Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Jo walked over with a mug of something steaming—coffee with a shot of whiskey, he’d bet money on it—and she chuckled. “Ladies, how about we promise now to help the poor abused prospect so he’s not stuck putting everything away on his own after Christmas?”
“I’m in,” Olivia called.
Brooke nodded. “Me too. We got your back, Frost.”
Right. So they said now. Come January, and they’d all be mysteriously busy.
“Hey!” Tracker stood near the entrance to the kitchen with his hands on his hips. “You troublemakers better not be plotting to make the prospect’s life easier.”
“Who us?” Jo asked her man in an overly sugary voice.
“Yes, you, troublemaker.” Tracker walked over, snagged his woman around the waist, and laid one on her. “You don’t wanna end up on the naughty list.”
“Hmm… pretty sure I do want exactly that.”
“Get it, girl,” Olivia yelled.
Frost rolled his eyes. What was supposed to be a club full of badasses ended up being a group of lovesick puppy dogs. “Fucking whipped,” he muttered.
“Heard that,” Tracker said, flipping him off.
“Wow.”
The soft, exhaled word behind him had Frost whipping around. Rachel stood near the door looking fucking edible in a thin beige sweater that hugged her body, tight jeans, and brown ankle boots. Her gorgeous curls hung down her back, giving her a tousled just-out-of-bed look.
And it fucking did things to him.
His dick did a little dance at the sight of her.
It’d been a long time since Frost slept with a woman. His hand had become his best friend over the past few years. Sex required at least some level of being friendly with another person, and he’d pulled away from almost everyone.
But with Rachel standing there looking adorably uncertain, he couldn’t help but want to see exactly what she looked like when she came. When he made her come.
“Hey, Rachel.” He walked over but didn’t touch her. After talking with her the other night, he wouldn’t crowd her personal space.
“Hi. Hope I’m not late.”
“Nope. We’re just gearing up to do whatever these crazy ladies have in store for us. Come over, let me introduce you.” He guided her over to where Brooke, Liv, and Jo stood side by side like the welcoming committee. Or the firing squad. “Ladies, this is Rachel, Curly’s sister. Rach, this is Jo, Liv, and Brooke. They’re all crazy as hell, but they’ll make you feel welcome.”
“Oh. My. God,” Liv said with a wide, cheesy grin. “Jack Frost, that is the most words I’ve heard you string together at one time since I’ve met you.”
“Seriously.” Jo stared at him slack-jawed. “Rachel, you’re a miracle worker. Usually, this guy is just grunts, nods, and shrugs. I don’t think I could have picked his voice out of a line-up. But now…” Her grin said it all. He’d fucked himself. Now the ol’ lady crew would expect him to chat them up all the damn time.
Rachel chuckled. “Happy to help.”
Well, if his being in the hot seat was going to make her smile like that, he could take a little fire.
“And so nice to meet you all.”
“Rachel, I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet you.” Brooke didn’t bother with a handshake or polite wave. She shoved forward and drew Rachel in for a hug.
Frost tensed, but as Rachel just said, “Oh, wow,” and returned the hug, he relaxed. Her unease didn’t seem to extend to women. Only men.
He wanted more of Rachel’s story. Enough to give him the name and address of the man who hurt her. The man he’d like to kill. A little early Christmas present for himself.
“I’m Curly’s ol’ lady,” Brooke said.
“Oh, my God. Yes, he mentioned you a lot.” Rachel gave Brooke a nervous smile. “Sorry, there have been so many new names and faces, it’s hard to keep them all straight.”
“I can’t even imagine. You must be so overwhelmed.” Brooke released her and stepped back. “I’m so excited to get to know you. And you should know, so is Curly. He’s over the moon to have a sister.”
The news seemed to bolster Rachel’s confidence. She stood a little taller and her grin grew.
“So where are you staying?” Olivia asked.
“Yes! Thanks for reminding me, Liv.” Brooke patted her friend on the arm. “I wanted to let you know you could stay with us. Save the hotel money. We’d love to have you.”
“Oh, thank—”
“And how long are you staying for?” Jo piped in. “Because if it’s a while, which I think it should be, you could take one of the empty apartments in the barn.”
“Oh, uh—”
“Ooh,” Olivia said, bouncing on the balls of her booted feet. “That’s a fantastic idea. I stayed there for a few months. It’s cute and cozy.”
“I’ll have to—”
“Curly already said he’d love for you to stay through the holidays if you don’t need to get back for work.”