Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
She rolls her eyes so hard I have to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. “I was busy, Ben. Living my own life. Not everyone is required to file a daily briefing with the Foxworth family command center.”
He crosses his arms, lips curling. “It’s been two goddamn weeks.”
“I’ve been goddamn busy,” she snarks back.
“It doesn’t take that long to call and explain that to me,” Ben says, voice silk-wrapped steel. He’s unable to mask the hurt, and I actually feel a little bad for him.
Frankie notices it, too. She blows out a breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t call, but I really have been busy.”
The sibling stare-down is epic. Eventually, Ben turns to me, appraising. There’s a glint of challenge in his eyes, and I meet it head-on.
“You’re Seth Rutherford,” he says. Not a question.
“And you’re the brother I’ve heard so much about,” I say, offering my hand. I decide to save us all some time. “Look. You’re worried about your sister. That’s fair. But she’s not some problem to be managed, and I’m not here to get between the two of you. Unless you make me.” I let that hang in the air, just long enough to see if he’ll bite.
Ben cracks a smile that’s sharp around the edges. “You cut to the point. I like that, but I’ll take you out if you hurt my sister.”
“I would cut my arm off before I hurt her. I love your sister.” No use beating around the bush.
Ben stares into my eyes, searching. “You’re in love with my sister?”
I don’t even blink. “That’s right.” Ben studies me, maybe looking for a sign of weakness or hesitation. “I don’t plan to ever let her go,” I say, and I mean every syllable.
Ben leans against the glass wall, arms folded. “She isn’t going to let you walk all over her,” he tells me like that’s some kind of dealbreaker.
“That’s okay. I’m going to let her walk all over me,” I say, and Frankie snorts loudly.
Ben’s poker face is legendary, but I see the corner of his mouth twitch. “Pussy-whipped motherfucker.” He shakes his head, then turns to Frankie. “And you want this? Are you happy?”
She rolls her eyes, but her voice is warm. “For the first time in years.”
Ben nods slowly and turns back to me. “Okay. I get it. But if you hurt her, I’ll make sure they never find your body.” It’s not a threat, just a fact.
I nod respectfully. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Ben sighs and turns to his sister. “Just don’t disappear on me again. I know Mom and Dad are nightmares, but you’ve got me.”
She’s blinking back tears. I pretend not to notice as I offer, “Would you like to come by our house for dinner tonight?”
Ben checks his watch and shakes his head. “I can’t. I have to get back to Austin by two. Maybe we can arrange a dinner once my schedule clears.”
“You let us know when you have time.” The ball’s in his court now.
CHAPTER 11
FRANKIE
Friday evening, we get home right before sunset. I step inside and dump my bag in the entryway. Seth pauses behind me, keys dangling from his fingers, and breathes in like he’s checking if the air still smells like me. The look on his face is hungry, like he’s fighting the urge to bend me over the nearest flat surface. Again.
“What are our plans for tonight?” Like I even have to ask.
“Fucking like rabbits.” He reaches for me, and I jump right out of his reach.
He chases me through the living room, down the hallway, and into the master suite. I nearly crash into the wall trying to dodge a sneak attack. When I double back, he’s there, catching me around the waist and spinning me until my feet leave the ground. I shriek and wrap my arms around his neck.
The door slams shut with a heavy thud, and I’m airborne for a split second before my back hits the plush expanse of the California King. The mattress swallows me whole, soft but firm. He towers over me now, his shadow swallowing the room, and his eyes are pitch black with hunger. My body betrays me instantly, a molten heat pooling between my thighs, and I can feel my panties getting soaked, clinging to my slick folds like they’re begging for relief.
“You look fucking delicious,” he growls, his voice rough, raw, and dripping with intent. He steps closer, his boots hitting the floor with deliberate purpose, and I swear the room gets ten degrees hotter. His fingers move to the buckle of his belt, and the metallic clink echoes through the air. My breath hitches, my chest rising and falling like I’ve just run a marathon, and my nipples are already hard, pressing against the thin fabric of my bra like they’re trying to escape.