Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Pat let out a little laugh. “I know what you mean.”
They finished their coffee, and Ava recalled what she had missed, so she rushed back into the kitchen to pour them both a large mug of coffee. She remembered how Pat liked his, and got it done exactly like that, or as good as could be expected with instant coffee out of a jar. Unlike Lauren, she didn’t have a special blend or brew that would make this better.
Returning to the table, Ava felt this buzz. Pat reached out and took her hand, and it seemed to make the moment complete.
“You’re my girl. Ava, you know that, right?”
“I do, and that makes you mine?” she asked.
“Yes. I don’t belong to anyone else. I’m all yours.”
She smiled.
“I know this is going to sound like a strange request, but ... would you put my jacket on?” Pat asked.
Ava frowned. “If you want me to, I will, but it’s your jacket.”
“I know, but I also want to see what you look like in it.”
She was not going to argue with him. Letting go of his hand, she went to his jacket and was careful as she put it on.
“There, how does it look?” she asked, putting her arms inside.
She had expected it to be tight, but Pat was bigger than her. His shoulders were much wider.
“Will you give me a twirl?” he asked.
For him, she would do anything. She wondered when he was going to realize that. Giving him a little twirl, she turned to face him.
Pat got to his feet and came toward her. He gripped the lapel of the jacket, and he was so close, his breath fanned her face.
“One day, you’re going to wear the cut that declares you as mine. You’ll belong to me, and the club will take care of you as well.”
She felt like it was a declaration.
“Do you want me to wear this today?” she asked.
“No, not yet. You can’t, not yet.”
She didn’t ask why, but she had a feeling it was to do with the shoot-out, as well as the burning of the animal shelter.
He kissed her, and it made her toes curl for all the right reasons. “All I want to do is stay here, but I’ve got to get some errands done. I’m taking you to your mom’s fabric shop, and then I’ll be back to take you to work.”
“Okay.”
She removed his leather cut, grabbed her sweater, picked up Bernice, and followed him out to the elevator. She locked her door, paying close attention that every single lock was bolted into place.
Ava noticed he was tense as they left the building, and she didn’t say anything. Once inside his car, he pulled out and reached for her hand, holding it as he drove her to the fabric store.
It was official. She was one hundred percent in love with this man, and there was no one else she wanted to be with.
From the moment she had met Pat, served him coffee and cake, she had been infatuated with him. As she was getting to know him, the more she liked him, and she didn’t want to stop.
She also knew declaring her love was a dangerous thing to do. Pat was part of a club, not exactly known for long-term relationships. At least, not in the past. Bull and Grant were defying those odds.
Pat pulled into the fabric store parking lot and kissed her before allowing her to leave. He didn’t leave until she had stepped inside the fabric store.
It still wasn’t opening time yet, and her mother and sister were getting the store ready. The door had been open, and she leaned against it.
“Okay, that looks scary,” Violet said.
“I love him,” Ava said.
She looked at her sister, and then toward her mother.
“Are you angry?”
“No, I know that feeling. I had it after the first date with your father, and it was a feeling that never went away.”
“His dad’s awesome,” Violet said.
“Yes, I have heard all about Doc. He is a good man. A nice man,” Hazel said.
“You knew him?” Violet asked.
“Yes, of course. There was a time he was always around town with his wife.” Hazel looked between them. “They were the couple everyone aspired to be part of.” Hazel sighed. “So sad to hear about her passing. Doc ... after her funeral, I rarely saw him. I still do from time to time, at the grocery store, but he doesn’t talk to anyone, and he always looks so sad.”
“Yeah, he is,” Violet said.
The phone rang, and that distracted Hazel. Ava took Bernice through the store, and without a word, she watched as her dog grabbed her favorite toy and got settled into her bed. Ava crouched down and placed the blanket over her. Pat must have taken her for a run or something this morning.