Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 33433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Fuck.
"Got a minute?" he asks.
"Yeah," I sigh, clocking the look in his eye.
Apparently, Hattie clocks it, too. She pats me on the chest like she's wishing me luck and then scurries off like she doesn't want to be anywhere near this conversation.
I'm not sure I want to be either, but I'm not a motherfucker who runs, especially not when it matters. This matters.
"What's up, man?" I ask Austin.
He jerks his chin toward the windows, so I follow him outside, both of us squinting against the sun glare on the snow. The wind whips hard enough to sting, but we both ignore it.
He doesn't waste time. As soon as the door closes behind us, he whirls to face me. "What are your intentions with my sister?"
Fuck me. This is actually happening. "You want the real answer or the one that'll keep you from punching me right now?" I ask, my tone frank.
His mouth twitches. "Try me."
I scrub a hand over my jaw. "I'm not looking for a fuck and run, if that's what you're worried about. I'm into her. Really into her." I can't fucking sleep because I'm so into her. But I leave that part out. She should hear it, not him.
He stares at me like he's trying to decide if I'm bullshitting him or not. "You know she's not an easy person, right?"
"You say that like it's a problem," I mutter, even though I know he doesn't believe that. He'd kill for his sister, the same way I would for mine. "There's nothing wrong with the way she is."
"You're right," he says. "But she hasn't exactly had an easy run. If you think we worked hard to get where we are, you're wrong. She worked three times harder, through five times as much shit. Guys see her and think she's going to be needy, or fragile, or some shit because of everything she's been through, but she's not. She'll make your life hell if you fuck it up."
"Wasn't planning on fucking it up." I level him with a look. "But I appreciate the warning."
"Good," he says, then grins. "Because if you do fuck up, I don't even have to kick your ass. She will. I'll just finish off whatever miserable pieces of you that she leaves behind."
I'm not insulted by the threat. I'd expect nothing less if our roles were reversed. Hell, I gave a similar speech to his brother over Hattie not too long ago.
"Sophie is safe with me," I murmur, meaning it. "The last thing I want to do is hurt her."
He studies me for a long second, then huffs out a breath. "She acts like she doesn't need anyone, but it's a lie. Her world is a vicious cesspool. She doesn't trust anyone because she can't. Not even her own goddamn partner."
I'd kill for two minutes alone with that little prick. I really would. I bet he'd think twice about dropping her again if I tossed his sorry ass across the stage a few times.
"I won't make it worse."
Austin regards me with a kind of grim amusement, like he knows what's coming and is only here for the pain. "I hope to fuck you're right, Harlan. She deserves someone willing to fight for her, even if it means fighting her."
"That's the plan."
He cocks his head to the side. "If you think you're going to put a ring on her finger and a kid in her belly, think again. She may let you put a ring on her, but don't be a selfish prick and ruin her career by getting her pregnant."
"Noted," I growl.
He grins, slapping me on the back. "Then I guess we're done here. Good luck."
I mutter a curse as he turns and jogs toward the vans waiting to take us to the slopes. Fucking hell. Pregnancy wasn't even on my mind, but he isn't wrong about it. Getting pregnant would ruin her career…and so would breaking her leg on the damn slopes.
"Goddammit."
I stomp back inside, shaking snow from my boots, and stride straight for her. The second she senses me, her jaw firms, but she doesn't look up.
I stop close enough that the scent of her coffee and her skin hits me at once. My dick reacts immediately, pressing up against my fly. "We need to talk."
"I haven't even had time to drink my coffee, Harlan," she complains. "Caffeine is a requirement if I have to deal with you."
"I'm calling off the bet."
That gets her attention. She sets her cup down, splashing coffee onto the bar. "Why?"
"I changed my mind," I say, even though every cell in my body is screaming at me to never back down from her. Every part of me wants to win that race, just so I get time alone with her. But I can't risk her getting hurt out there just because I'm desperate for five minutes of her time. Hell no.