Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“I don’t know.”
“Let’s try.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Think happy thoughts. Can you see Rexy? He’s worried about you.”
Aspen peeked over Jerico’s body to see Rexy’s snout lying on the edge of the bed. The dog watched them carefully to make sure Aspen was safe. She reached for the fluff on the top of his head and petted Rexy.
“I’m okay, Rexy. Just a bad dream. Go back to sleep.”
The dog yawned widely and sank down on the floor. They could hear the rattle of his collar with the tag Aspen had purchased for him as he settled.
“Rexy is going to think about meadows to romp in and his favorite treats. What are you going to imagine?” Jerico asked.
“Banana splits and baseball games,” she answered instantly.
“Good choices. Close your eyes, Aspen.”
With visions of banana splits flying through the air as men ran around the bases in tight pants, Aspen fell asleep in his arms.
Warm lips pressing against hers woke Aspen up. Recognizing Jerico’s taste, she responded eagerly. Damn, he tasted good.
Aspen had roused several times during the wee morning hours and each time she’d found herself held tight against his body. That feeling of protection allowed her to push her worries out of her head and drift back to sleep. That man in the alley didn’t seem so scary with Jerico by her side.
“I’m sorry to wake you up. I’m tied up at a meeting with the brass this afternoon. One of my team will pick you up at a quarter to four to take you to work. I’ll be there to bring you home.”
“I can drive myself,” she told him.
“Do you want me to have a car in the driveway all afternoon or can you be good and say thank you?”
His firm tone told her all she needed to know. “Thank you.”
“Good girl. Go back to sleep.”
She smirked at him. Like she could sleep now.
“No getting out of bed until at least six,” he decreed.
“What time is it?” she asked, propping herself up on an elbow to look around the room for a clock.
“Five-fifteen.”
“That’s an actual time people get up?” she asked, shaking her head.
“Six o’clock,” he repeated.
Aspen flopped back down to the pillows. She’d wait until he left and then she’d get up. Closing her eyes, Aspen could smell his masculine scent on the pillow. She pulled it close and snuggled into the crisp covers.
When she thought to check the time again, Aspen was amazed to find it was ten o’clock. Stretching her arms and legs in different directions, Aspen felt better than she had in days. Who got to sleep until ten?
Woof!
“Good morning, Rexy. Want to go potty?” she asked and slid to the edge of the bed to get up. “Let me run there first.”
In a few minutes, they both felt a lot better. Aspen changed from her baggy nightshirt to a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Once back in the kitchen, she noticed a note on the island.
Eat. Drink. This is your home now.
Remembering his yummy eggs, Aspen opened the refrigerator to see more food than she could imagine two people eating in a week. He must have gotten a truckload of food delivered yesterday. Quickly, she scrambled some eggs, throwing in some cheese to try to rival his. It didn’t, but that was okay. They were still delicious.
She looked around for a coffeepot and didn’t see one. Searching through the cabinet, there was no sign of any type of coffee or brewer. Didn’t he need caffeine as early as he got up?
Resorting to a glass of water, she filled a tumbler from the dispenser on the fridge. There was a paper on the table, folded open. It made her smile. Her grandparents still got the paper, but most people just read it on their phone, if at all. Obviously, Jerico was an old-fashioned kind of guy.
Aspen took a bite of her eggs, pulled the newspaper toward her, and discovered that the base put the paper out. A circled section caught her eye. It was a help-wanted listing.
Custodial staff needed on the base in the following locations. Please apply online.
Below, there were several areas listed. She could do all those jobs. Aspen grabbed her phone and navigated to the listings on the internet.
Between bites of her breakfast, Aspen typed in the link and filled in her information. She hesitated when they asked for her address. What was the address here?
A pile of envelopes sat on the island. Aspen grabbed one and added the address to the application. In just a few minutes, she pressed the submit button. She’d never thought of applying there.
About forty minutes later, her phone rang. She had an interview at noon.
CHAPTER 7
Ihave a new job. I start tomorrow.
Jerico read that message and smiled.
“What’s up, boss?” Koa asked.