Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
I turn back toward the woodpile, a mixture of disappointment and rage simmering beneath my skin. A part of me knew it—knew this was temporary. That some part of her still belonged to him. And the fear that she might run back to the bastard wraps around my chest like barbed wire. Tight. Sinking deep.
What the hell am I doing opening up my world for a woman who might already belong to someone else? I spend the next hour chopping wood and trying to keep her sweet smile off my mind. By the time I walk back into my kitchen, I’ve decided that this woman is off-limits, at least as far as my heart is concerned.
Palmer Lane walks around my cabin like she owns the place. Head high, shoulders squared, those bright green eyes scanning my space like she belongs here. I help her clean up the dishes in the kitchen from her pasta-making, silence lingering between us before I finally utter, “was thinking we could get married at the courthouse, maybe this weekend?”
“That sounds…romantic.”
She drops the dish towel on the counter, pursing her lips like she’s just found herself in a bear den. Which, considering I live here, ain’t far from the truth.
I fold my arms. “Listen, I told you, I don’t need a wife. Just a name on the paperwork.”
She doesn’t flinch. Just lifts a brow, smirking. “And I don’t need a husband. Just a place to stay.”
My teeth grind.
Battle lines drawn in the dirt.
She turns on her heel, leaving the kitchen and climbing the staircase to the loft. I follow her, feeling like a hundred things have been left unsaid between us but not sure what exactly. I watch as she digs through one of her suitcases, pulling out what looks like half the inventory of a high-end boutique. Silk blouses. Delicate lingerie. Shiny heels. Nothing that belongs anywhere near Devil’s Peak.
Christ.
“What the hell are you gonna do with all that up here?” I finally ask.
She doesn’t look up. “Wear it.”
My jaw ticks. This woman is not built for the mountain. She’s soft, delicate. Like one of those expensive glass figurines you find in fancy city stores.
And she’s hiding something.
I can see it in the way her shoulders tense whenever a truck rumbles past the cabin. In the way she keeps checking her phone like she’s waiting for the devil himself to call. I don’t have time for games. This arrangement is simple. She needed a safe place, I needed a name on the deed. That’s it. No strings. No complications. No her getting under my damn skin.
The door swings open downstairs then, and I know before I even turn around that it’s them.
Liam’s slow drawl cuts through the cabin first. “Well, well, well. Didn’t take long for you to get a woman up here, Kane.”
Grady grins, leaning against the doorway like he’s got all the time in the world. “Damn. Didn’t think you’d actually go through with the mail-order bride thing. Thought for sure it was just one of your grumpy rants.”
Fox, silent as ever, just smirks, eyes flicking between me and Palmer like he already knows exactly what’s going on in my head.
I scowl. “She’s not my wife.”
Grady gestures toward Palmer, who’s standing there with her arms crossed, looking all too pleased with my suffering. “She got a ring on her finger?”
I grunt.
Grady lets out a bark of laughter. “Then she’s your wife.”
Palmer sighs dramatically, shaking her head. “I hate to break up this touching bromance, but does anyone want coffee? I need something strong if I’m going to survive living with him.”
She jerks her thumb toward me.
Liam lets out a low whistle. “Oh yeah. She’s got you pegged already.”
I glare. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”
Grady grins. “Nope.”
I hate my friends.
Palmer smirks, making her way toward the kitchen. “I’ll make a fresh pot. Maybe some cookies, too.”
I stare after her, scowling.
Grady nudges my arm. “You’re screwed, man.”
Fox just lifts a brow. “She hiding something?”
I grunt. “She’s got a past she won’t talk about. And I think it has to do with her ex.”
Grady’s grin drops.
Fox and Liam exchange a look.
I keep going. “She’s running from something. Flinches at every loud noise. Keeps ignoring phone calls. But she won’t tell me who. Got a feelin’ she left someone behind that’s missing her.”
Liam leans against the wall, crossing his arms. “And you think she’s still in love with him?”
I grind my molars. “I know so, overheard her on the phone earlier. Said she’s afraid of me.”
Fox shrugs. “Maybe she’s scared of him.”
Grady leans in. “Or maybe she’s just scared of falling for a grumpy bastard like you.”
I glare. “Don’t you have a life to get back to?”
Grady smirks. “Nah. This is more fun.”
Palmer returns, holding a cup of coffee, steam curling around her delicate fingers.
She hands it to me with a sickly sweet smile. “Drink up, husband.”