Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I have.”
“See?” Mav turned to Stitch. “I was right from the start.”
Before either of them could say anything more, I announced, “I’m out.”
I gave them both a quick wave, then turned and walked out to my pickup. As much as I hated to take a cage, I didn’t have a choice. The weather had turned, and it was just too fucking cold and dangerous to take the bike. Once I’d gotten inside, I buckled up and headed out the front gate.
On the way out to Smokey’s place, I thought about Cotton and Stitch announcing that they were considering stepping down, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It was tough because I knew once Cotton and Stitch made their move, Maverick and Clutch would soon follow after.
The four had been the force behind Fury since the day I patched in, and it would be hard to see them step down. But at the same time, I had faith in my brothers. I knew that, together, we could handle anything that came our way, so I decided not to dwell on the impending changes that were coming. Instead, I would focus on the here and now.
And with Jules in the picture, the here and now was a good place to be. When I got out to Smokey’s, she was finishing up in the barn with Caroline. She wasn’t fixed up. She was just wearing typical jeans and a pullover for work, but she looked beautiful with her hair pulled back and her rosy-red cheeks. She smiled, and her entire face lit up when she spotted me walking in her direction.
Damn.
There was nothing better than seeing that look on her face. I couldn’t help but smile right back at her as I said, “Hey there, beautiful. You ready to go?”
“Yeah, just a minute.” She rushed toward the back and shouted, “I’ve gotta grab my stuff.”
“Take your time.”
Once she was out of earshot, Caroline stepped over to me and asked, “Hey... Have you talked to Hayes?”
“Well, yeah. I’ve talked to him.”
“I know I shouldn’t ask, but has he said anything about me?”
“Afraid not.” I gave her a shrug. “But that doesn’t mean anything.”
“It means plenty. At least now I know he’s not interested, and I can quit thinking about it.”
“I don’t know if...”
“It’s fine, Q. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” She feigned a smile as she told me, “I just thought he was... Never mind. I’m over it.”
“Over what?” Jules continued towards us, and the second she saw Caroline’s face, she grimaced. “Oh, you’re talking about Hayes.”
“We were talking about him, but not anymore.” Caroline flicked her hand in the air. “I’m over it and moving on. Besides, there was nothing to it.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, silly. I’m fine.” She waved us on as she said, “Now, you guys get out of here and go have a good time.”
“Okay, but call if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
After a quick wave, Jules followed me over to my truck and got inside. Moments later, we were on our way to my place. It wasn’t the first time I’d picked her up from work. I had done it countless times, and usually, she was quick to share her day, telling me everything that had transpired out at the orchard. But tonight, she was quiet. Hell, she’d barely even look at me.
When we got to the house, she still wasn’t talking, so I went over to her and asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yes and no.”
“I’m gonna need more than that, babe.”
“I’ve just got something I need to talk to you about.”
“Well, I’ve got something I need to talk to you about, too.”
“Oh?” Her cheeks flushed red with worry, and she sounded utterly panicked as she asked, “Is something wrong?”
“No, babe. Nothing’s wrong.” I placed my hands on her hips and pulled her close. “In fact, everything’s good. Really good.”
“Oo-kay.” She let out a slow, relieved breath before saying, “Then, what do you need to talk to me about?”
“Thanksgiving.” I glanced over at her as I said, “I wanted to see if you’d be interested in having dinner with me at the clubhouse.”
“You want me to come to Thanksgiving with you?”
“Well, yeah. You’re my girl. Of course, I want you to come with me.”
“Your girl?” she asked, sounding surprised. “Hmmm. I kind of like the sound of that.”
“You sure about that?”
She nodded, then in a faint voice, said, “I think we’ve found a good thing.”
“I think we have a good thing, too.”
Jules and I shared an unlikely connection—first, it was driven by lust—on my part, but it quickly turned into something more. She was a wonder to me, and each day, I found another reason to be with her.
There was no denying it, I was falling for Jules and falling hard.
I knew it was fast. I knew I was taking a risk, but I didn’t care.