Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
“I feel so bad,” Ezra said in a way that didn’t make it sound like he was either drunk or feeling bad. “I need to get home and lie down.”
“You need to stay in your seat belt.” The officer relaxed slightly and took a step back. “All right then. I’ll let you off with a warning since I can see you’ve got a lot on your hands. You keep focused on the road. Stay safe.”
Beck didn’t move for a moment, watching the officer through the rearview mirror.
“That was okay,” Ezra said, letting out a long breath. “It could have gone way worse.”
His brother was out of practice, or perhaps he’d never had these particular instincts. “No. That went far worse than I expected. He didn’t have a reason to pull me over.”
“You can’t know that.”
The cruiser pulled away and Beck put the car in drive again. “I know I wasn’t driving erratically. I was perfectly steady. He had no reason to pull me over except he wanted to look in the car.”
“Maybe he caught sight of something odd in the back seat,” Ezra offered. “Why else would he want to look in the back?”
He touched the button on his dashboard that connected his phone. “Call Ian Taggart.” While it rang he replied to his brother. “Because he wanted to see if I’m driving you around.”
“Beck, no one knows I’m alive.”
The line picked up. “This is Taggart.”
“Ian, we have a problem.” He took the next exit and headed back to the office.
His session was going to have to wait.
Chapter Fourteen
Kim stood in the doorway watching her son sleep. He wasn’t twisting or turning. He’d pretty much dropped right off after she’d kissed his forehead and turned the lights out.
But then he’d had a big day. He’d been brimming with excitement when she’d picked him up at the kids’ club. He’d introduced her to a bunch of kids that he’d called his new friends, and she’d talked to Kenzie Taggart, who’d told her all about Roman’s day and explained that he’d really liked peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and how could he be six and not know what they are?
Dinner had been more of Roman talking about his new friends and the teachers and how some of the kids were going to a camp soon, and didn’t that sound like fun? Beck had listened intently and then asked about how her reunion with Ariel and River had gone. He’d been patient and attentive. After dinner he’d explained that he and Rob and Jax had made plans for the three ladies to have a spa and lunch day at a swanky hotel where they could spend their entire Sunday catching up and the men would handle all the childcare. The only reason they weren’t going on Saturday was Big Tag’s party, which he’d asked her to attend with him.
It was incredibly thoughtful and yet she could sense something simmering inside him, something dark and needy.
She turned, ready to go to the bedroom he’d assigned her to. It was comfortable, larger than her room in Malta, and it felt incredibly empty.
She wasn’t sure how long she would be able to hold out. How long would it be before she was the one knocking on his door looking for comfort?
She stopped because he was standing at the end of the hall. He’d changed out of the khaki slacks and button-down he’d worn to work. It was obvious he’d taken a shower because his hair was still wet, and all he was wearing was a pair of pajama bottoms.
One of the things she’d always found so fascinating about this man was how he morphed from blandly attractive office guy into the kind of alpha male that would make any woman’s heart skip a beat. It was like the khakis and loafers were some sort of armor he wore, and every layer he peeled back exposed the hard masculinity underneath.
“Is he asleep?”
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to answer that question. If she did, then she owed him time, time that would lead to his bed. Time that would lead to his hands on her and his mouth on her. His body against hers.
God, she wanted him. “Yes. Did you hear anything back from Tag?”
“He’s got a call in to his friend at the DPD.” Those pajama bottoms rode low, exposing his six pack and the notches at his hips. “Hopefully we’ll know something tomorrow. Also I talked to Rob and Jax. We’ll all be together on Saturday at the party. But we’re sending a bodyguard with y’all on Sunday.”
She nodded. She wasn’t going to fight him on protection, despite the fact that she and Ari could take care of themselves and River. At least Ari probably could. She needed to start training again. “All right. Thank you for the spa day. And for bringing Ari and River here. I loved seeing them again. I loved meeting their kids. Roman seemed to get along with Caden and Rio. They’re darling. And Dara is adorable.”