Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Was that a hint of jealousy?
“You didn’t say you were staying here tonight.” She gave him a suspicious look.
“Figured I might as well. Then I can take you out for breakfast in the morning without worrying about driving back in.”
“Where do you live?” she asked curiously as he hit the button for their level.
The good thing about knowing everyone around here was when he requested something, like a room next to the lovely Gwen, he got it.
“I live at Sanctuary Ranch.”
“So you are a cowboy.”
He laughed. “No, I live on the ranch but I work for Jensen Security International.”
“Wait. So you really are a bodyguard?”
“Yep.”
“Wow, I thought Isa was joking or something. Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Less dangerous than you’d think. Mostly it’s pretty normal, mundane work. Occasionally things get exciting.”
“Exciting? Not sure your idea of exciting and mine would gel.”
He chuckled. “I was in the Marines Corps for nearly twenty years. I prefer this job. Less regimented. And working for Kent Jensen is good. Sanctuary ranch has been in his family for several generations and his brother, Clint, runs the ranch side of things.”
“Wow, must be a close family.”
“They are. Their sister, Eden, lives on the ranch too. Her fiancé, Zeke works for JSI.”
Gwen fell silent as they reached her door.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Just tired.”
He had a feeling it was more, but he had probably pushed her enough for today.
When the door unlocked, he opened it for her. “Do you mind if I come in?”
She stilled and looked up at him. “You want to come in?”
“I have a special lock I want to put on your door.”
“Oh. Right. Sure.”
He eyed her for a long moment. She strode into the room, putting her handbag down on a chair.
Turning, he shut the door and made sure that it had locked. Then he sat down on another chair.
“Come here, Gwen.”
“I’ve got to go brush my teeth.” She headed toward the bathroom.
“Gwen,” he said more firmly. “Come here.”
She turned and he saw the sparkle of tears in her eyes. It made his heart skip. He hated that she was upset.
“Come here, baby.”
She shook her head.
He held his hand out and just waited.
“I’m fine.” But she took a few steps toward him.
“Course you are,” he murmured. “I never said you weren’t. I’m the one who needs a cuddle.”
“You?” She slid her hand into his, and he drew her over, pulling her into his lap.
“Yep,” he said. “You going to give me a cuddle? Make me feel better?”
“Why do you feel bad?” she whispered, sliding her hands around his neck.
Damn. She was soft and she smelled so lovely.
“Because I hurt your feelings.”
She stilled. Then she drew back to look up at him. “You feel bad for hurting my feelings?”
“Yeah, baby girl. My thoughtlessness hurt you. I don’t like seeing tears in your eyes.”
“I don’t cry,” she huffed.
He placed his hand around the back of her neck, massaging the tightness there. “There’s nothing wrong with crying.”
“Yeah? Do you cry often, cowboy?” she asked.
“Been known to cry a time or two.”
She eyed him like she didn’t believe him.
“I have other ways of getting release, too,” he told her.
“Um, I don’t think I need to know about your sex life.”
He stared down at her in shock, then let out a bark of laughter. “I was talking about going horseback riding. Not any other sort of riding.”
14
Dear. Lord.
Just kill her now. Seriously. Had she really just said that?
“I need the bathroom.” She tried to get off his lap, but he tightened his hold on her, still chuckling.
“You really thought I was talking about sexual release? Darling girl, you have got some imagination on you.”
She sighed. She loved that nickname.
He stopped laughing and gave her a look full of tenderness. He moved his other hand to cup her cheek. “You are so beautiful. You know that?”
She could feel herself growing redder. She squirmed on his lap, unsure what to say. She didn’t think she was beautiful. She looked tired, with bags under her eyes that spoke of years of not getting enough sleep. Crow’s feet had formed around her eyes and her boobs sagged far more than they used to.
But when she looked up into his gorgeous, sexy face, she could almost think that he believed that.
That when he looked at her, he saw someone who was beautiful.
“I’m sorry I hurt you, darling girl,” he told her, running his thumb up and down her cheek. “Truth is, there is nothing more that I’d like than to carry you to that bed, strip you naked, and worship every inch of you. I want to lick at that sweet pussy until you scream my name as you come all over my face. But I’m not the sort of guy that does that on the first date. And I don’t even consider this a first date.”
Did he . . .