Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
She frowned. “I, ah, wasn’t assuming anything.”
He parked at the curb in front of Kurt’s Koffees, twisted the key, and shut off the engine. Then he turned to fully look at her. “I’m in for these three weeks, darlin’. All the way. You?”
She wasn’t sure she’d survive it. But yeah, she had felt a little insecure and was trying to shore up her defenses in case last night was a one-off. “Yeah. I mean, I am.” She released her seatbelt. “Although we need to sleep.”
“Speak for yourself.” He bent over and kissed her. Right there on the main street of the town, obviously not caring who saw. Of course, she wasn’t staying for long.
Tingles wound through her entire body. “I’ll finish my meeting and head down to your bar afterward, okay? Maybe I could take you to lunch.”
He released her. “I’d love to get lunch, and it’s on me.”
“Aren’t we old-fashioned?” she murmured.
“Yeah. Stay where you are.” He jumped out of the truck and walked around the front to open her door. “Good girl.”
She slapped his chest. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not?” His eyes twinkled.
Because it made her insides go all squishy, and that wasn’t cool. “I’m an independent woman,” she said, smiling.
“Huh. We’ll see about that.” He grasped her at the waist and drew her out, lifting her over the puddle by the curb. “Do you want me to stop by Mrs. Shiller’s and get your things, or do you want to pack them?”
Her knees wobbled and she set her stance to keep from falling over. “Huh?”
“You’re staying with me, right?” His dark brows drew down. “I thought we just decided that.”
She swallowed over a lump in her throat. Would she be able to leave him after staying there for three weeks? It’d be tough. But missing out on three weeks with him? That’d suck. “I’ll pack up later, if you’re sure you want a houseguest.”
“I truly do.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead.
“Hello there, young ones,” Mrs. Hudson said, walking out of the coffee shop. “Aren’t you the cutest couple?”
Bianca wanted to sink into the sidewalk and simply disappear.
Adam smiled. “I think so. It’s nice of you to notice, Mrs. H.”
Mrs. Hudson was all wrapped up in a thick purple coat with matching mittens. “This is lovely. I’ll change your RSVP to my wedding from one person to you having a guest. That’s wonderful. Is the chicken okay for you, Bianca? Or would you rather have the steak?”
Bianca’s mouth opened but no words came out.
“She’d like the steak,” Adam said.
“Perfect.” Mrs. Hudson patted her gray hair and turned, heading down the street.
Bianca watched her go. “When’s the wedding?” She didn’t want to mess up the town’s vibe during a wedding.
“September,” Adam said dryly.
Bianca turned to better face him. “I won’t be here then.”
He shrugged. “It’s okay. Believe me, not arguing with her is the better way to go.”
An odd and very unwelcome jealousy rippled through Bianca. Maybe he’d just have another date by the fall. She wasn’t even going to be here during the summer. “I’ll see you at the bar in a couple of hours.” She turned and headed into Kurt’s Koffees, not looking back.
The warm scent of espresso and toasted pastries instantly surrounded her. The place buzzed with the low murmur of morning conversations and the soft grind of beans behind the counter. Sunlight streamed through the wide front windows, turning the wooden tables a warm honey color and lighting up the chalkboard menu hanging above the register.
Her body still carried the memory of the night before—heat, strength, the way Adam had looked at her like he knew everything about her. He’d touched every inch of her, that was for sure. The thought warmed her and unsettled her at the same time. She could still feel his strong hand banded around her wrists. She glanced down, and her skin was unmarked. Well, the skin on her wrists. Her thighs had a couple of intriguing bruises.
She shook the thought away as she spotted Clancy and Ewan sitting at a table near the back.
Clancy sat back in his chair, one ankle resting on his knee and a tablet open in front of him. His expensive blazer looked wildly out of place among the flannel shirts and denim jackets of the locals. Ewan, by contrast, looked relaxed in a dark sweater and jeans, nursing a mug of coffee while flipping through a printed location list.
She waved and headed their way. Clancy noticed her first. “Look who finally decided to join us,” he said, his voice dripping with faint disapproval. “Nice of you to show up.”
Bianca slid into the empty chair across from them. “Good morning to you, too.”
Ewan glanced between them and lifted one eyebrow.
Clancy tapped his tablet with a manicured finger. “Mrs. Shiller mentioned you didn’t come back to the B&B last night.”