Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
"I bet this town would help you cover for the others."
"Yes."
"You broke into my room."
"This is Betty's room."
"That's not how that works."
"You don't own it." I'm grasping at straws here.
"A hotel room is considered a temporary residence, affording you the same protections as one. That includes the rights against unreasonable searches and seizures." Would he really push to press charges on me? Would Sheriff Hudson arrest me?
“Don’t try to scare me with your law degree.” There, I told him. He has a lot of nerve trying to use all of that legal mumbo jumbo on me.
"I wasn't trying to scare you. I was simply making a point." I narrow my eyes on him. I hate that I have to drop my head so far back to stare up at him.
“I’m getting your point real freaking clear. There is only one reason you’d be here.”
“And why do you think I’m here?”
I roll my eyes at him. “This is a small town. I’ve already heard about your plans.” Why play these games? He’s here on Biff’s behalf to see about building a resort.
“Please enlighten me, and I won’t report you for breaking and entering.”
“I didn’t break anything.” I hold up two fingers and pinch them close together. “But I’m this close.” My threat only makes the smirk grow to a full smile.
"You want to put your hands on me, spitfire?"
"No." Yes, I totally do, but I’ll never admit it. Instead I step back from being far too close to him for my own good. His rich, woodsy smell is more alluring than it should be. Why does City Boy smell like wood?
"You sure about that?"
"Not in the way you're implying."
"I wasn't implying anything." Why am I having this battle of words with him? And why do my eyes keep dropping to his mouth?
"Fire! Everyone out." I hear Katherine shout from outside the door.
"I need to go."
"I don't want you to go." His tone drops. "I don't think you want to go either." Is he flirting with me? A flutter lights in my chest.
"Fire! Can no one hear in there?" Katherine pounds on the door. “We have to evacuate.”
"I don't know what game you're playing, but I want nothing to do with you. You're here on Biff's behalf to build a stupid commercial resort and try to tarnish our home." His brows rise like my comment surprises him. "Now move." I snap at him this time. Any playfulness I had is gone.
I'm more annoyed with myself than anything. My attraction to this man is bullshit. A wave of emotions pushes down on me. The first man I have a real attraction to has come to try and ruin what I love most. New Hope is my life, my whole world.
"Tinsley—"
"Please move." My voice cracks, and he lets me push past him. I yank open the door to a wide-eyed Katherine, panic written all over her face.
"Oh noes," she says dramatically. "Are you sleepwalking again?"
"The jig is up," I tell her. "Let's go." I tug her with me, fighting the urge to peek back over my shoulder at Pierce. Pretty sure he knew I was under that bed the whole time.
I need a new plan. What that plan is I haven't a clue, but I've never let that or anything stop me before. One way or another, I'll bring Pierce to his knees.
Chapter Eight
PIERCE
Sleep has never been hard for me. I don’t need much of it, and I’m quick to fall asleep and fast to rise. Last night, however, I slept like shit. All my thoughts were on Tinsley and what she said. I’d told Biff to back the fuck off, but he didn’t listen. He’s an entitled prick that has his tiny brain set on revenge.
It was late when I got my computer out to dig into what Tinsley was talking about. I managed to send off a few emails, and I might have spammed that little shit.
I give up on sleep. Sitting up, I throw my legs over the side of the bed, running my hand down my face. I might be pissed the fuck off right now, but I can't help but smile thinking about Tinsley and her hiding under the bed. Fuck, she's adorable. That mischievous side of her turns me on.
I didn't know adorable, cute, and sexy as hell could be wrapped into one tiny package, but here we are. I stand and stretch before I take a quick shower. When I'm done, I grab my laptop and phone, setting them on the table to check my emails.
I'm hoping to see one from Mayor Hollis. He was my way into getting a room here last night through another connection. Hollis and I have crossed paths a few times, but we've never held more than a few conversations. If anyone knows about what Tinsley was talking about, it would be him.