Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 110278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
I climb into my own truck and follow her back to where my morning started. Maybe this time I can explain to her how she needs a stronger lock, to turn her shit off, and to be more aware of her surroundings when she comes and goes. I’ll also be getting the other letters that I saw on her kitchen counter this morning.
FOUR
TAYLOR
The whole way to my place, my eyes were either on the road or looking in the review mirror to see Slade, not that I could actually see him. His truck windows are so dark that even when I was straining to see him, I couldn’t.
By the time we make it into my complex, dusk is setting, and the streetlights are starting to come on. I pull into my designated spot and Slade parks beside me, not even caring that it’s assigned to my neighbor. My eyes are glued to the way he climbs out of his monstrosity of a vehicle.
“That man is too hot for words. The kicker is he probably knows it,” I mumble to myself as I climb out of my car, grabbing my bag. By the time I go to shut my door, Slade is at my side. His hand slides to my lower back.
“Come on, Trouble. Let’s see what all you need to pack and how much of a pack mule I’ll be.”
“Be still my heart. Did you make a joke?” I stop in my tracks. The hand not holding my bag is over my heart, in utter shock.
“Trouble, that’s you. The best kind of trouble there is, though.” I’m caught in his gaze.
“I highly doubt that.” We continue to my place, and Slade takes my keys out of my hand when we arrive at my door.
“Stay right by the door. Let me clear it before you go inside.” Slade unlocks my door with ease. It has me wondering just how many doors he unlocks for clients.
“Sure.” I visibly swallow, trying not to get my hackles up about the possibilities of him helping other women. I’m not sure where this ridiculous idea came from. It’s not like we’re dating; this is his job.
Slade takes his gun out of his side holster, and I watch the way his forearms flex as he holds it out before allowing the door to open. He takes one last look at me and then heads inside. I’m left standing in the breezeway, my thoughts a jumbled mess. Bridger wasn’t wrong. I knew they all set up shop here in Virginia. I could have stopped by anytime, but part of me thought it would be weird for not only them, but for me, too. I was always Travis’s little sister, the one who sent care packages. I had no problem cutting up when we were on Skype calls, until Slade appeared. One time, I even saw him shirtless, his muscles on full display. The way his muscles flexed as he walked, I took in the scar that was a jagged edge on the right side of his oblique. As soon as Slade saw me look at it with worry on my face, he moved to hide it.
“It’s clear, I’d like to get in and out as fast as we can, though.” he demands.
“That’s fine. I’ll pack enough for a week, and if need be, I can stop by after work and pick up more.”
“As long as you have either me or one of the guys with you, that’ll be fine.” He watches my every move as I walk toward the kitchen. My eyes narrow on the pile of mail, not even wanting to touch the stack.
“Do you want me to go through this, or would you rather handle it?” I point to the small stack.
“I’ll handle it.” He pulls latex gloves and a bag out of his pocket, taking care of it.
“Well then, I’ll be back in a flash.” I walk away, mentally categorizing what I will and won’t need for at least the next week. Obviously, clothes for this week, on the more casual side, work clothes, gym clothes, a few books, toiletries, and my laptop. “That should do,” I mumble out loud as I grab my suitcase out of my walk-in closet. The one thing that sold me on this condo was this closet. It was the biggest I could find within my budget, so I lost out on a modern amenity like a dishwasher, but it was worth it in the end. Especially considering I only ever cook for myself.
I place all of my clothes in my suitcase, leaving it open as I go into my bathroom to grab the necessities, trying to be as quick as possible. My hands are full when I come back out, and there standing in the doorway, looking larger than life, is Slade. And where are his eyes locked? My bag with my bra, panties, and nightgowns laying on top. The unhealthy obsession I have with undergarments is really kicking me in the ass today.