Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“I’m so full,” she says, but when Hilary returns with the dessert menu, she bites her lip. “Yeah, that crème brûlée is calling my name. Share it with me?”
“Perfect. I’d also like coffee.”
“I’d like that, too,” Polly agrees, and Hillary bustles off to do her thing. She glances out the window and smiles. “Look at the alpenglow.”
The mountains are cast in pink as the sun sets opposite of them. We’ve been sitting here for several hours, talking and eating and laughing. It’s felt like mere minutes with her.
“Chase and Summer are coming out to my ranch on Sunday,” I say. “Summer’s going to try riding a horse for the first time.”
“You’re kidding.” Polly blinks at me and then busts up laughing. “Oh, to be a fly on the wall.”
“Actually, I’d love it if you joined us. They’re coming just after lunchtime, but you could come out earlier than that, and I’ll give you a tour. I know you’ve been there before, but—”
“But we didn’t really take time for a tour of the house,” she says with a wink. “I suppose I can take Sunday off. I’d like that, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m getting you on a horse, too.”
She considers that. “It’s been a while, but I bet I can still do it.”
After settling the check, I take Polly home and walk her to her door.
“Do you want to come in?” she asks.
More than just about anything.
But I lean in and kiss her forehead. “I have to get home.”
“Okay.” She sighs when I kiss the tip of her nose. “I understand. I’ll see you on Sunday.”
My hands dive into her hair and fist at the back of her head, and I sink into her, kissing her with all I have. Christ, I’ve missed the taste of her, the feel of her against me.
She whimpers and wraps her arms around my neck, and I pick her up so we’re face to face, and I don’t have to bend down so damn far to reach her.
She tastes like heaven and smells even better, and when she says my name and pins me in that emerald stare, I almost cave and go in with her.
But then my phone rings, pulling me back to reality.
“I have to get home to Jake,” I say regretfully. “That’s him, checking in with me.”
“I get it,” she says, but regret hangs heavily in her voice, and I have to admit that I feel the same way.
“Sunday. I’ll see you on Sunday.”
She nods as I set her on her feet, and I wait for her to unlock her door. She smiles back at me, and then she’s gone. I return to the truck, adjusting myself in my jeans, and call Jake back.
“Hey, buddy, I’m headed home. Where are you?”
“Just got home. Gonna play with Russ for a while. Can you bring pizza?”
I blow out a breath, still trying to settle my nerves. “Sure. I’ll bring pizza.”
“It’s been quiet.” Axel is the head of my security, and we meet once a week in my office, so he can update me on any concerns. “I know you want two guys here twenty-four seven, but I don’t see a need for it anymore.”
“Have you heard that there is nothing to worry about?”
Axel shifts on his feet and sighs. “No.”
“Then they stay. When that’s resolved, we’ll cut it down to one on duty at a time. We have the whole ranch covered with cameras, but in the meantime, I want two.”
“Yes, sir,” Axel replies.
“I’m glad that things have been quiet around here. I’ll have guests on the ranch today, and likely often through the summer because my brother’s kids will want to come swim, and I’d like to be a little more social. I’m adding Polly Allen to the list of names that have full access to the ranch whenever she wants it.”
His eyebrows climb at that. “Full access, sir?”
“Yes. Day or night, she’s to be passed through immediately. No need to check with me first. Program in her license plate so the gate automatically opens for her.”
“I’ll see to it right away. Only you and Jake have full access.”
My eyes are level on Axel’s. “And now Polly.” He nods, and before he can argue further, I say, “That’s all.”
“Sir.” He nods and then walks out of the office.
A few moments later, Jake walks in, all sleepy-eyed and rumpled from bed. He’s in an oversized T-shirt and gray sweats and pads on bare feet to the kitchenette.
“Bagel?” he asks me.
“How about if I make you a real breakfast?”
That makes him eye me as he scratches his scalp through bed-head hair. “What kind of real breakfast?”
“Eggs, bacon, hash browns. Toast. Protein.”
Jake turns to the kitchenette and back to me. “Up here?”
“No, smart ass, in the real kitchen.”
“Sure.” He turns and walks right back out, and it makes me grin. He’s a kid of few words in the morning, but he always finds me so we can have breakfast together.