Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“Not sure that’s a good idea—”
Whatever he says next is drowned out by her loud gasp and screech, “Talon!”
“See you in a few.” I hang up and follow the motion of her hand waving over her chest.
Pride swells inside at the pink and red scratches surrounding a large purplish mark.
“You have got to stop giving me hickeys.”
“Not gonna happen.” I step around her and turn on the shower, stripping and moving under the spray.
She huffs out, hesitating before joining me. I wash myself, peeking out of the corner of my eye as she mutters and mumbles under the other shower head.
“Baby, come here.”
It’s her turn to ignore me, not even sparing me a glance until I take her washcloth and edge between her legs.
Her breath hitches as I clean her softly. “Wherever you are without me, or whatever you’re doing, I like my mark on you.”
“That’s archaic.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
“I can’t wear any of my bathing suits. And possibly my sports bras.”
“You can wear them with me, which is all that matters.”
She bites her bottom lip, struggling to stay irritated, and my cock hardens again. I drop a quick kiss to her forehead and shut off my shower. “Take your time. I’ll handle your dad.”
She tips up and runs her lips along my neck. “I still love you, even if you belong in the Stone Age.”
I grunt, squeezing her ass before getting out. She watches me intently as I dry and wrap the towel around my waist. “Babe, you keep gawking at me like that and your dad will have to wait outside for a while.”
“I can’t help it, you’re a work of art.”
“Princess—”
“Sorry! I’ll ogle you later when we’re not facing another issue with my family.” She turns back to the stream.
I dress and head to the living room, collecting her clothes and straightening the sofa. A few minutes later, the system alerts that a car is approaching. Both dogs bolt into the room at the sound of newcomers.
I open the door as Sterling pulls into the drive, noticing someone in the passenger seat.
My body tightens at who steps out of the car.
“What the fuck?”
“I tried to warn you,” Sterling defends.
“Is he here?” Willow calls behind me and I turn to shield her from view.
A little tension eases when I see her in one of my MNPD shirts that swallows her and a pair of loose sleep shorts. Her wet hair is tied on top of her head, her face free of make-up except for the shimmer of lip gloss. Fucking gorgeous and completely comfortable.
Which ratchets up my anger at what she’s about to see.
“He’s here and he’s not alone.”
She stops dead. “Please don’t tell me Chase is with him. I’m not ready to face him yet.”
“Wish it was fucking Chase.”
Her eyes crinkle and mouth hitches.
Footsteps sound behind me and I step to the side, watching her face pale and transform into shock.
“Hello, Willow,” Stacy greets with a shaky voice.
The system chimes again, this time Ford and Rowan driving up.
Well, shit. This just got interesting.
24
WILLOW
Rowan slips a glass of wine in front of me, the encouragement of the gesture offering little assurance.
“Stacy, would you like a glass of wine?”
Her polite offer is laced with implication. Mom has been a client at Rendezvous for years, but she is a visitor in Rowan’s home, while I belong here.
“That would be lovely.”
The wine is served and uncomfortable silence resumes. I sip mine numbly, unsure what is happening in the media room, but praying it’s over soon.
“How’s your business? I’ve read some wonderful things about your growth over the last few months.” Mom opens a safe subject.
While Rowan assumes the small talk, I peek over and observe Mom. Her appearance isn’t ragged but not nearly as polished as normal. She’s lost weight and her clothes hang loosely, her make-up is subtle, and her jewelry is basic. The mom I know is an accessory queen. Even a simple outing includes her favorite bangle bracelets and statement earrings.
All of that is missing. She’s wearing her wedding bands and a pair of birthstone studs my dad gave her years ago.
“Rowan, I owe you a long overdue apology for the occurrence in your salon.” At her statement, my eyes fly from their inspection to her face, noting her lips quivering. “We raised our children with respect and manners. Those are values we hold close.”
She could have hauled off and slapped the shit out of me and it would hurt less than her words.
Rowan’s face hardens and she slams her glass on the marble surface with a clink so loud, I expect it to shatter. “Are you inferring Willow acted out of disrespect and rudeness?”
Mom blanches at her suggestion. “No, I didn’t mean it that way.”
“There’s not a way to misinterpret. From what I’ve seen and witnessed in this short time, Willow and Chase are wonderful people, Stacy. You should be apologizing for that whack job of their sister.”