Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Because of him.
Each time I think of that beautiful, villainous face, I want to kick the damn wall. I don’t need a man like Dante Kincaid in my life, stirring up trouble. I need him to take his fancy ass back to New York in his sleek black Range Rover. Far away from me and Kian. Earlier, after the Chamber meeting, I wanted to throttle him. Hell, I’d been seconds from doing just that.
But then, my body betrayed me.
His mouth smirked in a maddening way that shot fire straight to my dick. I’d been horrified and disgusted. All I wanted was to protect Kian from the predatory man and ended up wondering what Dante’s lips would feel like pressed against mine.
It was the ultimate betrayal to me and also to Kian.
I let out a huff of frustration, clouding the air around me as my warm breath hits the chilled air. I’m early for my date, so I decide to distract myself and take a trip across the street to Granger Home Décor to scope it out since Jarrett’s being such a bitch about these ladies. As soon as the street clears, I jaywalk my ass across—because I’m the damn sheriff and there are perks to that shit.
Granger’s is lit up bright and inviting. The windows are huge, revealing an artfully decorated dining room table, showcasing many festive wintery items. There aren’t any customers inside, which makes me feel kind of bad. Jarrett’s is always buzzing with activity. It’s clear to see Granger’s offers newer, more sophisticated items that are still charming. I smirk when I notice the “smile, you’re on camera” sign. The people in this town are more likely to steal your roll at dinner than a fancy-ass picture frame or whatever the hell this place sells. When a blond woman spies me through the glass, she waves and smiles broadly at me, motioning for me to come inside.
Goddammit.
I still have a half hour until my date, so I give the woman a nod before opening the glass door. Bells jangle from against the glass, making me warm immediately to them. Since my last name is Bell, hearing them always makes me smile and has ever since I was a child.
“Welcome to Granger Home Décor,” the small, energetic woman exclaims. “You’re our first customer of the day. We’re so happy to have you visit our shop!”
Now I really do feel like shit.
This woman’s not a bitch. I’m going to have to tell Jarrett to lay off.
“I, uh, am just checking it out.” I extend my hand. “Sheriff Jaxson Bell.”
“Oh!” She shakes my hand, grinning. “I’m Addison Granger. My sister Adeline isn’t feeling well, so it’s just me running the shop today. Thanks for coming to check us out. Are you in the market for something new for the house?”
Images of my sparse home have me cringing. “I’m not exactly good at decorating.”
“Which is where we come in,” she tosses back with a conspiratorial smile. “What’s your favorite color?”
Hazel.
Like his eyes…
Dante or Kian?
I mentally punch myself for even questioning that shit.
“Blue,” I say instead. “Cop and all.”
She smirks. “Blue is a lovely color. Are you looking for a particular room?”
“Ehhh, living room?”
Addison laughs and shakes her head. “You’re hating every second of being here. That’s okay. I’m glad you popped in anyway. Maybe you know of someone in the market of adding some unique pieces to their space. A girlfriend perhaps?”
“Actually, I’m about to meet a young woman for a date.” I glance around the fancy shop. “Any first date gifts?”
She rubs her hands together, a determined smile on her face. “Right this way. I know the perfect thing!”
I follow the spritely woman through the shop over to a basket of handcrafted flowers. Each one is delicate and beautiful.
“A local woman who lives near Red Hake Mountain made these. She sells them from a little roadside shop for next to nothing. I begged her to let me sell them in my shop. In New York, these would sell for over a hundred dollars each,” she explains, her voice squeaking with excitement. “I’ll sell one to you, Sheriff, at cost. Perfect for a first date.”
Addison is a nice woman. Makes me feel like a super dick for giving her business the cold shoulder, along with everyone else in this town.
“Thanks, Addison,” I say as I pull out my wallet. “I’ll take the pink tulip.”
She flashes me a bright smile. “Ahh, the tulip. You mean to declare your love?”
“W-What? Uh, no,” I choke out. “Which flower says, ‘You seem nice?’”
“The gerbera symbolizes cheerfulness, though it’s a strange one for a date.” Her eyebrows pinch together. “Why do I get the idea you’re not excited about your date?”
I sigh and shrug. “My mother put me up to it.”
“Oh,” she says with a laugh. “Then the gerbera should do the trick. That’ll be sixteen dollars.”