Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
“There’s a spare T-shirt in my suitcase,” Mr. Stone said. “I’ll go get it out of the car.”
She watched as he stood and walked out. He was broad across the shoulders, and his biceps were so thick that she wasn’t even sure she’d be able to get both hands around them.
Cate never thought she’d be attracted to the rough and rugged type. A man with a beard had never been on her radar.
But perhaps it was time to start reading some mountain man romance.
She wondered what it would feel like to have Mr. Stone’s arms around her. A strange thought. She didn’t usually like to be touched by people that she didn’t know and trust.
Ethan Stone.
She liked that name. The same number of letters for his first and last name added a symmetry she appreciated.
He didn’t have the classical good looks of the other bodyguard, Seth Blue. Another symmetrically pleasing name.
However, Mr. Blue didn’t have the same appeal for some reason. He should. He was gorgeous with dark hair and bright blue eyes. Mr. Blue could have been a movie star like Rhodes.
Mr. Stone returned with a top he gave to a blushing Brody. He gave Cate a long look and her insides warmed. What was it about him? Maybe it was how steady he seemed. Calm.
“Sorry,” Brody whispered to her.
“Not your fault. It’s mine.”
“Nah, it’s definitely my fault.” He slipped the T-shirt on. “I took my top off.”
“I asked you to.”
“But it was my—”
Someone cleared their throat and she glanced up into Mr. Stone’s face. He looked . . . amused?
Or maybe it was gas?
Babies smiled when they had gas, right? So yeah, it was likely that.
“Are you all right, Mr. Stone?” she asked. “Do you need an antacid?”
“Uh, no. Why would you think that? Also, call me Ethan.”
Okay. Not gas. Noted.
“No reason.” She jumped to her feet. “I have to go, um, deal with this. I promise your T-shirt is in good hands.”
“Thanks, Cate,” Brody said while staring at his laptop.
Once she was out of the room, she leaned against the wall. Her hands were shaking.
She was nervous about all of these strangers in her house.
Well, Rhodes’ house.
But he’d told her that it was her house as well.
Cate wished she was better at just going with the flow and accepting change. However, that wasn’t the case. Having a routine helped make her feel safe. It stopped her from panicking and hiding in her closet.
Which was where she wanted to go now.
Right after she dealt with this stain.
5
Ethan felt a crazy urge to follow Cate.
To anyone who wasn’t watching her carefully, she might have appeared uninterested and detached.
But he’d seen how she’d pulled in on herself after realizing that they’d all heard her ask Brody if he was spanked. He’d also noticed how she kept looking at Rhodes for reassurance before talking or doing something.
And how she’d practically rushed out of the room with Brody’s T-shirt. Clutching it tightly in her hand as though worried someone might snatch it away. Stone tried to stay focused on what everyone was discussing, but he still kept an ear out for Cate.
Just in case she needed him.
Lord. He was an idiot. Why would she need him?
“So, Rip, you’re good with Seth and Ethan staying here?” Ink asked. “Brody and I will probably leave tomorrow night.”
“Perfect,” Rhodes said. “I appreciate you fitting me in. Kevin wanted a local company to handle this, but I trust you, Ink. And I can’t have just anyone living in my house. And Cate feels better knowing it’s your team here.”
Ink nodded. “We got you, man. You know that.”
“I probably wouldn’t have taken those letters seriously if someone hadn’t tried to break in.”
“I told him those letters were red flags,” Kevin said.
“Yeah, but unfortunately, I didn’t believe it,” Rhodes said with clear regret. “Cate was here alone when the stalker attempted to breach my security. I was away for the weekend with my girlfriend, Samantha. Cate tries to pretend that it didn’t shake her, but I can tell it did.”
“That would be scary for anyone,” Ethan said.
“Do you know how the stalker found out where you live?” Seth asked.
“I think I can answer that.” Brody stood up and carried his laptop over to the table. “I’ve been doing some research into you. There’s a blog devoted to you.”
“There’re several of those,” Kevin scoffed.
“But none quite like this one.” Brody turned his laptop screen around to display the blog. There were several photos of Rhodes, taken from a distance and obviously without his knowledge.
“This site is devoted to discussing sightings, speculation, and just regular gossip about you. But one of the posts includes a photo of your gate outside. It doesn’t list your address, but if someone puts in some time, they could find it.”
“Fuck,” Rhodes said. “I know that site. I’ve tried to get it taken down, but the guy I hired to investigate basically said the person who owns it has hidden themselves well. And the web host won’t take it down.”