Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Sloane Harrow was the first person in a long time, outside of the Adairs, who I felt so comfortable with that it was like we’d known each other for years.
It wasn’t ideal that I taught her daughter, but Ardnoch was a small place, and these things couldn’t be avoided.
Sloane was in the middle of telling me that Regan had already invited her and Callie to spend Christmas with the Adairs, since they were alone here, when her attention drifted outside and she paused midsentence. A flush crested her cheeks, and I glanced out the window.
I tensed in my seat.
Brodan and Walker were strolling toward the café.
Shit.
Butterflies fluttered to life in my belly.
Seeing Sloane’s suddenly bright eyes, I shifted uncomfortably. “I thought you were used to famous people.”
Her gaze flew to mine. “Oh. Oh no, yeah, I am. It’s not … I have a little crush on Brodan’s bodyguard.”
I relaxed and hated myself for the reaction. “Ah.”
“He’s just so …” Her dreamy stare drifted back out the window. “Rugged and sexy and tall. He works on the estate, too, you know. Every time I catch a glimpse of him at work, I swear my knees turn to jelly. What is that? I’ve never reacted like this to a guy. And that accent … yum. And he likes my baking a lot.” Sloane’s lips pinched together for a second. “But he doesn’t seem to know I exist beyond the baking. Not that I need to be in a relationship. In fact, I need a relationship like I need a hole in the head.” She leaned toward me and whispered, “It would be nice to get laid, though.”
I chuckled, nodding. “Aye, I know that feeling.”
Sloane grinned. “And I could climb that man like a tree.”
I burst out laughing just as the bell above Flora’s door tinkled.
“What’s so funny?”
Tensing, I looked over my shoulder to see Brodan smiling at me. Walker stood by his side. The two of them, as always, filled the small café. I shrugged. “Just girl talk.”
He studied my face like he was memorizing every feature before he looked at Sloane. “Nice to see you again.”
“You too.” She smiled prettily at him, immediately turning it on Walker. “Hi, Walker.”
“Sloane.” He nodded at her and then at me. “Monroe.”
“Hi.”
“Flora, my love, how are you?” Brodan called across the busy café. “Any extra seats so we can join these lovely ladies?”
Flora tittered like a schoolgirl as she nodded, and Walker followed her into the back to grab the folding bistro chairs.
Fuck.
Sloane practically squirmed with delight. “Looks like we have company.”
Of course, it was thrilling for her to sit with her crush. Not so thrilling for me to sit with Brodan.
It pissed me off.
I’d told him I had plans, and he’d deliberately crashed them.
Narrowing my eyes on him, I let my displeasure emanate from me as they tried to squeeze their too-tall bodies into the small chairs. Brodan, of course, sat beside me. He leaned his elbows on the tiny table, so his arm touched mine. His grin was wickedly boyish and sexy as hell. “Well, this is cozy.”
I glowered at him.
The bastard grinned harder.
“Oh, sorry,” Sloane suddenly said, her cheeks flushed as she shot Walker a look.
He waved her off. “I’m the one who kicked you.” He scowled at Brodan, but his friend and boss wasn’t paying attention.
“You look beautiful,” Brodan said sincerely.
Determined not to be swayed by flattery, I stared stonily at him. “You look squashed. So does Walker.”
Walker grunted in the affirmative.
“I’m definitely not squashed.” He pressed his leg against mine under the table. “I’m just right.”
“You’re no’ right in the head, more like it,” I replied.
“I think I am for the first time in years.”
I sighed. “What are you doing here?”
“Joining you for brunch.”
“No one invited you.”
“I did.”
“That doesn’t count.”
He smirked. “I just assumed you were too shy to invite me.”
“I have never been shy around you, Brodan Adair.”
“Oh, don’t I know it.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
I was going to kill him. “So … this is the way you’ve chosen to die?”
He smiled so big it almost broke me. “I’d prefer to be under you in that moment, but a man takes what he can get.”
“Brodan!” I shoved him, glancing around to make sure no one beyond our table heard him.
Sloane choked on her laughter as Brodan threw his head back and let his go. It drew stares, and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. “You’re making a scene.”
His laughter quietened as he searched my face. “I’ll make you laugh again someday, Sunset.”
Pain lashed through me, and his eyes darkened as if he saw it.
Sloane cleared her throat as she pushed back from the table. “Actually, I just remembered I have things to do, so I really should be going. Walker.” She looked down at him. “Would you walk me out? I baked some cupcakes for Regan and Thane since they’ve been so welcoming, and I have extra. They’re yours if you want them.”