Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
“I suppose you’re used to crazy weather like this.”
He shrugs. “It was part of my career. Would you like a glass of wine to calm your nerves?”
“Yes. That would be fantastic.” I nod, and he takes my hand, leading me into his kitchen. He’s moving forward, and I’m able to mask the electricity that shoots through my fingers. I don’t pull it out of his grip, so we hold hands until he pulls out a chair for me.
“Sit down.” Brooks quickly moves around the room and gets our glasses.
“You look like you need this.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“It’s been a long, crazy day.”
Chapter Five
Brooks
We sit in the kitchen, drinking wine and discussing tomorrow’s plans. “We’re going to have a big day as soon as the sun is up.” I’ve kept my eyes on all the different tracking systems and my phone has been blowing up with messages from the agencies who are keeping me informed. It’s no wonder politicians age much quicker than others. I never felt so damn stressed. So many lives are at stake, and all I can do is pray that everyone listens to our requests to vacate and take shelter in the specialized areas that would be safe.
“We’ll head over and assess the damage if we can get through the roads, but what if it’s flooded?” It’s a big concern, but fortunately, I have a contingency plan in place after going over it with the FEMA command center.
“There are lots of boats tied up away from the shore that we can bring into town. Also, there is one here to use if necessary.”
“I can’t believe you put this together within two days.”
“The town did. We only have two thousand residents, and most of our people have their own preparedness kits.” I am fortunate to be the mayor of a small hamlet.
“You’re right.”
“Wow, I believe that might be a first.”
“That you’re right or that I’m admitting it?”
“The latter.”
“It might not happen often. It’s the wine talking,” Taylor says.
“I’m sure it is. Maybe I should take it away from you.” I reach out to take it, but she pulls it back.
“Don’t you dare. I need it.” She tosses back the glass, finishing the drink in one long gulp.
“Whoa, calm down, sweetheart,” I say, reaching out and taking the glass from her hands.
“I’m fine, Brooks.” She rolls her pretty blue eyes and sighs.
I close the distance, leaving little space between her thighs and mine. “Are you? You called me Brooks.”
“You told me to, Mr.” I pressed my hand to her mouth, stopping her from continuing that nonsense. Fuck, the jolt of pleasure from my fingers against her lips shoots through every nerve in my body.
“Don’t do it. Call me Brooks, or I’ll take away your wine.” We both eyed the bottle on the counter between us.
“You wouldn’t be so mean,” she gasps.
I cup her cheek and look into her eyes. “Try me.”
Her phone rang, interrupting the growing tension. We both reached for her purse, and I pulled back because it wasn’t my right to go digging through her bag. “Is it that asshole from earlier?”
“What asshole?” she questioned.
“That Bryan?” I say through clenched teeth, my hand sliding up her arm to the back of her neck.
“I don’t know,” Taylor answers with a light moan. She pulls it out, and it’s that fucker.
“Didn’t you tell him that you’d call? He’s a fucking stalker.”
“Bryan’s not a stalker.”
I fist her chocolate-colored hair, my face inches from hers as I lean in and ask, “Are you two fucking?”
She lightly shakes her head and answers so softly, “No.”
“Then he has no reason for calling you like a hungry little bitch.” The phone rang again, and I snatched it and answered it for her without taking my eyes off her face. “Hello.”
“Who is this?”
“Mayor Payne. Ms. Phillips is too busy to take your call. Is there something I can help you with?”
“No, I only want to speak with her.” The tone in his voice told me all I needed to know. This call was exactly what I thought it was, marking his fucking territory.
“Well, that’s tough. She’s busy for the foreseeable future.” I ended the call, released my hold on her, walked to the garbage bin that was hidden inside the cabinet, and tossed the phone in the trash.
“What the hell was that about?” Taylor hollers with her hands placed on her sexy hips, drawing attention to her apex.
I mime, dusting off my hands. “I told you Bryan was a damn stalker.”
“He’s not. Just because he wants to go out on a date with me doesn’t make him a stalker. It’s not like I’ve turned him down.”
“I thought you said you weren’t dating this motherfucker?”
“I’m not, but I haven’t given him a yes or a no. Why does it matter to you?”
“Because he’s not good enough for you.”