Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
“You know I love the holidays as much as you do, but we’ve got a solid month till it’s time to worry about putting lights on the houses.”
“Just something to think about. Maybe we should put fake trees in the windows of the empty houses. The more lights, the better, and—” Jax put a hand over his mug and gave me a funny look. “My cup is full.”
“Oh. Right.”
“You’re turning into an absentminded professor. Something’s going on,” he astutely guessed. “Gem thinks you have boy problems. It’s Rich, huh?”
“That’s—no. I…no. Where would she get that idea?”
“She saw you two in the parking lot of Kolby’s Steak House recently. Dark interior, fine linens, good wine, and candlelight usually signals romance,” he singsonged. “Are you getting back together? If so, how come you didn’t mention it to me?”
“It was dinner, Jax. Only fucking dinner. No minds have been changed,” I blustered, annoyed that we’d started a rumor.
What had I expected? We lived in a fishbowl on the outskirts of a small town where everyone knew your business. If Gem had told Jax I’d had dinner with my ex, half the ranch was probably placing bets on whether we were together again and how soon I’d propose.
“Then why go out with him?”
“Because we’re friends.” I annunciated irritably.
He studied me suspiciously. “You broke up a year ago and suddenly you want to go to dinner and be friends?”
“No, but…” I stared out the kitchen window at the swath of grass wet with morning dew. “He suggested we try being friends with benefits.”
Jax widened his eyes. “No shit? That’s very…un-Tanner-like. Or are you interested?”
“No. I like Rich and I respect him, but I don’t think I can do sex only. Not with someone I care about…who also happens to be an employee. It’s cold and it sounds like trouble.”
Jax furrowed his brow. “If your mind is made up, what’s the problem? Are you having second thoughts?”
“No, of course not,” I assured him.
He regarded me thoughtfully. “Seems like you are, and I see where you’re coming from, but there’s no shame in a friends-with-benefits arrangement. It can be healthy. So many people are in dysfunctional, noncommunicative relationships. Knowing what you’re getting and what you can expect without any emotional baggage would be…an early Christmas gift or something.”
“You sound like a barbarian.”
“Yeah, but I’m a barbarian who shares donuts.” Jax scraped the barstool against the hardwood floor and closed the pink box.
“Thanks. And thanks for checking on me, but don’t worry…I’m fine.”
He stopped at the kitchen side door to pet the dogs. “I know. You always are. But here’s a thought—give yourself permission to have fun once in a while, Tan. All work and no play isn’t good for anyone. If Rich isn’t a good fit, find someone who is.”
He was gone before I could object.
To be honest, it was typical of my brother to come bearing treats, gossip, and a hedonistic approach to a perceived problem.
I didn’t think much of the conversation as I headed to the ranch. I had a busy day that included meetings with distributors. I had to be on my game and ideally, forget about Axel.
We’d have to address the kiss eventually—probably—but not today. Or tomorrow. It wasn’t a big deal.
Really. It wasn’t.
But of course, the first person I ran into on my way to the barn was Axel. And it looked as though he’d been waiting for me. He tipped his hat in greeting and fell into step beside me.
“You’ve been avoiding me. I think that means I fucked up, and if I did…I’m sorry,” he said in a rush, his gaze fixed forward.
I stopped in my tracks and shook my head. “No, you didn’t fuck up.”
“Are you sure? ’Cause—”
“Yes, I’m sure. But…it’s complicated.”
“Not really. It’s just biology.”
That made me laugh. “Just so we’re clear, I have no qualms about kissing a guy. I’m bi.”
“Same here. I’m just a couple of decades out of practice,” he admitted, finally turning to face me.
“Decades?”
He nodded. “We can forget about it if that’s easier, but…I don’t want you to avoid me. I like you, Tanner and…well, I hope I didn’t blow it. That’s all.”
My grin practically split my face in half. “You like me, huh?”
Axel rolled his eyes. “Yeah. I do. I’m not suggesting we…you know…date or anything. I don’t even know what that means, and I’m a single dad with—”
“Hey. It’s okay. You don’t have to explain. I won’t get ideas, but you know what could be fun?”
“Uh…you look a little devious. I’m not sure I want to know.”
“Christmas Town.”
Axel blinked. “No.”
“Yes. Let’s go this weekend.”
He furrowed his brow. “Why?”
“ ’Cause it’s harmless and fun and you can bring your daughter. Kids love Santa.”
“How did a kiss turn into a trip to see Santa?”
I winked. “The world works in mysterious ways. Are you in?”