Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“I don’t know about that.”
But they were. They had. He’d clicked with JB more than he had with anyone else ever. They…fit somehow. And he was still too mixed up over everything to put it into words she could understand. Hell, that he could understand.
He didn’t know what to say to the man’s mother. Didn’t know how to reassure her, because he didn’t know what he wanted either. He was still confused. Still surprised. And yeah, he was growing attached to JB in a way he didn’t understand.
But stay here?
Forever?
Could he give up his life in Cincinnati for a man he barely knew?
“I can tell I’ve got you thinking up a storm, so I’ll let it be for now. You think on this. Only you can know how you’re feeling in your heart and from what I saw outside, I can tell you’re feeling something strong. And so is my son. I don’t want him hurt.”
“I don’t want to hurt him. I can promise you that.”
And he meant it. But what he was feeling was too strong to cut off just yet. He probably should before either of them lost their heart, but he couldn’t. So, he had no promises to give JB’s mother. Nothing he could say to set her mind at ease.
She finished making the tea, and he took the mug from her with a thank-you. He wasn’t a big fan of tea, but he’d be polite and drink it for her. He took a sip and managed not to grimace, but she must have clued in, because she laughed.
“You don’t have to drink that for me. I’ll get a fresh pot of coffee going.”
“Don’t go to the trouble. I still have coffee at the guest house.”
“It’s no problem at all.” She moved to the sink and started filling a carafe as Jesse and JB walked into the kitchen. He met JB’s gaze, realizing Bel was right. JB did look at him like he already cared.
And he was looking at JB in the same way. How was it possible for this to happen so fast? Could it really be something as simple as their insane chemistry? He’d never felt anything like it.
But somehow, it was more. He stared at JB, who watched him right back and the heat in his gaze sent butterflies into Cole’s stomach.
He was in real trouble.
Chapter Twenty
JB needed to kiss Cole.
The moment Cole’s fingers threaded through his own, it had been like getting zapped with lightning. An extra coat of armor wrapped around him and he could take on the fucking world. Cole had his back.
But this wasn’t the first time. Cole had been right there almost from the second he’d stepped onto the ranch. He was always standing beside him, ready to jump straight into battle because that was the kind of guy Cole was.
This was more, though. He’d taken JB’s hand in front of other people, stood unflinching under their questioning and even censorious gaze. It was almost like he’d been staking a claim.
Was he reading more into this than there really was? Oh yeah, most definitely.
At the same time, part of him didn’t care. All he knew was that he needed to get Cole alone somewhere so he could kiss the shit out of the man before he exploded.
So, of course, he found Cole in the kitchen with his mother, looking incredibly uncomfortable.
He’d deal with that nest of hornets later. Right now, he could only think about Cole.
“Hey, Cole,” he called out as soon as he thought he could speak in an even tone. “Can you give me a hand with something at the guest house?”
The handsome man’s brow furrowed with worry and he quickly nodded. “Yeah. Sure.”
“JB, honey, you want some tea? Cole and I made some fresh,” his mother inquired and for a moment he couldn’t figure out why in the world she was talking about tea. Couldn’t she see that he needed to get this man off somewhere secret to kiss his brains out?
But judging by the wicked grin she flashed him, it was clear his mother could read his mind and was being evil.
“No, Ma. I’m good.” He grabbed Cole’s elbow and started pulling him toward the doors at the rear of the house. That exit put them a little closer to the guest house. Anything that was faster was better.
“But what about Dillinger? Did he say anything else?” she called out after him.
A groan threatened to choke him. Evil. His mother was evil. “What? No. Talk to Dad.”
He shoved Cole out the door, escaping any more questions from his mother, but he swore he heard that cruel woman laughing as he closed the door behind him. How could he have forgotten what an evil streak she had in her? Couldn’t she see how much he needed Cole?