Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
"I better not regret this," I mutter to Cormac.
"You won't."
I snort, not so sure I believe him. He's been saying the same thing since we were kids…usually right before he got me into ten kids of shit with my parents. Honestly, I'm surprised we survived half the dumb stuff we did back then.
"Good luck, fucker."
"Later." I stab the disconnect button and shove my phone back into my pocket. After another quick look at the shop, I haul my ass out of the truck to go introduce myself to Hope Byrne. The front door doesn't alarm or set off a bell when I open it. I make a note to fix that post haste. She needs to know when someone is entering the shop, especially if she's in danger.
I stop just inside the door, looking around.
"Jesus," I mutter. Mandalas and calming, happy colors hang everywhere alongside crystals and windchimes and shit I don't even have names for. Dried flowers and plants line shelves in jars, each labeled with their name and uses. It's all innocuous shit, things that make people feel as if they're taking charge of their lives, their health, and manifesting their own destinies. I'm sure there are plenty who don't see it that way though.
I wander through the shop for a full two minutes without seeing anyone.
What the fuck?
"Hello?" When no one answers, I circle around the counter, poking my head into the back. "Hello? Miss Byrne?" I call, and then wait for an answer. Twenty seconds later, one still hasn't come. I place my hand on the gun at the small of my back and slip down the short hallway leading into the back of the shop.
Pallets and boxes of water are stacked everywhere. A ceiling-high row of shelves on one wall holds more supplies, each arranged into various bins and buckets. The east wall contains what looks like a mixing station of some sort. Dried plants and flowers and little jars sit on a table beside measuring spoons and a chemist set. Everything is neat and tidy, making it clear Hope puts a lot of effort into running this place.
The middle of the room houses a giant packing station. Boxes and packing supplies are neatly arranged on top of folding card tables with a small tablet set up in the middle.
"Oh my gosh!" a woman cries from behind me.
I turn toward the sound of her voice and my cock stands up straight.
Hope Byrne is a curvy goddess. And she's not wearing anything but a pair of sheer blue panties.
Chapter Two
Hope
I stare in shock at the sexy giant standing in the middle of my stockroom, staring at me like he wants to gobble me up. For a full five-count, neither of us moves. We just look at each other. His eyes climb up and down my body, lingering on my full breasts. They rake like fire down the swell of my belly, over my wide hips, and across the hot flesh between my legs. Even though I'm wearing panties, they don't exactly hide much.
He likes what he sees. His green eyes—the palest emerald I've ever seen—darken with desire. His tongue touches his full bottom lip. I shiver beneath the weight of his wanton gaze, turned on even though part of my mind recognizes this isn't at all how I should be reacting to a complete stranger seeing me mostly naked. Not even one who looks like this man.
Judging by the length of his hair, he isn't currently in the military, but I think he used to be. He's got that look to him—hard stare, rigid stance, built for war. The man's a ride as my granny would have bluntly stated.
Until he opens his mouth anyway.
"Where the fuck are your clothes?"
His rough growl finally breaks through the fog of lust addling my brain. My heart slams against my ribcage, jarring me into action. He broke into my store. He's in my stockroom where he has no business being. And I'm practically naked.
I shouldn't be standing here gaping. I need to protect myself.
"Get out!" I shout, grabbing the nearest thing in reach—a bottle of water—and launching it at him.
He snatches it out of the air like a freaking ninja, so I grab another one.
"Throw it and I'll spank your gorgeous ass," he warns me, his eyes narrowed.
I lower my arm, backing away from him. "If you came to hurt me, you'll live long enough to regret it." I inch toward the back door. Kieve is in the little courtyard out back, enjoying the morning sun. "I'm not alone."
"Liar. I just walked all through the store. You're the only one here."
"You sure about that?"
A flicker of hesitation crosses his face before he quickly schools his expression. "Why the fuck are you naked in the back of your shop with the front door unlocked, Hope?"