Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
I’m supposed to be thinking about bloodlines and minimum bids, but all I can do is replay those few moments of eye contact in the diner. The way she looked at me like she wanted to straddle my lap and ride me into next week. My cock turns to stone in my jeans just thinking about her.
Before today, I thought I was immune to this love at first sight bullshit. Turns out, I’m full of shit.
Because one look at that girl and I’m ruined. My body’s on fire, my brain’s short-circuited, and I’m about five seconds from driving around this damn town until I find her. I laugh, because it’s either that or go crazy. How the hell did this happen?
I thought this crap only happened to idiots, or, you know, my little sister. When Maggie’s high school crush moved back home, she fell so fast she didn’t even have time to hit the brakes. I teased her for months. Called it a hormone malfunction. Guess the joke’s on me. Now I get it.
I want my mystery girl more than I want my next breath. I want to claim her, mark her, make her mine.
Fuck. I’ve got it bad.
When my phone buzzes, I’m relieved to have the distraction. I glance at the screen and see a text from Hudson.
Huddie Poo
You’d better bring your A-game tomorrow. All eyes on Thunderbolt. Call if you have questions.
Me
I know how to do my job
I can picture him rolling his eyes as he reads my text.
Huddie Poo
Make sure you do it.
I send him a middle finger emoji and toss my phone on the bed before grabbing The Rolling R Ranch catalog. I glance at Thunderbolt’s page. The horse looks good on paper, but we’ll have to see if he holds up under scrutiny.
I read the highlighted page again. Thunderbolt. Blue-chip genetics, record-breaking speed, and the kind of price tag that makes accountants nervous. According to the catalog, he’s a “once in a generation” stud, but the part that interests me is the scribbled note in Hudson’s handwriting.
“Find out why the owner is desperate to sell. Red flag?”
My phone buzzes again, this time with a FaceTime request from Maggie. The only sibling who’d understand how much I’m floundering. I accept, and her face fills my cracked phone screen, all perfect cheekbones and raised eyebrows.
“Why do you look like you just ate a week-old Hot Pocket?” My sister Mags never opens a call like a normal person. Predictable, I guess.
I groan and wipe a hand down my face. “Do you ever answer the phone with a normal greeting?”
She rolls her eyes, practically drilling a hole through the screen. “Not when you look like shit, big bro.”
I flip her off, because maturity clearly runs in the family. “You’re a real ray of sunshine, Mags.”
“Don’t change the subject. Spill. Why are your panties in a twist?”
I drag a hand through my hair and debate lying. Doesn’t matter. She’ll see right through me. “Saw a girl at the diner and she knocked me on my ass.”
“Literally or figuratively?” Of course, my fucking sister would ask that.
“Figuratively,” I admit, remembering the attitude coming from the gorgeous brunette from across the crowded diner. I bet my mystery woman could’ve literally knocked me on my ass if she chose to. “Hudson called and interrupted me before I could make my move.”
She gasps, all dramatic. “I need all the details.”
“There aren’t any details.” I sit back on the bed. “While I took Dickhead’s call, she left.” Fuck. I sound like a moron. “So I have no idea who she is.”
Maggie’s eyes go huge. “You mean you didn’t even get her name? You just let this goddess walk out the door? Are you concussed?”
I groan and fall back on the bed. “Thanks for the support, Mags.”
She snorts loud enough to rattle my eardrums. “Oh, I’m supporting you, big guy. Supporting you right into therapy if you don’t track your girl down. What did she look like?”
I shut my eyes and picture her. My cock twitches at the memory, stupid bastard that it is. “Gorgeous. Stunning. Long brunette hair. Killer mouth and miles of curves.”
Maggie whistles low. “Damn. You are so gone. I haven’t heard you sound this stupid since Jessica Hargrove in eighth grade.”
I groan and sit back on the gold brocade sofa. “That was hormones. This is… something else altogether,” I finish. My voice comes out gritty, because it’s true. “It’s like I got slammed in the face with a two-by-four labeled DESTINY.”
I can’t believe I’m telling my little sister all this. Fuck. Seeing my soulmate really fried all my goddamn brain circuits. “You don’t even believe in soulmates. You gave me hell when I fell for Todd.”
And the universe is getting revenge on me for it. “I was wrong.” God, muttering those words to my little sister actually hurts. “I’ve never felt anything like this. It’s like my heart recognized her before my brain could even catch up.” I scrub my jaw, my mind racing. “I’ve never felt this kind of rush. One look and I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and drag her back to my bed.”