Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“I’ve got to go. It’s something to do with work.” I think. Nerves flutter in my stomach at the idea of seeing Ronan again.
“That’s okay. You go on and do what you’ve gotta do. I’ve gotta prep for my big windfall!” She fishes a folded wad of cash from inside her bra. Gigi has picked up gambling since she moved in here. I’m not sure if I should be worried.
With a kiss on her forehead—and a second one from Frank—I hurry out the door.
A sleek and sporty black BMW is parked in front of my house when I pull in. It reminds me of all the times Henry Wolf’s lackey would roll up my driveway in his luxury sedan to dangle a fat check in our faces. Only this time it isn’t a slimy lawyer waiting for me.
I told myself the entire drive over that I would remain cool—professional—and yet my stomach flips when I spot Ronan lingering over by the vegetable garden we all take turns weeding. Today, he’s wearing black dress pants and a pale blue button-down, the collar unfastened to show off his thick, columnar neck, his sleeves rolled up. It’s a more casual and yet decidedly sexy look. Or maybe it has nothing to do with the clothes and it’s just him that continues to appeal.
Inhaling to steel my nerve, I hop out of my Cherokee. Ralph and the hens flock to me.
“I take it you’re the one who feeds them,” he calls out. Aviators hide those penetrating green eyes, but I can feel them roaming my body. I’m dressed for hauling beach equipment—clingy, black workout shorts, an old cropped tank top made from breezy cotton, my hair scooped up in a clip to keep it off my neck in the growing humidity. There’s even a small tear in my shirt. Not clothes I would normally wear in public, but I was planning on heading straight from Gigi’s to the compound.
Why didn’t I throw on sunglasses too? At least we would be evenly matched, because all I’m thinking about is how much I wish he had kissed me back, and I’m afraid he can read it plain as day.
I clear my throat. These aren’t welcome thoughts. “No. Animals love me.”
“Snow White, huh?” That gorgeous, crooked smile creeps in. “And here I thought you were Ariel.”
“Ariel wasn’t the sea witch. That was her aunt, Ursula.” I close in, but stop short, keeping a healthy distance. That intoxicating cologne is what dragged me into a fog of stupidity last time—the scent of him. I morphed into a dog in heat.
If he notices my abrupt halt, he doesn’t let on. “I seem to remember her having supernatural powers too.”
“You sure know an awful lot about Disney movies.”
“I have a kid sister. She roped me into a lot of things.” The mention of a little sister instantly softens his hard jawline.
“Like what?” I ask.
“You know. Tea parties, makeovers, the usual.”
I think of the little kids who visit Palm Oaks. “Did she ever paint your nails?”
His chuckle resonates deep inside me, stirring need. “More than once. They were hot pink for an entire week my senior year.”
“And you went along with it.”
“Of course. I didn’t give a shit. I’m confident with my sexuality.”
Such a technical word and it sounds so erotic coming from him.
He’s flirting again, and I’m getting drawn in like a bee to honey. What is it with this guy? How does he do it? I came here intent on keeping my guard firmly in place, and yet I abandon it almost immediately when I’m in his vicinity.
I clear my throat, as if that alone can shake this unwanted attraction—a palpable surge of energy coursing through my veins as my body reacts to him, unbidden. “Why are you here?”
Ronan’s lips part, drawing my attention to them as he stalls on his words. God, I can still feel them against mine.
I shift my gaze to the ground, keeping my focus on a lurking Ralph as I wait for an answer.
But instead of words, Ronan heads for his car.
I admire his back while he collects a laptop from his back seat. “I’m approving the seasonal staffing lists today and I want you to review them in case there are other employees of yours applying that you’re not aware of.”
“Seriously?” My voice is laced with shock.
“Inside good?” Shutting his door, he starts moving toward my porch. “I don’t have a lot of time. Belinda will have my balls in a vise if I’m late.”
Having Ronan in my house was certainly not on my bingo card. “Yeah, I guess.” I pick up the pace until I fall into step beside him.
“Rainbow Alley.” He reads out the colorful street sign Frank posted to a tree as we pass the trailers, cutting into an awkward bout of silence.