Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57726 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Scythe pointed to an industrial vehicle parked across the field. “I noticed a new food truck had started showing up here last week. Let’s go try it.”
Winnie took two steps and remembered to unfasten her skirt so she could walk easier. With her clothing restored into place, she slid her hand into Scythe’s. They crossed the grassy area and stopped a short distance away to decide on a flavor. When they had their cones, Scythe led her to a bench where they sat to eat.
Licking happily on her ice cream cone, Winnie refused to think of anything other than the beautiful day, the delicious treat, and the handsome man next to her. “How’s the chocolate crunch? That was my second choice.”
“Try it.” Scythe held out his cone.
She eyed the decadent ball on the cone. It seemed intimate to taste it after him.
“I’m healthy and got tested after my old lady decided she was tired of MC life,” Scythe told her.
“Tested?” she echoed.
“For any communicable diseases, Chipmunk. That means I can’t give you anything.”
“Oh!” As she processed that statement, Winnie decided to live dangerously and mentally thumbed her nose at the germs. Yielding to temptation, she leaned forward to lick the stream of chocolate that dripped over the side. “Yum! That’s really good. I like mine too, but yours is better.”
Scythe plucked her cone from her hand and replaced her flavor with his.
“Wait! You don’t have to do that,” she protested.
“I wanted to try this one too.” He devoured a bite of her ice cream. “Ooo! That caramel is good.”
“I’m not sick either. I mean, I got tested after my last boyfriend for some weird reason…. I mean, he wasn’t really my boyfriend. Just the brother of a classmate that needed help with his essays.” Her voice trailed off, and she concentrated on her cone.
Winnie hated that she was awkward. She liked Scythe a lot. He’d soon figure out she was a hot mess and avoid her.
“Do you still miss him?”
She met his gaze in shock. “Heavens, no! He’s a total goofball. Frankie got a job in New Jersey, and I came here to teach. We weren’t involved involved, if you know what I mean.”
“He moved after college?”
“Yes. Then mom started getting sick. It took a while for them to figure out what was wrong,” Winnie said. She shook her head.
“I’m sorry, Chipmunk.”
“Why do you call me that?” she asked, swirling her tongue around the edge of the cone to catch the melting bits.
“Because you dived into me like a chipmunk into his den when your superintendent almost caught you.”
“I’m such a klutz,” she said, rolling her eyes at her stupidity.
“I will not allow you to talk badly about yourself, Little girl,” Scythe reprimanded her sternly. “The fact I’m calling you an adorable creature should clue you in that I quite enjoy having you make me your safe place.”
“Oh!” Winnie repeated his statement in her mind. He thought she was adorable, and it sounded like he liked having her around. Winnie sat straighter and met his gaze directly. Maybe she should check that she hadn’t misunderstood. “That’s a good thing, right?”
“It’s an extremely good thing, Winnie. Do you promise to tell me if you ever stop feeling safe with me?” Scythe asked.
“Are you a good guy? I mean, is your gang okay? They don’t hurt people?”
“First of all, the Devil Daddies is a MC. That stands for motorcycle club. We ride together. Think of it like a social club.”
“Oh, that’s fun. You like, go for ice cream?”
“I won’t ever lie to you, Chipmunk. We all stand together for what is right for the club. I can promise you we will never hurt you or yours. You’re under my protection now.”
“I don’t really need protection,” she pointed out. “I’m only a second-grade teacher. Nothing too exciting there.”
“Everyone needs someone in their corner—even beautiful teachers.”
Her cheeks heated, and Winnie knew she was blushing. “You don’t have to make up compliments. I don’t usually dress like I did last night. That was my stepsister’s. I couldn’t even get into Inferno the first couple of times.”
“You’ll have no trouble getting into Inferno now.”
“Because I’m with you?” she asked.
“Because you’re mine.”
Chapter 5
Now that sounded like something from a romance novel. She must have heard that wrong. “Yours?” Winnie repeated.
“Mine.”
A thrill went through her at his possessiveness. No one had ever claimed her before. Winnie stared at him, trying to figure out if he was punking her like others had in the past. She decided she should protest, so he didn’t laugh at her for believing him later. “Don’t I get any say in this?”
“Of course, as long as you say you belong to me.”
“Scythe. This isn’t funny.” She crossed her fingers on her free hand. Please let him be different from the other guys.
“Do I look like I’m making a joke?”