Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
My dick twitches and she jerks. “You can’t be ready again.”
“My sexy as fuck girlfriend is in my arms naked, can’t blame me.”
She sucks her bottom lip between her teeth and swivels her hips. “I could say the same thing.”
“You saying you’re ready for more?”
She nods shyly and my blood rushes straight to my dick as I lower my mouth to hers.
“We’re just getting started.”
13
WILLOW
Don’t throw up, I repeat, swallowing the anxiety and nerves winding their way up my throat.
As if she senses my anguish, my phone flashes with a call from Bex.
“Hey.”
“If you wait ten minutes, I’ll be there.”
“You can’t leave work.”
“Abe said that if you needed anything today, I am free to help.”
“He probably meant if I needed anything medically.”
“He meant mentally, spiritually, medically—whatever.”
“I have to do this myself.”
“You can do it, but I’ll be your moral support.”
I smile, my nerves easing. “It’ll be okay. And if it’s not, then I’ll send an SOS and you can ply me with booze to help heal my broken heart.”
“Jesus with the theatrics. Talon has kept you locked away for two days and is completely crazy over you. This is not the end of your relationship.”
I gnaw on my lips, staring at the building in front of me.
Rendezvous.
One of the hottest salons in Nashville.
Frequented by local celebrities and stars.
The write-ups have gone viral and the wait to get a new client appointment is almost a year out.
Small business of the year…
And most importantly, owned by Rowan Ellis.
“Hello? Did you hear me?”
“Sorry, what?”
“I said that Talon had you in bed the last twenty-four hours and barely let you up for air. He’s not going anywhere.”
“He did let me up for air. You’re being ridiculous.”
“Taking you to the shower to have more sex, and cooking you dinner, where you had sex on the island. You are probably walking bow-legged.”
“I am not bow-legged!”
I shared way too much with Bex about my newfound sex life.
“Rowan is a huge part of him, and it’s important that we get off on the right foot. I didn’t exactly make a great first impression.”
“You were justified in your actions. Joseph Jackass left an impression.”
“But she doesn’t know that. She probably thinks I’m an overreactive lunatic.”
“You should wait until he’s off tomorrow and let him introduce you. Or, wait for me to get there.”
“I love you, but this is a solo job.”
“Call me the minute you can.” She sighs in defeat, then disconnects.
I tried not to ask many questions, but Jewls and Harley openly spoke about Rowan and Ford. It was obvious how badly I’d misjudged the situation with Talon.
One thing I learned about Jewls is her bluntness.
This is a tight-knit crew. These men have gone through hell and back and survived. But there’s something special with Talon and Rowan. She carries weight for him being hurt, even though it’s bullshit.
Talon’s protective over you. He’d never suggest this, so I will. Let her off the hook for whatever you overheard. She’s freaking out that she screwed things up between the two of you. The woman carries enough guilt for her lifetime.
It’s me who should feel guilty after the way I bolted like a maniac.
Ford and Rowan returned late last night after Talon and I went to my house.
Which is why I’m here today.
To apologize and introduce myself properly.
My phone dings with a text from an unknown number.
Would you like me to come outside?
My eyes dart to the salon and the blonde watching from the window.
Shit! No turning back now.
I exit my car and walk slowly, steadying my legs the closer I get to the door. My phone chimes again, this time with Talon’s number. As much as I want to answer, he will have to wait.
It may be my imagination, but the second I step inside, the chatter dies.
All the practice of my speech flies out of my mind, and I blurt out, “I’m sorry for Wednesday morning. It was a visceral reaction to a huge misinterpretation of the situation.”
Visceral reaction to a huge misinterpretation of the situation? What the hell?
Rowan says nothing, her big blue eyes brimming with kindness and understanding. She throws herself forward, engulfing me. “I am the one who is sorry. My feelings were hurt and it was immature for me to act out.”
“He means a lot to you,” I whisper in her ear. “He’s a genuine hero.”
She pulls back, her gaze wide in shock. “He told you?”
“He did.”
“Thank God. He never talks about what happened. I’m glad he opened up.”
“I am, too.” This is the absolute truth. Knowing more about him only heightens my feelings.
“You should know,” she steps away, “I know about you, too.”
It takes a second to sink in. “About Joseph?”
“If that’s his name, then yes.”
Hurt strikes hard. When did Talon tell her?
“Talon didn’t tell me.” She reads my mind. “I’m an expert at spotting the signs of betrayal from someone you trust.”