Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 124574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 623(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 623(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Polly was still gaping when I managed to bring myself out of Keltan’s arm and focus on her. One hand was still on her wine glass, the other on the wood of the doorframe.
“Holy shit,” she repeated.
“Well, it’s a good thing you dropped out of college since you seem to repeat the same two words far too often. I couldn’t imagine that would work well for papers,” I said dryly.
Keltan’s eyes, which had still been on me, focused on Polly.
“You dropped out of college?” he asked her.
She nodded, looking at the hallway in confusion before realizing the visitor was inside and therefore she could close the door. She did so, then focused on Keltan.
“Yeah. It just wasn’t me, you know? I don’t need a bunch of professors telling me who to be.”
Keltan nodded once. “Yeah, that’s something you need to figure out for yourself,” he agreed.
I slapped his bicep. The gesture hurt my hand more than it did the hard muscle, I was sure, but it communicated what I needed it to.
“You’re not supposed to encourage that,” I told him. “You’re meant to tell her the value of college for creating a well-rounded and responsible adult.”
He grinned down at me. “Babe, I’m not meant to tell her anything. Especially when I didn’t go, and my own sister dropped out of uni two years into a fashion degree. Now she lives in Paris, works for some swanky designer. Can’t see the value in it myself. Not when life has more to offer.” He gave me a meaningful glance. “And you graduated college, right?”
I nodded.
“And you’re a well-rounded, responsible adult?” he asked, his eyes sparkling, the rest of his expression blank.
I yanked myself out of his arms.
Or rather, tried to. They flexed slightly and I stayed in place. “I resent that. I’m responsible. I have a job. And an apartment. And I ate fruit….” I squinted, trying to think about when my last meal was, let alone something of nutritional value. I glanced down at the glass that was still in my hand. “Not two minutes ago,” I finished triumphantly.
Keltan raised his brow. “We’re callin’ that fruit? And a meal?”
I narrowed my eyes. “We are. You have a problem with that?”
My tone told him that he did not indeed have a problem with that. Ever.
He grinned, kissing my head again. “Of course not. Just means I can take you to dinner.” He glanced at Polly. “And you, of course, our little college dropout. I hear they exist on noodles and beer at college, and while I approve, I think you deserve more sustenance than that.”
I stared at him and his easy words to include my sister in his plans. It made me feel nice and soft for a second.
Only a second.
Because he was making plans.
Without consulting me.
“Dinner?” I probed.
He looked down at me. “Yeah, the thing some people consume with wine. I’m taking you to get some.” His hand ran down the side of my body, and his jaw hardened. “Looks like you haven’t had it in a long while. Not enough, anyway. That’ll be changing. I’ll make sure you eat at all three mealtimes of the day. And coffee doesn’t count,” he added, giving me a pointed look.
I frowned at him. “You can’t follow me around all day reminding me to eat. That’s ridiculous.”
He lifted his brow. “I can. And when I can’t, Heath can. He’s already following you around all day. I’ll make sure he feeds and waters you.”
“I’m not a hamster,” I snapped.
“Wait, who is Heath and why is he following Lucy around?” Polly interjected. “Have you got a Big Love type thing going on?” She grinned at Keltan. “Is he your brother husband?”
I glared at Keltan for bringing up Heath. Polly was a dog with a bone; she wouldn’t let this go now.
And no way did I want Polly knowing anything about the whole “I’m investigating a murder” thing. She tended to react badly to that kind of drama. Hence why she didn’t involve herself heavily in the Sons of Templar. She got on with them all, sure, but it just wasn’t her scene.
And the violence that invariably came with it?
No, my peace-loving sister did not like that. She was strong in some ways, but in others she was so delicate that I was afraid even the edges of the tragedies involved with the club brushing against her might bruise and batter her gentleness. Even though she was the one who brought me out of my hysteria the day of Laurie’s funeral, I knew that ugliness had settled somewhere in her beautiful soul, even if she didn’t.
Keltan didn’t blink. “Just a buddy of mine. Been introduced to Lucy. Keeping an eye on her when I can’t. You know, to make sure she doesn’t set any more fires.” He gave Polly a wink.