Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Come here.” Brooks holds his hand out for mine, and without hesitating, I slide my hand into his, linking our fingers, and just like last night, it feels like coming home. “Let me give you a quick tour around here. The house isn’t huge. One story, four bedrooms, two bathrooms.”
He leads me back down the hallway, past the guest room and bath, and points out the other rooms.
“I use one room for a small home gym, and the other is my office. This at the end is the primary suite.”
He leads me inside, and I can’t help but smile. This is so Brooks. Decorated in browns and oranges, it’s masculine. And it smells like him.
Like leather and whiskey and a little motor oil.
His bathroom has recently been remodeled, just like the kitchen. The vanity and double sinks gleam, there’s a soaking tub in the corner, and the standing shower looks heavenly.
“I have to say, I have bathroom envy.”
He smirks, and without thinking about it, he brings my hand up to his lips and kisses my knuckles.
“The laundry is off the kitchen in a mudroom.”
“Nice.”
He leads me back out through the living room, where a brown leather couch and recliner sit in front of a massive television, and we walk right out the front door.
When I see what’s across the street, my jaw drops.
“Holy shit, Brooks. You live across from the big house.” I’m staring at my dream home, and it honestly brings tears to my eyes. “This is a good spot.”
“Yeah.” His own voice is rough. “It’s walkable, but you won’t have to do that. Come on.”
He leads me down the stairs of the porch and around to the garage, where my car is parked out front.
“How—”
“Gabe dropped it off for you this morning. I finished it up last night before I came to your place. The keys are in it.”
Oh man, the cost of these repairs on top of the cost of renovating my restaurant is going to kill me.
I have no choice but to use Justin’s money.
“Thank God, I can drive again. Thank you. How much do I owe you?”
“You don’t owe me anything, Wildfire.”
I turn and frown up at him. “It doesn’t cost you nothing to repair vehicles, Brooks Blackwell. I’m happy to pay you.”
“Have you checked your credit card? The idiot who shall not be named should have refunded all of your money.”
I blink up at him, then pull my phone out of my pocket and check the app.
Sure enough, more than six thousand dollars was credited last week.
“Holy shit.”
“You shouldn’t have been treated that way. You have your money back, and I don’t want a dime of it.”
“But—”
“Christ, you’d argue with a turnip.” He frames my face and bends down to slide his lips over mine, brushing gently back and forth and making my skin tingle as he effectively shuts me up. Fuck, he always was a grade A kisser. “Come on, you’re going back to bed.”
“I really should go home—”
“Your home smells like mildew, is likely to get mold, and you’re fucking exhausted, Jules. And while you’re always fucking gorgeous, you have bruises under your eyes. You need to get some more sleep.”
We walk back inside through the back door, and I catch sight of the laundry room before he leads me through to the kitchen.
“See? You’re not even arguing with me.”
“I am tired. But I have so much to do.” Tears fill my eyes, and I know it’s because of the exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed. “I can’t take the day off.”
“This is why you need to go back to bed.” He picks me up bridal style and walks right past the guest room and into his bedroom. “And I really love the thought of you in my bed, Wildfire.”
If we’re being honest, I love that thought too. But this feels like a slippery slope. I don’t want to get too used to it.
“I can use the guest room.”
“Are you uncomfortable in my room?”
I bite my lip as I think it over. “No.”
“Then you’ll sleep in here.” He sets me on my feet, then opens the covers for me. “Slide in there, pretty girl.”
I can’t help but smirk as I slip between the sheets, and he covers me up. My eyes are still so heavy.
“Why am I so tired?”
“You’ve had a lot going on,” he says, brushing his fingers through my hair. That only makes me sleepier, and before I know it, I’ve drifted off again.
Chapter Twelve
BROOKS
Iam damn tempted to climb into my bed with her, strip us both naked, and fuck her until neither of us can breathe.
But she’s exhausted, and I have shit to do.
I press my lips to her forehead and walk out of the bedroom. I called my brothers this morning, and they’re going to meet me at Sage & Citrus in fifteen minutes. I don’t even feel guilty when I find the keys to the restaurant in her purse and lock up behind me before walking out to my truck.