Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
He wanted more time with her. With Olivia. With Garrett. He wanted all the potential he felt the night before.
“Everyone okay?” Olivia asked as Gwen managed to get control and turn down the long road that led to the Barnes-Fleetwood Ranch.
Muffin barked. Perhaps that turn sent some adrenaline through her system.
Adrenaline pumped through his, too. He was way overstimulated, and it was all her fault.
“Hey,” Garrett said, “that dog likes you a lot.”
Yep, he was getting kisses. He needed to make sure they weren’t the only ones he got today.
He watched out the window while the dog tried to get into his food cave and vowed he would use this situation to his best advantage.
Chapter Six
Garrett set down his bag and looked around Olivia’s house. She told them she lived in what she described as a guest house on the ranch grounds. He expected something small.
Well, he supposed it was small compared to the ranch house, which was a two-story mansion.
But Olivia’s house was bigger than anything he’d ever lived in. The foreman’s house on the O’Malley Ranch was nice but small, with none of the softness he found in Olivia’s house. There were books on the shelves and a big comfy chair where she obviously sat and read. There were tea sets and bookshelves and paintings. It was feminine and lovely and warm.
He and Keane had been in the cold for so long.
“How long have you lived here?” Garrett asked. There was a tension since they’d been dropped off. The minute they were alone, Olivia got tense. They needed some small talk. Without a Chihuahua around.
“Just the last couple of months. Until then Josh and Grim lived here and I had a suite in the main house. But my parents bought the ranch next to ours as a wedding gift for them and Nicole. There was some irony in that purchase since it was owned by Grim’s biological family. They kicked him out. Now he owns it all.”
And that was satisfying for her. He liked how fiercely she seemed to love. “So your dad doesn’t merely cube cars. He likes to make sure karma hits hard.”
Her lips curled up in a smile. “Yes, he does. My dad is big on long-term revenge. He’s patient. Papa likes to throw punches. At least that’s the way Momma tells it. From what I understand my papa was different when he was younger.”
“I would bet he was just less mature.” Garrett looked over at Keane and then back to Olivia. “Your papa is a genuinely good man. I like Sam a lot. I’ve only met him a couple of times, but I enjoy his company. Your dad, on the other hand, can be intimidating.”
“Dad is a good man, too, but he’s got a lot of responsibility. You know my mom and papa are his subs, right?” Olivia asked as though waiting for judgment.
Garrett snapped his fingers. “Damn it. I owe Keane.”
Keane seemed to relax slightly. “Sorry. You can’t scare us away like that. I clocked Sam as a sub right off. Garrett thought he might be a switch.”
Olivia snorted. “No. My papa can be assertive in the outside world, but he relies on my dad everywhere else.”
Keane nodded as though he already knew. “I’ve only met your dad briefly, but I think he’s probably a good Master. He would be indulgent, and he’ll take his responsibility seriously. I would bet he’s overly protective as well.”
Olivia frowned. “You have no idea. Did I mention the cubes?”
“You did indeed.” Garrett moved closer. “We’ve been in the lifestyle for years now. We’re not going to judge you or your family.”
She stiffened, losing any relaxed state she had. “Well, I’m not worried about your judgment. I’ve lived with it all my life. It doesn’t affect me anymore.”
Oh, but it did.
He glanced over, and Keane’s energy matched hers.
It was hard to be the reasonable one.
Olivia moved around the couch, arm sweeping out toward the other side of the house. “The kitchen’s back there. Let me know what you like to keep on hand and I’ll get it. If you follow that hallway there are two bedrooms, though I use one as a home office.”
And his best friend was on the edge.
He knew that look in Keane’s eyes. It was the look that usually sent Garrett to his phone so he could make a reservation at Subversion.
Keane felt out of control, and he needed it so desperately.
“My bedroom is on the other side of the house.” Olivia seemed flustered, too. Like she had them here and now she wasn’t sure what to do with them.
He could tell her what she should do with them. It looked like the time for small talk was over. “We should discuss the arrangement.”
Keane looked up from his brooding. Or maybe he missed Muffin. Huh, maybe his friend needed a canine companion. “Arrangement? Are you talking about the rooms? I can still stay in the bunkhouse. I’ll tell the hands not to gossip.”