Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Usually, I can keep myself busy—find something to do, maybe run a few miles—but the last two days I’ve been pacing my apartment like a caged animal, trying not to think about her.
Now I’m heading into a five-day rotation, and all I want is to see her. Share a meal. Steal a few more kisses. Hell, I’d really like another night like the last one, but I’ll settle for whatever I can get.
As if summoned by the thought, I spot her on Main Street. She charges forward like the hottest goddamn tornado this town’s ever seen. Heels clicking against the pavement, phone pressed to her ear, her free hand cutting through the air in sharp, impatient arcs. By the time she reaches the patio, it’s clear she’s in the middle of a battle.
“Yes, I know, Mother,” she snaps. “But maybe if you supported your daughter instead of trying to manage her, she’d actually want to talk to you.”
That protective fire in her voice sends a surge of pride through my chest. She always comes out swinging when it matters, and I admire the hell out of her for it.
Her gaze flicks to mine, eyes rolling at whatever her mom says next.
My mouth curves at the acknowledgement.
“Look, I can’t do this right now, Mom. I have a meeting. I’ll call you later.”
She ends the call with a sharp click and tosses the phone into her bag. The second her eyes find mine, the fight drains from her shoulders, her mouth softening into a curve. For a moment, the world narrows to just us.
“Hey,” she breathes.
“Hey, Goldilocks.”
She leans down for a kiss, and I don’t hold back. My arm slides around her waist, the other curling behind her neck as I tug her into my lap.
She laughs against my mouth, sliding her arms around my neck as I kiss her like a man starved—because that’s exactly what I am.
It’s deep, slow, and unapologetic. I don’t give a damn who’s watching. I want the whole town to know she’s mine.
By the time I pull back, her eyes are dazed, cheeks flushed, and lips swollen.
“God, you have no idea how much I needed that,” she murmurs, resting her forehead against mine.
My hand slides to her cheek, thumb stroking her skin. “Tough morning?”
She scoffs, the sound tired. “Try tough two days.”
I’m about to press further when the door swings open and Judy walks out—owner, waitress, and self-appointed mother hen of this place. She carries two ice waters and a notepad she never actually writes on.
“Well, well, well…look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” she teases, aiming a smile at Harlow. “You two lovebirds need a room, or should I just bring out a blanket and call it a day?”
Harlow pushes off my lap with a laugh and settles into the chair across from me. “Hey, Judy. How’ve you been?”
“I’m good, honey. Surprised you haven’t run off with this one yet,” she says, jutting her thumb in my direction.
Harlow turns that sexy smile on me. “Well, you know. Gotta keep him on his toes.”
She does a hell of a lot more than that—my constant hard-on is proof.
Judy chuckles, scribbling something onto her pad. “All right, what can I get you two?”
I tip my chin toward Harlow, gesturing for her to be first.
“Antipasto salad and a ginger ale,” she says easily, not bothering with the menu.
Judy’s gaze slides my way.
“Meat lovers, extra crispy.”
“Got it.” She collects the menus then walks away, muttering something about young love and hormones.
Once she disappears inside, Harlow eases back into her chair and tips her face to the sun. Warm light spills over her, gilding her skin, and for a moment it steals the air from my lungs. That’s when I see it—the faint glint at her throat. A silver chain, delicate against her skin, the glass orb I gave her catching the light just above the curve of her breasts.
“Nice necklace.” The comment is meant to be easy, but the words slip out rougher than I intend.
She glances down like she’d forgotten it was there, fingers brushing the charm. “Thanks. This really hot firefighter gave it to me.”
My mouth kicks up with arrogance. “He sounds like a keeper.”
I expect her usual smartass comeback, because that’s what she always does when things get too real, but she surprises me.
“I think he is…”
The softness behind those words, the way she looks at me as she says them…makes me want to haul her into my truck and have my way with her. Somehow, I manage to keep my ass in this chair.
“How’s Hattie?” I ask, shifting gears before I do something stupid.
“She’s…okay. Not crying every five seconds, so that’s progress.” She shrugs. “She’s been calling lawyers, looking for places to rent, dodging calls from my mom and Finch. Hence the phone call.”