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)
“I was counting on it and did what I needed to keep her safe.”
“You are selfless, but there’s something else you need to know. We all went into that situation with an agenda. Mine was always you. Seeing you that night made me want to rip the fucker apart with my hands.”
Her breath hitches and eyes well with moisture. “I hate you saw me that way.”
“Don’t. Ever. Think. That.”
“Can you get past it?”
The vulnerability in her question makes me realize she’s still holding her uncertainty deep.
“Rowan, I’ll never get past a man hurting you. But the moment I saw the fire in your eyes, the hatred on your face, and the fight in you, I fell hard. Or should I say harder? You are the bravest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
“You’ve been watching my building for over six weeks?”
“Yes.”
There is no warning before her lips crash over mine, her legs locking around my hips. It takes a millisecond for my brain to compute, and I growl down her throat when her tongue sweeps through my mouth. My hands slide to her back, pulling her flush to me. Unlike other times, she fights me for control, curling her tongue, speeding her movements as she digs her fingernails into my chest. I relent, letting her have this, knowing she’s giving me something special.
Too soon, she breaks away, breathless. “I really, really wish you would have called or come up.”
“Jesus fuck.” I roll my hips to hers, making sure she feels what she’s done.
She giggles, curling her hands around my neck. “You sure you don’t want to go back to bed?”
My dick throbs, knowing what I’m about to do. “As much as it pains me, taking you back to bed means you will not work today.”
“I don’t go in until noon.”
“Rowan, I’m trying here.”
“Such the gentleman.”
“I have a dog to walk, a woman to feed, and just enough time for you to get ready for me to take you to the salon.”
“You want to walk Pepper with me?”
“You said she likes to run. I run four times a week so she can tag along. But I need to know her route.”
“You came over at daylight to make sure she has someone to run with?”
“Daylight was hours ago.”
“You know what I mean.”
The carefree smile and playfulness in her tone strike me hard. The heaviness of a few minutes ago is gone.
Pure beauty and light shine from her eyes, penetrating deep inside. The darkness, betrayal, and fear have no place in her anymore. At this moment, it’s clear, I’ll do anything to keep this look on her face every day.
“Why are you staring at me?” her smile falters.
“Because you’re gorgeous.”
“Hardly. I’m in workout clothes and…”
Whatever she says next is drowned out. I lean back, whipping my shirt over my head and forcing her arms from my shoulders.
“What are you doing?” she squeaks.
In a second, I have her shirt off, enjoying the brief view of her tiny sports bra before slipping my shirt over her. “You like oversized shirts, I have plenty.”
“You just stripped me in under four seconds. What if I wasn’t wearing anything under?”
“I’d like to say I’d be a gentleman, but that’s a lie. I didn’t like your shirt.”
“Why?”
“The truth?”
“Always.”
“Because this thing between us is real. It’s not some bullshit interest because you’re gorgeous. I’m into you, and going off what happened a few minutes ago, you’re giving me a shot. So, we’re moving ahead. I’m a cop. Which means MNPD.”
Her eyes bulge when it dawns on her. “You didn’t like my shirt because it was from the fire department?”
“I’m a jealous fucker.”
Her mouth snaps shut, her gaze dropping to my bare chest. “What are you going to do about a shirt?”
“I have an extra in the truck.”
“Let me guess? A Nashville Police Department shirt?”
“Probably.”
She shoves my shoulder. “Fine, you ridiculous brute. Let’s get this over with.”
All eyes come to me, the noisy chatter going radio silent. I take in the room—six stations, six stylists, six clients. None of them Rowan.
The woman who left Tom’s with Rowan assesses me, her expression apprehensive. “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for—”
“I know who you’re looking for.”
Yeah, she knows who I am. “She around?”
“Depends? Do you have an appointment?”
Usually, prying would piss me off, but this woman obviously cares for Rowan. That doesn’t mean I want a dozen people in my business. “After this weekend, I have a standing appointment.”
Shock flashes in her eyes before her mouth splits into a wide grin. “She’s at the shampoo station.”
I flick my wrist and head to the back, picking up the sound of music. What I see stops me dead in my tracks. Rowan’s back is to me, her body moving to the beat of the song as she washes Pepper in one of the large porcelain basins.
My eyes land on her ass, following each lurch of her hips.