Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I held my breath, waiting for him to say something nice. Something complimentary. “Jasper,” I groaned.
“I need you, Mo. At least until they’re all professionally trained.”
Those first four words, beautiful and misleading all at once, hit me in an unexpected place. Longing shot through me, so strong and deep and visceral it was like a dropkick to the center of my chest, at his slightly anguished words.
I knew Jasper wasn’t saying he needed me. He was the boss, after all. Even if that was true on some planet, he wasn’t the kind of man to say words like that. No, he needed my skills as a waitress.
“Sadie thought they were capable enough to open up Lucky Lopez.”
“Yeah, I know,” he growled and ran a hand through his thick hair. “And I’m telling you they’re not. You’ve seen it for yourself.”
“Fine,” I sighed. “Then train them how you like or have Thomas do it. He probably needs something else to keep him busy between trips to the hospital. I can’t keep working this schedule, Jasper.”
Just as I said the words, a yawn split my jaw until it cracked, and I shook my head. “I’ll see you tomorrow at Midnight Mass.” It was well past time to get home and get to bed.
“Not good enough, Mo.”
Oh, he was fucking kidding me, wasn’t he? I whirled around to face him, no longer swayed by the way my heart beat just for him or the panty-melting scowl on his face. Now, I was pissed.
“I worked these shifts as a favor to you, Jasper. A fucking favor. If you want to fire me, then go right ahead because, newsflash, I don’t work here. Send me a text message to let me know because I’m outta here.”
“Hot date?”
The question came out with a derisive snort. His arms folded across his broad chest, a knowing expression on his face as if he knew me. Knew my life.
“Why do you care?”
He shrugged. “Who said I did?”
“Exactly. We both know you don’t, so stop with the questions. You get what you want and dismiss me like a fucking whore, so don’t start playing the role of a jealous boyfriend.”
I turned back toward the door and marched right through it, a head full of steam and heart full of anger ready to burst.
“Mo,” he called after me, but I did something I never did when it came to Jasper. I ignored him and kept walking. “Goddammit, Mo.”
“Not now, Jasper. I told you I’m tired.” And I couldn’t be responsible for whatever came out my mouth next. “Tomorrow. Midnight Mass. See you then.”
I felt the weight of his gaze on me as I pushed open the Lucky Lopez entrance harder than I needed to and walked across the parking lot, my heart slowly breaking as I slid into the waiting car.
Hulu spotted me in the rearview mirror. “Everything all right?”
I nodded, but Hulu’s kind gaze, so filled with concern, was my undoing. Tears fell down my cheeks, and I swiped at them angrily as if they were to blame for my current state of emotions.
It wasn’t the tears. Hell, it wasn’t even really Jasper. He was the same man he’d always been, the same man I had loved all these years.
Between his all-powerful king-of-the-world behavior and my hormones, my emotions were all over the place. I could barely see straight due to my confused state of mind, and I needed to get my shit together.
“I’m fine, Hulu. Thanks.”
“Wanna talk about it? I’ve been told I’m a good listener.”
His kind words put a smile on my face. “Thanks, but I absolutely do not want to talk about it.”
“I’m here if you do,” he offered and drove me home. Hulu stopped outside Emerald Isle and opened the back door for me.
“Don’t let Jasper get to you, Mo. He’s stressed as fuck right now.”
“I know.” But it wasn’t just now; it was always. Jasper was a powerful man who expected everyone to do what he asked of them, no questions asked.
For years I’d been his happy little soldier, so I knew the last thing he needed now, with Sadie hanging on for dear life and some unknown shooter out in the world, was me changing shit up.
“I’m fine. Just a little emotional, probably from all the hours I’ve been working lately.”
He didn’t believe me, but thankfully Hulu was a man’s man and knew how to take a hint. He shrugged his big shoulders and stuck close to me.
“Then let’s get you up to your suite so you can get some sleep. What do you have up there, Egyptian cotton? Ten million thread count?”
I let out my first real laugh of the day. “Ten million?”
He shrugged. “I’m not fancy. Spent years of my life in the desert sleeping in a tent.”
“Eight hundred. I’ll buy you some.”