Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
“Touché, babe. Let’s close this joint down and get our girls home.”
Pepper lets out a bark of approval.
“Hand me your keys, Rowan.”
I try to find more argument but it avails me. Why shouldn’t I hang out with two good-looking men and an adorable dog?
“Dinner is on me. Who likes Chinese?”
For the first time since I walked in, I’m awarded a pair of smiles that send a rush of happiness through me.
“Whoa, girl, give this old woman a break.” I tug at Pepper’s leash.
“You’re hardly an old woman. It’s the hangover,” Cruz corrects.
“I am the walking dead.”
“That’s why we’re out enjoying the fresh air. It does wonders for curing the booze blues.”
“You have experience in this?”
“Plenty.” He winks, throwing his arm around my shoulders and tagging me to him.
“Plus, you need a clear head for what we want to talk to you about,” Alex says.
I stumble at the conspiring glance they share.
“Calm, Rowan, it’s nothing worth face-planting.”
“Is another ambush coming on?”
“No ambush, we have a favor to ask.”
“Okay.”
“Alex and I are heading out of town next week. We planned the vacation before we adopted Pepper.”
All apprehension fades and a thrill takes over. “Do you need a dog sitter?”
“We do.”
“I’d love to.”
As if she senses my excitement, Pepper does a little hop.
“There’s more. We’d like you to stay at our place. It’ll help with getting her used to being in her home. Taking her to Ember’s or Mom’s may set her back.”
“Oh, I understand that completely. She needs to have consistency. But are you sure you want me to stay at your home? You don’t know me that well.”
This time, the look they exchange is easy to read. Exasperation.
“Why don’t you sleep?” Alex’s question surprises me.
“Sleep?”
“You mentioned several times last night you don’t sleep at night. Why?”
Unease washes through me and I shrug. “I’m a night owl.”
“Bullshit. We got sloshed, danced to Britney, and passed out watching Magic Mike. The initiation is complete. You are one of us now. Try again.”
“Nighttime brings back memories. My mind races and keeps me awake. So, I keep busy until dawn.”
“What keeps you busy?”
“Paperwork, research into new products and environmental advances in the beauty industry, tinkering with ideas for the salon.” All of this is true, but I leave out the biggest part.
“You slept last night.”
“As you pointed out, I was drunk.”
“You were happy.”
I nod with confirmation. “I was happy.”
“Our house is highly secure, with a system installed by Finn and Robbie. It’s monitored by Hayes security. The neighbors keep to themselves but are good people.”
“Plus, it’s filled with excellent memories,” Cruz adds softly.
He’s right. Last night was one of the best nights I remember in a very long time. “I’ll do it.”
Cruz plants a kiss on my forehead and drops his arm from my shoulders.
“Heads up, here comes the best part of our walk.”
Pepper wiggles wildly, pulling forward, whining with delight. A few yards ahead is a firehouse where two men are standing out front. They squat, clapping encouragingly. Pepper goes nuts.
“Let her go. They’ll get her,” Alex instructs.
This is obviously not the first time they’ve met. I release the leash and she runs toward the two men.
“You walk your dog to the fire station. Isn’t that a little cliché?”
“Wait until you see the firemen; then we’ll talk about cliché.” Alex’s tone is loaded with amusement. “My guess is the dog won’t be the only girl getting attention.”
“I’m a mess.” My hair is piled on top of my head, my face is free of make-up, and my shorts from yesterday are barely visible under the oversized t-shirt they lent me.
“You’re gorgeous, Rowan. It’s time you understand it.”
“Now, go save those men from Pepper licking them to death.” Cruz pops my butt, pushing me forward.
I make a mental note that these two are sneaky.
4
FORD
“Anyone want to spot me?” Tera’s face hovers above me.
I place the bar in the cradle and sit up, wiping my face longer than necessary to tame my temper. “Thought you were here for cardio.”
“That’s so boring. Looks like all the action is over here.”
“I’m out.” Ace flicks his wrist, his dark eyes locking with mine before he turns.
“Me too.” Major shoots me a similar glare and follows Ace to the locker room.
“Wow, is it something I said?” Tera mopes.
“Where are your clothes?” I grumble, stepping next to Talon, who’s solid as a rock.
“These are workout clothes.”
I keep her gaze, not giving her the satisfaction she’s seeking. “This is primarily a male gym. Most of us are with the force. You need to wear appropriate clothes.”
“What’s wrong with showing skin?”
“Nothing, as long as it’s not my gym.”
“When did you become such a fuddy-duddy?”
“Tera, we’re leaving. If you choose to stay, that’s on you.”
“Can’t you introduce me to some of your friends? Working out alone is dull.”
“We come to work out, not socialize.”
“Maybe I can join your crew.”