Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
I’d originally intended to make Rowe squirm all day—to keep him out of his element, feed him ridiculous foods that were “Sterling Chase’s favorite,” flirt with him outrageously, and see whether I could make him confess everything before I got him into bed. Now, being within five feet of him felt like a threat to my equilibrium.
Thankfully, Devon McKay happened to be just on the other side of this barn. And for maybe the first time, I couldn’t even be sad that life had hardened Dev into one of the most suspicious, grumpy men I knew. Thanks to Silas lighting up our group chat with a play-by-play from last night’s gala like he worked for TMZ, Dev knew exactly who Rowe was, and he’d already given me a ration of shit about the situation via text this morning. Dev didn’t suffer fools, he was impossible to con, and he’d have no trouble helping me rebuild my defenses against the sexy little liar… before I decided I didn’t want to get rid of him at all.
After a final stroke of Starlight’s blaze, I took Rowe’s elbow and led him deeper into the stables toward Trigger’s stall. Sure enough, Dev was crouched down on the floor, tending his precious stallion.
Dev turned when he heard us approaching, straightened to his full, impressive height, and for a single second before he pulled me in for a tight hug, his face lit with the broad, open grin he so rarely wore anymore.
“Bash,” he said warmly, thumping my back. “Shit, it’s good to see you.”
“Same. How was your trip from Texas? “
“Eh.” Dev shrugged and stepped away. “Little engine trouble outside Christiansburg, but we survived.” He threw one heavily muscled arm around his horse’s neck, causing the rolled cuff of his sleeve to ride up. “At least Trigger got to enjoy his new trailer.”
Of course the horse got a swanky new trailer while Dev still drove the same beat-up truck he’d had for years. My smile slipped a fraction, but I knew better than to comment on how Dev spent—or didn’t spend—his money.
“New ink?” I nodded at the lines of black on his forearm.
“Yep.” He tugged his sleeve down before I could see the design and immediately shifted his attention to the man at my side. His smile disappeared as he folded his arms over his chest and gave Rowe a long, thorough up-down. “And who’s this, then? New fuck buddy? Could you not afford a full-sized one?”
Rowe, who’d been steadily inching behind me, froze. His gaze ping-ponged from Devon to the horse and back, like he wasn’t sure which was the greater threat.
I shot Dev a glare. I hadn’t expected Dev to be friendly to Rowe—I’d even hoped he wouldn’t—but fucking with Rowe was one thing. Being mean about it was another.
Dev gave me a blank look in return.
“I’m afraid you’ve misread the situation,” I returned, warning in my tone. “This is the Sterling Chase, founder of Sterling Chase. My boss. Your boss, too, in a way. He goes by Rowe.”
“Rowe.” Dev made the word sound like a threat. “Middle name?”
Rowe blinked. “A-actually… yes.” He sounded almost surprised that he was able to tell the truth for once, and my lips twitched. “It’s a pleasure to meet you in person finally, Devon, after so many years of you serving on the… my… board.” He leaned around me to offer Dev a handshake.
Dev’s huge hand engulfed Rowe’s for a second. “It’s Dev. Nobody but my mother calls me Devon, Sterling. As I’m sure you recall from our many telephone conversations.”
Rowe’s face, which was still pleasantly pink from our kiss, went red, and he stepped back immediately. “Right. Yes. Sorry. Silly me. Dev. That’s, um, a fine horse you’ve got there. Very…” He gestured vaguely with his hands. “Shiny.”
Dev seemed unsure whether Rowe was making fun of him or not. He made a noncommittal noise and stroked the horse’s flank. “Rowe, meet Trigger by Noble out of Zephyr Lake by Legendary Lake.”
“Oh. Wow. I see now why he’s so big. He’d have to be, to carry a name like that.” Rowe gave the horse a tiny, formal bow. “Pleased to make your acquaintance. I’d love to introduce you to my own fine horses sometime. Perhaps we could have a small dinner party. Bash, please make a note.”
Dev shot me a look—Is this guy for real?—and I shrugged minutely. None of Rowe was real. And, I was starting to think, all of him was.
“Silas mentioned that you had some business you wanted to discuss with me, Sterling.” Dev set his jaw. “What’s that about?”
“Oh, no, I… Well. Maybe? There’s a project. Project Daisy Chain.” He flushed hard and gnawed at his lip for a second. “That’s just a working title, of course. I… I mean, the inventor will think up a much more professional title eventually. Right now, it’s just a basic app and a whole lot of research and notes on ways to improve it so that it can be brought to market, but the inventor has, ah… reached the limits of their knowledge. They need help.”