves, hanging long down her back. Her make-up heavier than usual and highlighting the shimmer in her blue eyes.
Fucking stunning.
She strutted her ass through the bar, and my cock went hard. The first asshole approached, and I was on the move, primal possession brewing inside. A newfound emotion I’ve come to know when it comes to her.
The look of surprise at seeing me waiting for her… the minute her full lips moved toward mine… the tangy taste of lemon mixed with the scent of her so close.
I should have stopped it.
Who am I fucking kidding?
I’m not a weak man, but with her, there was no choice.
I fell prey to the desire that’s been building for months.
My hand tingles, remembering the feel of her silky hair. The skin on my chest carries a permanent prickle where her hand pressed.
The sound of her purr rings in my head.
Self-preservation kicks in, reminding me of what she had gone through. I’m no better than her fucking ex—mauling her in public.
All is quickly replaced with the regret of rejection stained on her gorgeous features.
You’re a fucking asshole, Whitman I repeat to myself for the thousandth time since she walked away.
A loud rap on my passenger window jars me from my thoughts. Automatically, I reach for my piece at my hip.
“Pretty sure I already have the jump on you.”
I relax at the sound of Talon’s voice and unlock the doors. He slides in, flashing me a smug grin. “You’re getting sloppy in your old age.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Figured this was where I’d find you.”
My eyes go back to the second-story window.
Talon is the only one of the guys who knows my nightly routine. If I get stuck with a situation on shift, he’ll occasionally ride by to check on Rowan’s place and report back to me.
“I spoke to her tonight.” He gets my full attention.
“She okay?”
“Depends. She sounds about as hollow and miserable as you look. You both are shit at covering it.”
“I’m fine.”
“Maybe to the outside, you’re fine. Even if you weren’t a terrible fucking liar, I’d know.”
“It’s all good.”
“Bullshit, Ford. This is me you’re talking to.”
Dammit, it’s useless to argue. The four of us may not be brothers by blood, but Ace, Major, and Talon are family. Closer than family in some cases. Denying his accusation will prolong the inevitable.
“I fucked up.”
“This have anything to do with neither of you returning to the bar Wednesday night?”
“Yeah.”
“Wanna elaborate or play twenty questions?”
“We had a thing. I responded badly, and she left. I followed her and her friend back here to make sure she was safe.”
That’s about as cut and dry as I can put it. His eyes narrow, assessing me sharply.
“Explain what thing could go badly enough to make you both haul ass?”
“It’s between us.”
“Do I need to remind you what that woman has gone through?”
Anger spikes in my veins. “No, you don’t have to fucking remind me. I live it over and over in my head every fucking day.”
“Then why in the hell are you sitting in the dark at eleven-thirty at night, stalking her like a creeper? Why aren’t you on the phone or in her face making it right?”
“Because I hurt her.”
“You hurt her?” He jolts, his gaze narrowing. “How exactly did you hurt her?”
I scrub my hand over my face, thinking of how to keep Rowan’s privacy intact.
“If you don’t talk, I’m asking her.”
“Leave her out of this. It was my screw-up.”
“Obviously.”
“She kissed me and I reacted like a jerk.”
“The woman you’ve wanted for months kisses you and you’re a jerk?”
“It took me by surprise. She was approached on the way to the bathrooms. I went to see if she was okay. We were talking. When it happened, I lost my mind. Then I remembered what she’s been through and pulled away.”
He stares at me for a beat, his gaze turning into a combo of disbelief and humor. “You are a dipshit. Has it been so long you forgot what to do when a hot chick kisses you?”
“Why am I even talking to you?”
“Is that what this is, because you’re intentionally leaving out the details. I get protecting Rowan, but how the fuck am I supposed to work my magic and get your head out of your ass if my intel is slim?”
“You’re enjoying this?”
“Hell yes. But I’ll enjoy it more when I know what you did.”
I blow out a breath and tell him the story. He lets out a low, disapproving whistle when I’m done.
“She thanked you for getting stabbed and you told her it was your job?”
“What was I supposed to say?”
“Jesus.” He drops his chin, shaking his head. “This is worse than I thought. You deserve to lose her.”