Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“I packed three weeks’ worth of meetings and flights into two weeks,” he informs me and sits on the couch, setting me in his lap. “I worked pretty much nonstop so I could come home sooner. I missed Jake, the ranch, and you.”
“Did you piss everyone off by doing that?”
“I don’t give a shit if I did,” he says, dragging his fingertips down my jawline. “They work for me, not the other way around, and I made it clear to Arthur that he’s not to schedule me out of town for more than three days at a time from now on. That’s all I’ll do.”
I blink at him, surprised. “Wow. Well, I know Jake will appreciate that. The kid really missed you.”
“I know. I’ve already been home, and he told me every single thing that happened since I left. It was a long conversation.” He grins and leans in to kiss my forehead. “I’ll want to hear the same from you, you know.”
“Likewise. Do you feel how nice and cool it is in here?”
He kisses my forehead again, and I melt inside. “It’s much better. Were you very mad at me?”
“Not mad. Confused, and maybe a little guilty, but not mad. Thank you for it. Did you buy Argentina?”
“Not this time.” He smiles at me. “Can I still join you at this party tonight?”
“Are you kidding? Looking the way you do, you’d better want to go with me. You’ll be my arm candy.”
“It’s a tough job,” he says with a mournful sigh. “But someone has to do it.”
“Were you really jealous when I opened the door?”
“I thought I was going to have to kill someone named Zach and call my brothers to help me dispose of the body.” His lips firm as his eyes drop to my mouth. “Just because I’m gone for two weeks doesn’t mean you get to move on to the next guy.”
“You’re all I think about.” My words are soft, but I see they pack a punch when his eyes flare. “Just you, Ryan. I’m so glad you’re home. I really missed you. Now, let’s go to the party so I can show you off. You look damn hot in that coat. Is it Gucci?”
“How did you know?”
“Fashion is my job. Of course, I know.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
RYAN
“I’m so excited that this is the first official event at Wild River Ranch Event Center,” Polly says, practically bouncing in her seat next to me. My eyes just about bugged out of my head at the sight of her in that little white dress, and I almost pushed her into the house and up against the wall before I heard her say another man’s fucking name. Then, all I thought of was homicide. The thought of anyone else putting their hands on this woman is completely unacceptable.
I reach over and rest my hand on her thigh—out of principle.
“It’s going to be amazing.” She takes my hand in hers and laces our fingers together.
I didn’t realize that this was the first event at the family ranch. I knew that the facility was almost finished and that Rem and Erin had done a fantastic job with it. I saw it a couple of months ago, and it already looked great.
As I drive around the corner, the venue comes into view, and pride immediately fills me. What used to be a collapsed, dilapidated barn from a hundred years ago that my siblings and I all played around when we were kids, despite being warned away from it, is now a beautiful, rustic building that seems to blend in with the mountains behind it. It’s painted white with black trim, with a long cement walkway leading to the huge sliding door entrance from the parking lot.
“Look at that red carpet,” Polly breathes.
Sure enough, there’s a red carpet set up on the walkway with a background for photos with the Iconic Women’s Collective logo all over it. There’s a massive flower arch above the doors. Couples are already gathered, chatting and taking photos, as they make their way inside the building.
“It looks amazing.” I park the sexy little Aston Martin that I pulled out of the garage for tonight’s event and grin at Polly. “Not as amazing as my sexy-as-fuck date, but it’s definitely pretty out here.”
“We wanted everyone who comes tonight to feel important.”
“I’d say you hit the mark, and we haven’t even gone inside yet.”
She beams over at me, leans in to kiss me hard and fast, and then reaches for the door handle.
“Whoa, I’ll get that.” I climb out of the car and walk around to the passenger side, buttoning my jacket as I go. After opening the door, I take Polly’s hand and help her to her feet, tuck that hand in my elbow, and escort her down the walkway.
“You’re here,” Summer calls out with a smile. “Get over here so we can get a founders’ photo.”