Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
I’d bought it as a reward for getting out of the hospital, but after Brandon’s meltdown, I’d never felt like wearing it… until now. I touched up my makeup and hair before stepping into the living room.
Stone glanced over me with darkening eyes and an appreciative nod. My heart did a little happy skip before it hit me that I was introducing him to my family… as what? My new boyfriend?
Holy hell. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea. “Are you sure you want to come?” His brows rose and I hurried to explain. “Not that I don’t want you there… it’s just that… my family will probably want to know all about you, and you’ll never hear the end of it.”
He snorted. “Oh, I doubt it will be as painful for me as it is for you.”
“Exactly. I didn’t even tell Felicity that you were coming… she’s not expecting you. They’re going to think you’re my boyfriend or something.” Eyes widening, I shook my head. “Maybe you should just… lay low here.” Having my family think that Stone and I were together would be awful.
“Sounds boring. I’d rather come with you. Besides, would it really be so bad if they thought we were together?” He stepped close enough that I could smell his amazing cologne.
“What?” I tried not to let it overcome my reasoning, but it was hard to think with all that masculine perfection staring me in the face. “Yes!” I shook my head, stepping back. “I’ll… I’ll just have to tell them that I’m your bodyguard.”
“My bodyguard?” His brows lifted.
“Yeah. I mean, it’s true. And… I’m working on your case and I have saved your life. That would work. Why else would we have to stay together twenty-four, seven?”
“I like the boyfriend angle better.” He grinned, sending my heart fluttering.
“No, I’m still technically married.” I shook my head. “I’m a PI, you’re my client, we’re working on a sensitive case together. Done.”
He raised a brow. “Did they even like your ex?”
“Oh. Sure. At first, but not since the accident when my psychic ability started happening. Brandon didn’t keep it a secret that it freaked him out. He may have tried to get them to agree with him, but it backfired. They’re on my side.”
His lips curved up. “So… I’m curious. What do they think about that? Do they mind it if you touch them?”
I twisted my lips. “They don’t mind, but that’s because if I saw something about them that could keep them safe, they’d want to know. I mean… it’s not like they run around killing people and hiding the bodies, so there’s nothing like that to hide. Sure, it can get uncomfortable if I see an argument they had, or something stupid they did, but I’ve gotten pretty good at being someone they can trust.”
“That makes sense. Trust is important in any relationship.”
“Exactly.” Was he saying that so I wouldn’t blab about his past? “I’m not going to tell them your secrets.”
He nodded. “I know.”
“Good.” I let out a breath. “It might be a little awkward, since you’re my client, but they’ll warm up. Just… don’t let them get to you, okay?”
He snorted. “Babe, I can take care of myself. You’re the one who’s worried about it.”
From the mischief in his eyes, I could tell he was looking forward to the show, and a knot of worry tightened my stomach. Would he do something to embarrass me? He might, but knowing my family, he would have to get in line.
I slipped on my black leather jacket and grabbed my purse, praying this whole family meeting wouldn’t be too bad. “I’d better text Felicity.”
Stone’s eyes lit up. “Do you have to?”
I smacked him. “Yes.” I pulled out my phone and texted that I was coming after all, and I was bringing my client. I pushed send and hoped she looked at her phone before we got there, or I was going to have a lot of explaining to do.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
We arrived a little late, so I had to park my car across the street from the house. Stone hopped out, and I followed more slowly, mentally preparing to be bombarded with questions.
I automatically reached out to take Stone’s hand, but stopped. He didn’t need protecting at my house, so if I took his hand now, he might get the wrong idea, and that would be a disaster.
Before I could put my hands in my pockets, Stone grabbed my hand.
“What are you doing?” I hissed, trying to discretely tug out of his grip, but he didn’t let go.
“There’s no way I’m letting you say you’re my bodyguard.” He gave me a cocky grin that turned my insides to mush, even while my face went crimson.
“No way,” I argued.
But he just winked and rang the doorbell. Dammit! It would be even weirder if we waited for them to answer. So, I pushed the door open and stepped inside, pulling Stone with me.