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)
Aww, my heart pitters at this.
“And no, we haven’t slept together, but he has an intensity that has my blood scorching from just his kisses.”
Looks like she’s been holding back some critical information.
“Then let me educate you.” A sense of empowerment comes over me, knowing this may be the first time I have good advice to give.
“Craig considered me a cosmetologist. He never considered the back-breaking work it took to get my business up and running. Once, he saw my cosmetology certificate and immediately jumped in on his four-year business degree.”
Anger fills her features, and she squeezes my hand to the point of pain. “Craig was a world-class asshat who deserves to rot in jail.”
“This is true, and even though I was college educated, he considered himself superior. He never loved to hear me talk about my life. In all the time we dated, he didn’t help me close this salon once.”
“Once again, he’s—” I tap my finger on her lips, not wanting a tirade.
“Ford is the most successful, wealthy, worldly, sexiest man in my life. I was living in a studio above my salon, everything was topsy-turvy, and I had little stability.”
“Rowan,” she starts, but I continue.
“I know little about Collin, but he seemed like a great guy. Three dates and an escort back to your parents’ house doesn’t say he’s superficial or looking for sex only.”
“Why do I care?” She blows a breath to the ceiling.
“Because he has the potential to be a good guy, and you’re interested in pursuing it.”
“Why, oh why? I’m happy slinging drinks at night and schmoozing with biddies.” Her attitude shifts back to the woman I know.
“Speaking of schmoozing, I noticed you only mentioned two part-time jobs.”
“Yeah, I gave notice at the online position. My brain was bleeding every time I switched on that computer.”
“It wasn’t you. You’re used to jet-setting and socializing.”
“Yeah, well, I miss fashion.”
An idea brews in my brain and I hop up, yanking her with me. “Ember!”
“What about Ember?”
“Ember is having a baby. Cruz is juggling his law work. They need help. You’d be perfect.”
“A formalwear store?”
“The primo formalwear store with custom pieces that is half-owned by the sister-in-law of the biggest rock star ever!”
She scowls, but her eyes tell a different story. “I’ll think about it.”
“You’d be doing them a huge favor.”
I play a different hand.
“Fine, I’ll call Cruz and offer my help.”
“Oh, damn!” I snap my fingers.
“What now?”
“When will you find the time for that super-hot and sexy man who singes your skin?”
“You’re a bitch. I’ll figure it out.”
I hug her against her will, and she wiggles away.
“In all seriousness, you can stay here as many nights and for as long as you like.”
She grunts but looks back at my hand. “Guess it’s good he didn’t put a ring on it. If my death squeeze would have broken skin, he’s be up in my face.”
I hold my breath then burst into loud cackles, falling into her.
31
FORD
“Mr. Hayes? There are visitors here.”
“No one on my calendar, Brenda,” Robbie tells his administrative assistant.
“Yes, sir, but they say they know you, and,” she pauses and lowers her voice, “they were causing a scene. Two of them insisted their husbands are with you.”
My head snaps to Ace and Major, who appear as surprised as me. We enter the building through a restricted entrance in order to avoid the staff. Our position on this team has remained confidential except to those in the know.
Until now.
“What kind of scene, Brenda?” Finn questions.
“They are mad, and… Well, one of them is very pregnant. I was afraid she’d go into labor in the lobby. They are in conference room C.”
“Shit.” Major tosses his pen across the table and stands.
“I’ll take it from here, thanks.” Robbie clicks off the speaker and looks between us. “Any clue what this is about?”
“Not a clue, but I’m going to tan Jewls’ ass.”
We file out, following Robbie to the conference room, which luckily isn’t in the main area. When Rowan spots me, her blistering glare stops me in my tracks.
The women line up shoulder to shoulder, all of them hot.
Not in the gorgeous, sexy way I’m used to.
More of the ‘if looks could disintegrate human flesh, we’d be a pile of ashes’.”
“You!” Rowan stabs her finger in my direction.
“You!” Harley and Jewls repeat the action to their husbands.
“Talon, bring your ass over here and sit down.” Rowan spins a chair. “And you, Ford Whitman, have two seconds before I lose my ever-loving mind. How could you hide the fact Talon got shot?”
“Same!” Jewls and Harley parrot again.
Talon saunters over to the chair with a low whistle.
“Ouch, Hollywood has a temper.” Finn recoils with a fake shiver.
“Shut it, Hero, or you’re next,” Rowan snipes.
He throws his hands up in surrender.
“Ladies, I’m fine. It was a flesh wound.”
Three sets of eyes slice to Talon, who slinks into the chair.