Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
“Hey,” I say.
She turns around, seeming to fight a smile before giving in to it. Oh, hell. Is she feeling this too? If she feels even one-quarter of what I do, I’m a lucky guy. Because I am falling so damn hard for the woman I swore to protect. So hard that my stupid heart tumbles over itself as she says, “Oh, hi.”
Emotions climb up my chest, but for several seconds, I don’t know what to say. Fear holds me back. What if I can’t protect her for the next few days? What if these risky feelings distract me on the job at a critical time? What if I fail her somehow?
On the other hand, what if I don’t say a word?
Immediately, I know I can’t walk away from her. I can’t walk away from the possibility of us. The way I feel isn’t wrong. It has to be right. I’m not my father. I’m not doing the same thing he did—not even close. I’m measured and calculating, and I have a plan—tell the woman I’m obsessed with how I feel, then tell my business partner.
Emboldened by my private pep talk, I say, “Ripley. That Webflix meeting is this Friday.”
“That’s great. I’m happy for you,” she says.
“Me too, but that’s not why I’m mentioning it.” My pulse surges with more excitement than nerves. With anticipation of all the good things. “The movie ends after the weekend.”
Nerves flicker across her eyes. “I know.”
I step closer, look around, making sure it’s only us as the sun dips lower in the sky, pink and purple streaks pulling toward the horizon. The lights on the hedges give this place a romantic glow. But it’s not only us here. It’s her dog too. He trots toward us from one of the coiled hedges, a ball in his mouth. “I want to keep seeing you when it wraps.”
Her smile spreads so fast it makes my heart soar. “Yeah?”
“I do. I want us to try this,” I say as Hudson drops the ball at our feet. “Out in public. For real. You and me. However we can make it work. Do you?”
She answers by stepping closer, cupping my cheek, quirking up the corner of her lips. “I suppose you’re my type.”
Of course. Of course she’d respond like that. So I give it right back to her. “I knew it.”
She loops her arms around my neck. “Can rule number five be you kiss me right now?”
“Yes.”
I comply, and for once in my life I don’t mind feeling a little out of control. When we break the kiss, I pick up the ball and toss it back into the maze for Hudson to chase.
40
TEMPTING AND DISTRACTING
RIPLEY
The next night, I go to Bridget’s house to get ready. Haven’s with Tabitha and the publicist doing an interview, and since my house is packed with the crew, I head to my friend’s place a couple miles away.
Bridget’s bungalow has a bright-red door, matching her usual red lipstick. As I knock, Banks gestures to an Adirondack chair on the deck.
“I’ll wait here.” He’s carrying his tablet with a couple of sheets of paper sticking out of the case.
“You can come inside,” I say as Bridget swings open the door.
“Nah. I like it here,” he says.
“You’re not a dog,” Bridget says to him.
“Hey, I’d never leave my dog on the porch,” I protest.
“That’s true. You let Hudson sleep in the bed,” Banks deadpans as he takes the seat.
“Where else would a dog sleep?” Chloe calls from inside.
“Fair point.”
I follow my friends inside, and the second the door snicks shut, Chloe grabs my wrist. “So is this like a date for you and him?”
I scoff. “It’s a girls’ night out. He’s just my bodyguard for the evening.”
But not for much longer.
Bridget snorts, flicking her chestnut waves. “You can drop the act with us. We know he’s not just anything.”
My insides swirl with a giddiness I may never get over. I don’t ever want to. “As a matter of fact, we’re going to see each other when the job ends.”
Chloe holds out a hand toward Bridget, rubbing her thumb against two fingers, the sign for pay up.
Bridget does the same to her. “You pay up.”
“No, you,” Chloe insists.
“You bet on this?” I ask.
“Yes. But we both bet you would get together with him, so we had to bet when you’d tell us. I predicted now,” Bridget says.
“I picked tonight,” Chloe says with a frown.
“Wow. Glad I’m so predictable,” I say as we head to Bridget’s bedroom. “But I do need to tell Haven.” I haven’t yet. She’s been busy every day with the shoot and the publicity.
I guess I also haven’t said anything because I feel the need to protect Banks. What if Haven accidentally lets it slip in front of Wanda or the other security team members? I don’t want to get my guy in trouble. Telling Chloe and Bridget is different. They don’t work with Banks’s co-workers or employees.