Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
I usually stuck to one drink–the same drink I’d been ordering since college–a cosmo. But I wanted to fit in, and I was being adventurous. I smiled up at him. “Surprise me.”
He leaned over and claimed my mouth. Not a quick peck because we were in public, but a long, slow kiss that made everyone in our crowd whoop and cheer.
I let out a flustered laugh when he sauntered away toward the other guys with a swagger, like he was satisfied he’d just shown everyone in the bar who I belonged to.
“Someone’s smitten.” Marina winked.
“Damn. He’s usually so quiet. My brain is scrambling to update,” Becky said then leaned closer and whispered–although not that softly. “Is he wild in bed?”
I smiled. They reminded me of Lyssa and how, back in high school and college, she’d pester me for any details I had when I went on a date.
“So good,” I said. If Johnny was going to kiss me like he was going off to war in the middle of the bar, then he didn’t mind me telling them the truth.
“But you all know Johnny better than me. Give me the dirt.” I twisted to look over my shoulder at his broad back where he stood at the bar. Gawd, he was hot. I could fall in love with this guy.
Easily.
Except he didn’t even know the real me. He thought I was Lyssa. Was falling in love with Lyssa. What would happen when he found out about plain old boring Emma? Would he still be interested?
“I don’t know. Looks like you know him real well,” Marina said with a big smile and a wink.
I laughed and felt a blush creep up my neck. “Not that. I mean… I mean with clothes on.”
“He’s a good guy. Definitely trustworthy,” Becky said. “And like all the guys at Wolf Ranch, he’s protective.”
“Sweet.”
“Strong.”
“Intense.”
“Thoughtful.”
They went around the table and listed adjectives that were really accurate. Clothes on or off.
“He comes off easy-going, but he’s got a darker side. Well, I don’t mean darker–just serious,” Becky added. Her phone was face up on the table, and the lock screen was of her and Clint and their little daughter who had the same big blue eyes as her.
I had glimpsed Johnny’s more serious side yesterday, when he told me about what happened with his sister, but I wanted to know if it went farther than that. “Oh? Like what?”
A new song came on, and Natalie made a loud whoop along with everyone else in the place.
“He’s close with Clint,” Becky said, her voice a little louder over the noise.
“They’ve been friends ever since he moved here. What happened to him before he came here, well, that’s Johnny’s story to tell you, but I think it really left a mark on him. Underneath all those panty-melting smiles and rippling muscles, he’s cautious.”
Johnny? Cautious? He seemed so spontaneous.
“He told me a little about what happened to his sister,” I offered, wondering if that’s what she meant.
Becky nodded, meaning she knew as well. The others looked a little lost but didn’t comment.
“Yeah, that left its mark on him. He has a firm sense of justice. He values honesty. He definitely doesn’t abide assholes.”
“Who does?” Willow muttered, raising her arm with an empty pitcher in her hand to signal the waitress for another.
He values honesty. How would he feel about me pretending to be Lyssa? Pretending to be spontaneous? Comfortable with her sexuality? Wild and free?
Would he still be interested?
A waitress swung by with a full pitcher of beer and a pint glass filled with a pale yellow drink. “Pineapple cider for Lyssa?”
I raised my hand. “That’s for me. Thanks.”
“Don’t make Johnny all doom and gloom, Beck.” Audrey put her hand on her friend’s forearm. “He’s protective of those he cares about, that’s all. And it looks like he’s decided he cares about Lyssa.”
As a group, we swiveled around on our stools to look Johnny’s way. He stood by the bar with the other guys. All of them were watching their specific woman and Johnny? He only had eyes for me.
Me.
I felt that heat, that need that arced between us from across the room.
“Oh my. That’s hot,” Willow said.
“Good thing the bunkhouse is empty,” Marina added with a giggle.
Yeah, good thing. Because when I told Johnny the truth about me–that I wasn’t actually named Lyssa and all the rest–I didn’t want anyone else around.
“Ooh!” Becky squealed. “Come on, it’s our turn on the bull. I put all our names down since none of us are preggers. Lyssa, you’re totally doing it with us!”
Everyone hopped up as if the table was on fire and headed toward the mechanical bull tucked away in the back.
No. Nope. No way was I getting on that thing!
The others didn’t seem to have the same thoughts. Based on how excited they all were, they thought it was fun.