Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 32174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Just like Mr. Sex here, who has already taken a few steps back from me.
“Wow. He’s got to be amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you call someone hot.”
My stomach flutters at her words. They ring true. No, I don’t think I can ever recall a time when I thought a man was hot. Symmetrical, maybe, but he definitely isn’t that. His nose looks like it’s been broken a time or two and a small scar runs across his right cheek.
I wonder if he has more. I take a step towards him, wondering if he’ll let me see. I have no idea why I have the need to know if he has more. It doesn’t make sense. I always have a reason for doing things and thinking things.
“Do you have more scars? Can I see them?”
I hear his intake of breath, and then Elle bursts into giggles.
“Did you just imply you wanted him to get naked?” Elle says through laughter.
The man in front of me clenches his fists, and I wonder if this is another one of those times I’m making someone uncomfortable again.
“I…” I pause to think about it for a second. I didn’t think about him having to undress for me to see more of him, but now I like the idea. I lick my lips.
“Let me talk to him,” Elle says, still giggling.
I clench the phone in my hand for a second before I pull it from my ear. I’m thankful she isn’t here in person, and I instantly feel guilty for that thought. I love my sister, but the idea of her getting this man’s attention, a man I don’t even know, bothers me. That can’t be normal.
I hit speakerphone and let her know she’s good to go.
“Mr. Hart, it’s Elle. We talked on the phone this morning. I just wanted to thank you again for taking the job personally and not handing it off to someone else. I’m told you’re the best.”
“Ms. Barber, the security here is shit. I got in past the alarms completely unnoticed. The doorman didn’t even give me a second look.” His eyes lock on mine again for the first time since I was plastered to his body. “Furthermore, your sister seems to have no fucking problem with a man she doesn’t even know standing in her home.”
The last bit comes out in a yell and makes my eyes widen.
“I’ll call you back.” I click the end button on the phone screen before narrowing my eyes at Mr. Hulk-man over there. Where the Hulk turns green and gets all giant, this guy seems to go all red and appear even larger than his massive self.
“Listen here, Hulk. You can take your incredible body and vacate my home. I won’t be needing your services.”
My face warms a little at the word services.
He takes two steps towards me, crowding my space, a space he didn’t seem to want any part of a little while ago. He lowers himself so we’re nose to nose.
“Sorry, cupcake. Contract’s signed. You’re mine.”
2
Drake
Leaning into her, I catch the smell of sweet sugar. She smells like cakes, and it makes my mouth water. I wonder if she tastes as good as she smells. I’m annoyed that I can’t keep the thought out of my head as I try to concentrate on the situation.
Elle Barber sent an email to us early this week requesting security for her sister. I’d never heard of her, but apparently two of the guys that work for me had, and they let me know right away they would love to take over the case. My partner, Daniel Pinkoski aka Pink, was in the dark like me. But after one of guys Googled her for us, I think Pink may have swallowed his tongue. He hasn’t said a damn word since he saw her picture, and I’m beginning to wonder if he’s in shock.
Seeing Elle didn’t do a thing for me. I was more concerned about why she thought her sister needed security and not her. After all, Elle is the famous former model. I don’t know why models have to be so skinny. Give me a big girl, thick with curves, and I’m a happy man. I want a woman with a little chunk to her. Something soft for me to cuddle against, not that I’ve ever cuddled a woman before. But maybe I’m just describing Zoey, because ever since I laid eyes on her picture, she’s the only thing I’ve been able to see, and thoughts of her in my bed pulled at me as I ran my hands all over her.
Elle sent over a package of information including a picture of Zoey. The second I saw her, I knew this case wasn’t for anyone but me. Fucking gorgeous was all I could think. It took me a good ten minutes of staring at her picture before I moved on to what else was in the file. Emails and screenshots of harassing texts, several complaints filed with the police department stating her apartment had been broken into but nothing was stolen, reports detailing accounts of stalker behavior but with no other witness to give further details.
What had me worried the most was the fear I could hear in Elle’s voice when she told me about what was happening. She’s scared for her sister, and I don’t blame her. The stalker was being more aggressive. What first looked like a little online bulling that I thought might be linked to getting information on something Zoey was working on started to morph into an obsession for whoever was doing this. I’ve seen this before, and things like this never end well, but I’m not going to let that be the case here. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Zoey safe, and from what her sister said, it’s going to be a fight to get Zoey on board with any plans I might have.
I was with the Dallas police department in investigations for five years before joining their SWAT team. After a drug raid one night, when I took a bullet to my knee, I was permanently off the force. I was able to get back about seventy-five percent of the use of my leg, but it wasn’t enough to let me back on the team. So I started a security firm with some friends, and it’s been doing great. The guys on the force send a lot of business my way, and we take on private cases when we can.