Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
I take a long sip of coffee, watching her over the rim of the mug. “So, what’s your plan for today? Gonna reorganize more of my stuff while I’m at work?”
She shrugs, her smile innocent. “Maybe. Someone’s got to make this place livable.”
I snort. “Livable for who? A princess?”
She narrows her eyes at me, but there’s no heat in it. “No, just someone who doesn’t think greasy wrenches count as home décor.”
We fall into an easy silence, the banter lingering in the air like static. She perches on the edge of the counter, sipping her coffee, and I realize I’m staring. Again. I need to stop this. Whatever this is.
But before I can figure out how to tear my gaze away, her phone buzzes on the counter and a familiar phone number pops up on her screen. She grabs it quickly, her face paling as she reads the screen.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, my voice sharper than I intended.
She hesitates, biting her lip. “Nothing. It’s just… my dad.”
Her dad. The words hit like a gut punch. My chest tightens, and the pieces fall into place—her last name, the way she avoided my questions about why she came to Devil’s Peak.
“Your dad,” I echo, my voice flat. “You mean… my boss?”
She flinches, and that tells me everything I need to know. “What?”
“That’s my bosses number–he owns the garage along with a few others within a few hours around here. That’s really your dad?”
“Yes. But we haven’t spoken since I was sixteen…he must have caught wind that I’m in town.”
“Damn, Sugar…how’s that for a plot twist? The woman I’ve been sharing my loft with is my boss’ daughter?”
Her eyes widen, and she slides off the counter, stepping toward me. “It’s not like that. My dad and I… we’re not close.”
“No kidding,” I snap, running a hand through my hair. “Do you know what he’s going to do when he finds out about this? About us?”
She folds her arms, her jaw tightening. “Why do you care? What could he possibly do to you?”
My laugh is bitter, humorless. “It’s not about what he’ll do to me. It’s about respect. He gave me a chance when no one else would, and now I’m shacking up with his daughter. Do you have any idea how bad that looks?”
Her face flushes, anger flashing in her eyes. “I’m not some kid, Fox. I’m twenty-five, and I can make my own choices.”
“Yeah? Well, I’m thirty-seven…I don’t think he’s gonna like that too much.”
Her shoulders sag, the fight draining out of her. “I didn’t think you’d react like this.”
The words hit harder than they should, and I curse under my breath, turning away. I don’t trust myself to look at her right now. Not when every instinct I have is telling me to protect her, to claim her, to make it clear to the world—and her father—that she’s mine.
“You should’ve told me, Princess,” I mutter, my voice rough.
“I know,” she says quietly. “But Fox–he doesn’t care about me. He never has.”
I glance back at her, frowning. “What are you talking about?”
She sighs, leaning against the counter. “He left me and my mom when I was a kid. Started over here in Devil’s Peak, and I didn’t see him again until I tracked him down in high school. Spent one summer here trying to reconnect, but… it didn’t work out. He’s a stranger to me, Fox. Always has been.”
Her voice cracks, and something in my chest twists. I want to stay angry, to hold onto the betrayal, but damn it, she’s making it hard.
“Why’d you come back?” I ask, my tone softer.
She hesitates, her fingers tightening around her coffee mug. “I don’t know. Closure, maybe. Or curiosity. I saw the mail-order bride ad, and it seemed… fitting. Like a way to finally understand him, to figure out why he left.”
Her honesty floors me, and for a moment, I don’t know what to say. But then she looks up at me, her eyes glassy, and all the anger drains away.
“Amelia,” I murmur, stepping closer. “Your dad might not care, but I do.”
Her lips part, and I see the surprise in her eyes. Hell, maybe I’m surprised too. But I mean it. She’s turned my life upside down in the best way, and I’ll be damned if I let her slip through my fingers.
“He’s going to find out eventually,” I say, my voice firm. “And when he does, I’ll have to handle it.”
Her brow furrows. “Fox—”
“I mean it,” I interrupt, my hand brushing hers. “You’re mine, Amelia. He’s just going to have to deal with it.”
Her cheeks flush, and for a moment, she doesn’t say anything. Then she smiles, small and hesitant. “You’re really bad at this whole romantic speech thing, you know that?”
I chuckle, the sound low and rough. “Good thing I’m not trying to be romantic.”