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)
“No, we’ll manage.” Somehow. “But thanks, I appreciate your help.” Without Ronan, the Sea Witch would be in deeper trouble than it already is.
And this has turned incredibly awkward.
“I’ve got to get these names in within the hour or Belinda will kill me.” Grabbing his laptop, he moves for my front door.
“Right. The vise …” On balls that just unloaded inside me. I squeeze my eyes shut, still in shock over how quickly that got out of control. “I’m on the pill,” I blurt, though that’s only half the problem. “And I’m clean.” I got tested as soon as I found out Cody had been cheating on me and haven’t been with anyone since.
“So am I,” Ronan promises, but the tension hasn’t released from his shoulders as he reaches for the doorknob.
“Can you please not tell anyone? About what happened.”
A dark chuckle escapes him. “I promise, you don’t have to worry about that.” With that, he steps out.
And stops dead on the porch.
“Frank!” I smooth a hand through my hair as I spot the looming form standing in the middle of our parking lot. “When did you get home? Ralph didn’t make a sound.” He gives a signature two-crow salute whenever the black truck pulls in.
“About five minutes ago. And yeah, he did.”
That’s impossible. I couldn’t have missed that terrible racket.
Could I have?
Frank’s brooding gaze rolls from Ronan’s untucked dress shirt to me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Needed this.” He holds up a wrench. “I thought you were covering AJ’s shift.”
“I am. I’m heading there right now.”
His gaze drops. “Like that?”
I cross my arms over my chest, hyperaware of the bra I left by the sink. “Right after I change.”
“And I’ve got to get back to work.” Ronan trots down the steps, laptop under his arm, heading for his car.
That is covered in chicken shit.
“Sorry, they do that sometimes.” I wince as he pauses to inspect an especially large dropping on his hood. That had to be Ralph.
With a headshake more to himself, he calls out, “Remember the deal.”
“Huh?”
Peering over his shoulder at me, he meets my gaze, and a thousand different things seem to flitter through those eyes, none of which I can read. “The signs.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, they’ll be down.”
He hesitates. “Good doing business with you.” With a wink, Ronan slides into the driver’s seat. The engine purrs a moment later and then he’s gone, his taillights disappearing around the bend of bramble.
Frank’s arms haven’t uncrossed and now that heavy glare is settled on me. “What kind of business are you doing with the hotel?”
There’s no avoiding this. I may as well confess. “I have an arrangement with Ronan. He won’t hire more Sea Witch staff, and I’ll clean up the property line.”
Frank shakes his head. “I regret asking.”
“We were going to lose seven more people. Seven! We wouldn’t be able to operate like that. Now, it’s only two.” I break the news about Amanda and AJ.
He seems to consider this. “Does Gigi know about this plan you hatched?”
“I told her, yeah.”
“And?”
“She said to take the wins when we can.” Who knows how many more losses are waiting for us down the path.
His lips twist with displeasure. He’s still not convinced.
“Look, Wolf Hotels couldn’t care less if they don’t get these specific hires. But losing them all at once will break us.” I echo Ronan’s rationale.
“Yeah, I don’t like it, but …” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “The signs were the only condition with that guy, right?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure—”
“Yes.” I hold his gaze so he can see the truth in my answer. “Ronan’s actually a good guy.” And fucking me against the wall was not part of the deal.
“I’d make sure none of them find out about this or there might be blowback. It definitely won’t be good for morale.”
“They’re not going to. I’m not telling anyone except you and Gigi.” Not even Rebel and Skye need to know.
With another headshake, he ambles for his truck. “You’re gonna be late for your sail.”
“I’m leaving in three minutes.” I run for the door.
“Hey, Sloane!” Frank calls out.
“Yeah?”
“Your clothes are on inside out.”
43. Ronan
“What the fuck, Ronan.” I navigate my bird-shit-coated car down the lengthy dirt driveway, veering to avoid the worst of the potholes as I berate myself. “What the fuck!” I’ve never lost control like that when it comes to my dick. I’ve never kissed a woman like my lips had to be attached to hers for me to get off. Is this what happens to me after months without getting laid? And even longer without truly enjoying it? I turn into a feral humping two-pump fuckboy? Two-pump may be an exaggeration, though, it isn’t far off. Twenty might be more accurate.
She whispered “Try me” with challenge in her eyes and I snapped.
Then she stripped in record time, and I was a goner.