Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
“You ain’t fooling anyone, girl.”
“Well, maybe the only person I’m trying to fool is myself,” she told him. “You know what they say, put on a smile and you’ll feel happier.”
“Who the heck says that?” Silla asked as she cashed out her tab.
“Me. I say that.” She glanced down at the tomato soup and buttered toast that Sandy had placed on the bar for her. She practically licked her lips before spooning some up and swallowing it. “Ooh. Hot. Hot. Hot.”
She glanced around for a drink and a glass of water was suddenly placed in front of her. She took it and drank it down.
“Thanks, Mac,” she told him, guessing that he’d put it there.
But when she glanced up at her boss, he shook his head and his gaze went to the person she could feel standing next to her.
A person who smelled like chocolate and cinnamon and a scent that she didn’t know.
What were the odds that he’d be here?
Seriously. How was this her life?
Turning slowly, she glanced up into sad, beautiful eyes.
“Hayes! Hi!” she chirped.
He raised his eyebrows. Uh-oh. Was she not meant to use his name? Maybe he preferred Mr. Hayes. He hadn’t exactly introduced himself so maybe he didn’t realize she even knew his name.
Did he know that she’d been paying attention to him? Staring at him?
Yeah. That train had probably already left the station
Devi knew there wasn’t much that was subtle about her.
“Didn’t you think to test the temperature first before you ate that?” he rumbled.
“Um, I think the answer to that is obvious.”
“Next time, check,” he ordered.
Wow.
Talk about bossy. She gaped at him, unsure what to say to that command. While she was sitting there, imitating a statue, he turned and walked off to the end of the bar where he sat at the corner.
“Whoa, baby.” Silla moved closer, fanning herself. “Was that hot or what? I’m gonna have to go home and change my panties.”
Silla was a straight talker.
Mac groaned. “I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Silla just grinned.
Devi was with Silla. She wouldn’t say it, but she was definitely hot and bothered after that encounter.
“There’s just something about a fit, hot man telling me what to do that gets the juices flowing, you know what I mean?” Silla asked way too loudly.
Unfortunately, yes she did.
But no way she was agreeing with Silla out loud. And Devi really wished that she would tone her voice down.
“You obviously know him,” Mac said to Devi in a quieter voice. “I’ve not seen him around before. He a city boy?”
The town they lived in was pretty small, but it was about an hour’s drive from Denver. And there were a lot of people moving out here, drawn by the cheaper housing.
Devi shook her head. “I’m not sure where he’s from, but I don’t think he’s moved here. He’s been coming in with Sondra Stein each morning. He seems to be her bodyguard.”
“Why would Sondra Stein need a bodyguard?” Silla said in a really loud voice. Sometimes Devi worried that Silla’s hearing was damaged. But she didn’t know how to bring that up without insulting the other woman.
Devi didn’t really have any friends. Friends were something she couldn’t afford to have. Not with the life she led.
But Silla and Mac were the closest things to friends she had.
Devi winced. “Shh.” She glanced over at Hayes. He wasn’t looking at them, but she just had this feeling that he was listening.
Crap.
“I don’t know if I’m meant to know that,” she said. “And I’m not entirely sure what’s going on. Maybe she’s being threatened or something.”
Both Mac and Silla gaped at her.
“What’s the world coming to that a woman in this town needs a bodyguard?” Mac shook his head in disgust.
Well, this town wasn’t exactly Utopia. At least, not for her. But she refrained from saying that.
Darn it. Her mouth was still burning. She took another few sips of water.
“I better get home,” Silla said. “I’ve now got a date with Horny Henry. If you know what I mean.” She winked and headed out.
Nope. Devi had no idea what she was talking about. She turned to Mac. “Has she got a new boyfriend?”
Funny nickname to give him.
Mac let out a choked noise. “Nope. Not a new boyfriend. Silla just has no shame. And she says whatever is on her mind.”
Oh. Wait. Shit.
Was she talking about her vibrator? Had she called it Horny Henry?
Dear Lord.
“I need to get to work.” Devi could feel how hot her cheeks were. It wasn’t like she didn’t have her own vibrator. But she’d never named it. Or told anyone about it.
“Eat your soup,” Mac said gruffly. “It’s quiet in here.”
She nodded in relief. She hadn’t been sure how she would get through a whole shift without eating. She’d been starting to feel very light-headed.
Fucking Aaron.