Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
“'Kay.” Colby’s a good soldier. He stuffs the phone back into my pocket, retrieves his juice, and we start toward Summer again. This time we’re interrupted by a phone call. Colby replaces the juice and answers the phone without even being told. Maybe I can allow him into my workshop. I’ll have to look up fire aprons in his size.
“It’s the Chief,” Colby says in a loud whisper.
“Yeah, I figured.” I look around for a place to set the tray down, but we’re at the stairs so all I can do is leave it on the step. I grab the phone from Colby and bark, “What?” into the speaker.
“Open the gate, Kale. I need to talk to you.”
“I’m busy.”
“Word is you have a woman in your house, but no one has seen her for days. I had a complaint from Colten Larsen that you were aggressive toward his girlfriend.”
“Well, that’s some bullshit, Chief.”
“Even so, I still got to check it out.”
“No. You don’t.” I hang up and turn to the tray.
“Are you getting arrested?” Colby asks.
“Nope.”
“Then how come the Chief’s here?”
“Because of size, Colby. Small towns. Small dicks. Both are insecure. Now let’s get these eggs to your sister.” I’m not letting the chief in here. Summer might say something about how I treated her and Colby, making sure all the lights were off, spying on them with my security cameras, sleeping with her even though I’m her employer. All of that shit sounds bad, and if he hears it, the Chief might feel it necessary to help Summer escape from me. I just got her and I’m not about to let her go. The Chief’s going to have to break the gate down before I let him step one foot on my property.
22
Summer
I stretch my body, feeling sweetly sore. I can still feel Kale all over me. I blink open my eyes, trying to adjust to the sunlight pouring in through the window. My heart lodges in my throat when I see the other side of the bed empty.
I sit up, holding the sheet to my body and looking around the room. There is no trace of him except for the ripped uniform on the floor. A reminder of how desperately he had wanted me.
I slip from the bed, heading toward the bathroom and flipping on the light. I drop the sheet, looking at myself in the mirror.
Kale was so sweet last night. Worried that he’d hurt me. I knew the moment that he slipped from the bed to get a warm washcloth to wipe between my legs that underneath all that jerk attitude there is a sweet man.
He’s a jerk to keep people at arm’s length. I had hoped we were past that last night, but him not being here this morning has me thinking we’re not. I brush my teeth and do my morning routine before I go to check on Colby.
When I see the time on the clock, I’m shocked. I’ve overslept which means Colby had to fend for himself. I hate not being there for him in the morning.
I hurry out of my room toward Colby’s but stop dead when I see Kale and Colby. Kale is holding a try with food on it. Colby is at his side smiling.
“I helped make it.”
“It’s supposed to be breakfast in bed,” Kale says, making me smile. My heart flutters. I turn around and race back to bed. I hurry to get situated before they enter a few moments later.
“Are you feeling okay?” Colby asks. “You never sleep this late.” Kale hides a smirk as I feel my face heat.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t get much sleep last night.” I run my fingers through his hair.
“Gonna check on Beast. You haven’t met him yet,” Colby says to Kale before running from the room. I can tell he’s really excited to show Kale. Seeing him this happy makes my heart happy. Kale sets the tray on the bed.
“Hi,” I say, suddenly feeling shy. He leans down, brushing his mouth against mine. “You came back.”
“Yeah.” I wrap my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. He growls against my mouth before he’s pulling back.
“You need rest and…” He glances to the door that is halfway open. “Colby.”
“I feel fine.” I am only a little sore. He looks over at the door again and I know he wants to do more. Yet I respect him for looking out for Colby.
“Eat your breakfast.” He moves the tray closer to me before sitting down on the bed.
“This is really sweet of you.” I pick up a piece of bacon, taking a bite.
“I’m sorry I didn’t eat your food.” His apology warms my heart.
“Is this your way of apologizing?” I take another bite. He shrugs. I think this is the first time I’ve seen Kale relaxed. I’d like to think it’s because he’s comfortable around me now. That I’m the only one that he shows his true self to.