Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Devi spooned up some soup, but she swore that she could feel eyes on her. Glancing over, she found Hayes staring at her. He didn’t say anything and his expression didn’t seem to change.
However, she sensed what he was trying to say.
Hmm. Maybe she was telepathic. Although she wasn’t sure she wanted to understand what other people were thinking.
Anyway, she just knew he was watching to make sure that she tested the soup before eating it.
Devi hesitated for a moment. She really considered defying him. What could he do?
Nothing.
But there was something inside her telling her to be a good girl. A huff of air escaped her and she pressed her upper lip to the creamy soup, testing it.
Perfect.
She ate the mouthful.
Delicious.
There was something wrong with him.
Why couldn’t he keep his gaze off the girl? She was nothing to him. Yet, he kept gazing over at her, watching as she ate the soup quickly, as though she was worried it might disappear.
Why was she so hungry?
When was the last time she’d eaten? Was she skipping meals?
She was quite tall for a woman and thin. May had had abundant curves and she’d barely topped five foot. She’d often complained about her height and the fact that she could never reach anything without a stool.
He’d loved all her curves, her wide hips and bouncy ass.
Devi was all sharp angles. But perhaps that was because she didn’t eat enough. Not that he was comparing them.
He didn’t care. She was literally no one to him. He’d hopefully be going back to Sanctuary Ranch in Montana. Then on to a new job with new people.
She’d be carrying on with her life.
And yet he still felt irritated by the fact that she was obviously starving.
Why? She worked two jobs. Something else that annoyed him.
There was something wrong with him. He’d left Donovan guarding both Sondra and Alan to come here and relax. To try and get rid of the irritation riding him.
And all he’d done was increase his agitation.
Thanks to this girl.
She got up and grabbed her plate, rushing it into the kitchen. He held back a wince. He really didn’t think she should be running around with things in her hands. She had proven to be rather clumsy and she could easily trip and fall.
Again, not your business.
Hayes nursed his single beer as she reappeared and started serving the patrons in the small bar. It was run down, but clean and it didn’t smell.
He’d thought it might be quiet especially on a Wednesday night, but as he sat there, more and more people appeared. And Devi seemed to know the name of everyone.
Good memory for names and faces.
She was also nosy which probably helped. No doubt people confessed a number of things to her while she worked.
Hayes wasn’t sure how he felt about her knowing why he was here. Then again, it wasn’t exactly a secret.
However, he didn’t want her figuring out anything more.
And not just because it wasn’t her business. Sometimes knowing too much could be dangerous.
And he didn’t like the idea of this girl being in danger.
She was too sweet. Too innocent. He watched her rush around, delivering drinks and food with a smile for everyone. She lit up the rundown tavern. She’d had one accident and about three near misses. Which seemed to be a minor miracle for her.
He finished his beer, grimacing since it was now warm.
“Want another?” the old bartender asked him. He looked to be in his late sixties with a long, gray beard and thinning hair. He might be older, but he still appeared fit. And he’d been watching Hayes ever since he’d spoken to Devi.
That had been stupid. He should have just stayed away from her. Hell, when he’d realized that she was here he should have walked back out the door.
But he did like to torture himself.
And watching her stumble around without interfering was . . . painful.
“No thanks.” He put down a bill that more than covered the beer and tip.
“I’ll get your change,” Mac said.
“Don’t bother. Give it to her as a tip.” He nodded over at Devi.
For fuck’s sake.
What was he doing?
It was just because he was worried about her state of finances. That was all. Nothing more.
Her clothes were clearly worn and hung off her frame. Her shoes were scuffed and old. And she was working two jobs yet didn’t seem to be eating enough.
He’d do the same for anyone.
No, you wouldn’t. You haven’t cared about anyone this much since May.
Which is exactly why he had to stay away.
“You interested in Devi?” the old man asked bluntly.
Hayes met his gaze, letting the other man see the coldness in his eyes. The emptiness.
He knew it was there, he saw it every morning when he looked in the mirror. He made himself look. It wasn’t easy, but it was a penance.