Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
I moved around the counter, and Sutton came closer to me. “You were told to stay away from me and the store, Jack,” she said. “Why are you here?”
“Are you fucking kidding me? You married this asshole?!”
Sutton nodded. “Yes, Jack. Brody and I are married.”
He looked at the rings on her finger, then back at me. He let out an evil-sounding laugh. “You always did want her. But at least I had her first.”
I smirked. “I don’t think so, Jack.”
Sutton stiffened. I knew it was a cheap shot directed at Jack, one I fucking had to take against him, but it had ricocheted and hit Sutton as well.
His eyes darkened and he clenched his fists. Turning to Sutton, he hissed, “I knew it was a mistake, marrying you. You were a whore then, just like you are now.”
I moved so fast, Jack never saw my fist coming.
Sutton screamed as Jack stumbled back and hit a rack full of clothes, falling to the floor.
“You have five seconds to get out of here or I’m calling the cops,” I said. “You so much as even look in her direction again, I’ll kill you. Do I make myself clear?”
Jack smiled, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. “Threatening me, huh?”
I took another step toward him, and he jumped up. “Kind of like how you’re threatening my wife,” I said. “Your five seconds are up.”
Jack ran the back of his hand over his mouth again, shot a last glare at Sutton, then stomped out the door.
The second it shut, I locked it and headed over to Sutton. “Are you okay?”
She looked up at me and blinked. “You knocked the shit out of him!”
“I wanted to kill him. The second I heard his voice, it took everything inside of me not to put my hands around his neck and choke the life out of the bastard.”
She actually smiled. “Thank you. I think he was waiting for Palmer and Harlee to leave and didn’t realize you were here.”
“Yeah, well, he never was that bright.” We stood there for a few silent moments before I added, “I’m sorry I said that…about having you first.”
A blush moved over her cheeks. “It’s okay. He kind of deserved it.”
“I wasn’t meaning to insult you or anything. I hope you know that.”
She nodded.
“I am glad I was your first, though.”
Sutton bit down on her lower lip, then glanced nervously around the shop. “I need to close out and clean up a bit.”
“I can stay, if there’s anything you need help with.”
“Would you mind breaking down the boxes in the other room? After I close out the till, I can straighten up in there and have the new area ready and open for business tomorrow.”
I glanced toward the back. “What about the loft? Is it ready to go?”
“It is, but I’ve got to be honest, I’m so worried about opening it up to customers.”
“Why?” I asked as Sutton stepped up to the register, typed in a few things, then took out the money drawer.
She looked at me and laughed. “Brody, I’m selling dildos in my store. I don’t know what in the world I was thinking.”
“Who cares? I think you’ll be surprised by how well they do.”
Sutton shrugged and headed toward the back. I paused at the entrance to the short hallway, and she paused halfway to her office. She turned around and asked, “Why did you stop by the store?”
“I wanted to see you.” The words were out before I even had a chance to think about them.
Her eyes widened, and she gifted me with a beautiful smile. “That’s so sweet. I’m glad you did…stop by.”
I nodded. “Me too.”
Our eyes locked for a few moments before she looked down at the drawer in her hands. “I better go take care of this.”
I pointed to the back room. “And I’ll take care of the boxes.”
“Great, thank you.”
Watching her walk into her office, I felt my chest tighten. I jammed my fingers through my hair and headed toward the back room.
Jesus, I was falling more and more in love with Sutton—and I had no fucking clue how to tell her.
After breaking down the last box and tying them all together, I brought them out to the recycle bin. I stepped back into the building as Sutton was shutting off all the lights.
“I’m sorry it’s so late. You look exhausted, Brody.”
“I’m okay. Just glad I have tomorrow off.”
Her face lit up. “Do you? I wasn’t sure how long it would take us to set up the new space, so I wasn’t planning on opening until one tomorrow. Want to grab a pizza and maybe watch a movie together? I mean, unless you’re too tired. I’m a bundle of nerves, and I know I won’t be able to go to sleep right away. Plus, I’m starving.”