Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
Apparently, Ryder agreed with the philosophy, because he groaned and scrubbed an inked palm over his face. “Fuck me. Sounds so good, Dakota.”
I had to hold back the whimper that threatened to escape.
Why did it always have to come out like sex on his lips?
“It seems like you want me to feed you.”
So maybe I was going to keep some of those fantasies, and I couldn’t help but play off what Beth had said, loving the way those eyes were taking me in like he didn’t want to look anywhere else.
He let go of a rough chuckle. “Thinking that’s exactly what I want.”
Tingles spread, prickles that kissed along my flesh.
Sometimes he made me think…
A menu suddenly slapped down on the table, and I jerked to find Ezra grinning my way. “Hell, yeah, give me one of those, too. I’m not about to pass that up.”
“No reason to change a good thing,” Caleb agreed.
I gathered their menus then dipped my head. “All right then, three Monte Cristos are on their way.”
“Thanks, Dakota.”
“Always,” I said as I turned to head back to the kitchen to put in their order.
I wasn’t exactly sure what it was, but there was something that tripped me up.
Stalled me out.
Something I caught out of the corner of my eye at the very edge of the windows that ran the far side of the building.
A shadow or a shape or a figure.
Disquiet washed through me.
This penetrating awareness that covered me in a sticky film of dread and sent a cold shiver curling down my spine.
One blink later, it was gone.
I blinked more, uncertainty filling me as I stared out the window overlooking a grassy area backed by trees.
Nothing was there.
I shook myself out of it, realizing I had to have been seeing things, making it up, and I wound back through the tables, pushing through the kitchen door to the bustle of activity on the other side.
Paisley was right—I was really letting those true crime podcasts get the best of me.
SIX
RYDER
I couldn’t help but watch Dakota walk across the dining room, the way she weaved between the tables, offering smiles to the customers she recognized as she went.
Red fabric flowed around her hips and swished around her lush thighs, the woman this force that was hard to look away from.
But I hadn’t missed the shift in the air. The way she’d stumbled and froze a beat.
But when I’d looked behind me, I couldn’t find anything amiss.
I shouldn’t worry so much, but I guessed I’d spent so much time in that role, thinking I needed to watch over her, that it came as second nature.
She was more than grown, though. She was strong and fierce and successful, and I needed to remember she could do a whole hell of a lot better without me.
“So, how’s it going?” Caleb’s voice jerked me out of the trance, and I returned my attention to the table as I took a swig of my iced tea. Swore to God, my mouth nearly exploded with the taste, chunks of fresh strawberries coming up through the straw, the perfect blend of sweet and sour.
Thought that it was the perfect analogy of Dakota. The woman who was all shy blushes then could turn around and knock you flat with the teasing glint in those cinnamon eyes.
“Good,” I told him. “Things are going great at work.”
It was true.
I’d gotten a ton of legitimate contracts recently. Custom pieces I was proud to create.
A burning need had lit inside me to turn all my focus to that.
To end this sentence.
This penalty.
My mind spinning with possibilities on how to break the bonds.
But I knew what it would take.
It would be the fight of my life.
That I’d be putting it all on the line.
Risking everything.
Likely signing my own death certificate.
But I couldn’t go on this way.
Ezra shifted in the booth next to me, the cushion creaking with his large frame. “Nice to hear you’ve been busy, brother.”
“Yeah.”
“Good thing. Keeps you out of trouble.” He arched his brow as he took a sip of his tea.
If he only knew.
Having a cousin as a sheriff and living the life I’d lived wasn’t exactly easy. I always felt like scum, lying to him the way I did.
Hiding.
Pretending.
For years, I’d believed I didn’t have another choice, and the only thing I could do was keep him in the dark.
So, I played this role the best that I could.
I was so fucking ready to stop faking.
I jutted my chin at Caleb to get the attention off me. “How about you?”
Caleb grinned, fucker so happy now that Paisley had come into his life that he was a different man. Dude had waltzed around looking like a rich prick for years, wearing suits and a chip on his shoulder.
Now he had on a Henley and a pair of jeans, the edge he’d always worn erased by the woman who’d changed everything.