Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
I pressed my lips together and tried to scowl, but I was too happy. I couldn’t fully do it.
“If you ever think I’ve done something wrong, don’t leave me. Talk to me first. Don’t get me wrong; you can throw a jealous tantrum anytime you want. It makes me horny as fuck. You are adorable, doing it. But don’t leave me. Because I swear to you, there is no way I’d mess this up.”
I started to lie back down beside him when I realized I had to admit something to him. I’d come close many times and not been able to say it, but he needed to know. I had to get it off my chest.
“I need to tell you something,” I said, not able to look at him. I was afraid if I did, I wouldn’t be able to get it out.
“Okay, I’m listening,” he replied.
I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath. There shouldn’t be secrets between us , I reminded myself. “I moved us to The Shores because I knew you lived here,” I blurted out.
Rio chuckled, and I opened my eyes, then turned to look at him. I hadn’t expected him to laugh.
“I figured that out a while back,” he told me, then reached for my arm and pulled me to his chest.
“You don’t think that’s stalkerish or crazy?” I asked him.
He played with my hair. “I think it makes me the luckiest damn guy I know.”
I sighed, relieved by his response and that I no longer had any secrets. This was joy. I wasn’t sure I had experienced it before. Deep down, I was afraid of what fate would do to me. I hoped that life, just this one time, would give me a break and let me have this.
Chapter Forty-Four
Rio
The summer was coming to an end. For the past few days, Bryn had been planning Cullen’s birthday next week. Now that he was at a kids camp during the day while we worked at the farmers market, he had some friends to invite, and I thought she was more excited about it than he was. Cullen was more excited about the fact that he would start kindergarten soon. He had his Spider-Man backpack already by his bed with his school supplies.
I rarely stayed at my place anymore. I wanted to talk to Bryn about moving in and taking up the rent payment. She hadn’t mentioned us making our living arrangements permanent yet, but I thought she might. I was giving her time.
“Is Bryn in the office?” Hazel asked, breaking into my thoughts as I did inventory in the stockroom.
“Yeah. Why?”
Hazel pressed her lips together nervously. “Uh, well, there is someone asking for her.”
“Who?” And why did Hazel look so uncomfortable? I put my smart tablet down on a shelf, ready to go see for myself.
“A man,” she said softly.
“Show me,” I replied.
Hazel’s eyes shot toward the office door, then back to me. “He asked for Bryn,” she said.
“Now, Hazel.”
She rolled her eyes and turned around. “Fine.”
I followed her out to the customer service desk, and a guy—about my age with long, dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing a pearl-snap plaid shirt, jeans, and boots—stood, watching us approach. All he lacked was a damn cowboy hat.
Who the fuck is he?
“That’s him,” Hazel whispered.
I stepped forward. “Can I help you?” I asked.
“I’m looking for Bryn Wallace. I was told she works here,” he replied.
“What do you need with Bryn?”
He smirked. “That’s between me and her.”
The fuck it was. I was a guy, but I also knew when another man was attractive. Cowboy Bill was the kind of guy females didn’t miss. He had already caught the attention of several. I could see two of my employees currently checking him out from across the fruit section.
“You want to talk to Bryn? Then, you’ll need to give me a reason,” I told him.
An amused grin touched his lips, and he tilted his head back and let out a hard laugh. “I’m gonna take it, Bryn just got prettier with age, and she’s got you pussy-whipped.”
I didn’t remember getting from one side of the counter to the other, but rage blared hot in my chest when I grabbed his fucking pearl-snap shirt. “Get the fuck out of here,” I snarled as I shoved him backward.
That damn smirk on his face didn’t leave, but he held up both hands as he moved back a few steps.
I stalked forward, ready to plant my fist in his face when Bryn called my name. I swung my gaze to see her walking toward us.
“Stop,” she pleaded.
Fury pounded in my veins, but I lowered my fist and took a deep breath, hoping it would calm me down. She knew him. I didn’t like that.
When she reached me, she touched my arm and looked up at me, then shifted her gaze to him. “What are you doing here, Decker?” she asked, her voice shaky, although she didn’t stammer.