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)
“Umm, not really. Ford said they had a bad day.” I hope the explanation is enough. No such luck.
“Robbie has had bad days before. This was different.”
“From what I overheard, they screwed up an assignment.”
“Then you know as much as me. Ford wasn’t too torn up about it, though. Robbie probably took it personally because he’s in charge.”
Cruz seems to accept this, moving his attention around the space. “Can’t believe we’ve never been here before. It’s amazing. We need to schedule standing appointments before Rendezvous hits stardom.”
A sense of pride travels through me. “I’m not sure stardom is the right term.”
“Are you kidding me?” Cruz points at his head. “My scalp is still tingling from the shampoo, and check out this shine. Your products are magnifique.”
“He has a point,” Alex agrees.
“The tingling is from the essential oil.”
“Who’s that?”
I follow Ginger’s line of sight to headlights turning into the parking lot and blinding through the windows. There’s a flash of black and my heart jumps. I shove my glass into Alex’s chest and take off.
Ford barely has two feet on the ground before I launch into his arms, clinging tight. The scents of sweat and pine fill my senses, and I suck in a breath, unable to get enough. The thick bristle of his beard scratches my cheek, making me nestle deeper.
“Baby.” His voice, smoky and thick, washes over my skin.
“I missed you so much.”
“Jesus, baby, give me your mouth.”
I comply, tilting right as his lips clash with mine. Our tongues collide, fighting for control. Stroke for stroke, I pour days’ worth of missing him into the kiss.
He hitches me higher, squeezing until my ribs ache. My hands fist and tug at his hair, my neck angling to give him full access.
God, the taste and feel of him spark in my blood, increasing my need. My lungs burn, but I don’t dare pull away.
He groans down my throat, backing me into his truck.
“Yoo-hoo, love birds, this is a public street and you’re borderline indecent.”
Cruz’s words barely register until Ford tears his mouth away, both of us panting.
“Fuck, Rowan.” The hardness behind the denim rubs against me, and I moan in appreciation. “Four days. Four days I’ve waited to have you back in my arms and we have a goddamned audience.”
I can’t hold back the giggle.
“Not helping my dick when your body vibrates.”
At this, I lose it, laughing outright.
He grunts, placing me on my feet, but keeps me pressed to him. His beautiful hazel eyes alight.
“You are a sight.”
“So are you. I can’t believe you’re here. I didn’t expect you until tomorrow.”
“We got done and none of us wanted to stay another night. Dropped off Talon and Major, came straight to you.”
“How’d you know I was here?”
He quirks an eyebrow and I roll my eyes. It was a stupid question. Ford knows everything. He monitors the alarms at my salon and Cruz’s townhome. I learned a while ago to deal with his overprotective streak.
“Why are you here?”
“I talked Cruz into a haircut.”
“Of course you did.” There’s a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
“Why do you say it like that?”
“Because, baby, I bet there isn’t a man alive that would turn you down. Even ones who don’t want to fuck you.”
“That was cunningly sweet.”
“Not sure I’m feeling too sweet right now. Think we can wrap this party up so I can get you back to my place?”
I’m about to nod until the switch in my head flips. “I can’t.”
“You can’t?”
“I haven’t packed yet and we leave tomorrow.”
“I’ve been gone four days, and you didn’t pack?”
“No, I was busy.”
“Busy how? The salon was closed yesterday. You said you were getting ready.”
I did text him that, but things changed.
“I know, but since we’re leaving for six days, I had to prepare. Then I got caught up with some new product ideas. One thing led to another… and I’ve basically lived here since you left on Friday.”
He blows out an exasperated breath and lifts his face to the night sky. “How long will it take you to pack?”
“A few hours.”
“Can you speed that shit up?”
“Ford!” I actually stomp like a child. “This is a fancy wedding. I can’t speed any ‘shit’ up. If I rush, I’ll miss something.”
“We’re going to Kentucky; they have malls if you need anything.”
At the implication, I’m pretty sure steam comes out of my ears. “The mall? The mall?” The high-pitched squawk resembles a feral cat. “You think I can just pop into a mall? This wedding has taken months of planning. Dresses, shoes, and hair accessories for day and night events. Not to mention the afternoon horseback riding and—"
My rant is silenced when his mouth closes over mine. “No need to lose your head, Hollywood.”
“You have a lot to learn about women, Ford Whitman.”
“Only one woman that concerns me.”
“Don’t be charming when you just exposed your apparent lack of knowledge concerning preparation for this occasion.”