Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
As he got closer, she moved away, but he was close enough to take in her beauty. With slender curves and a head of shiny red hair that appeared natural, she was bringing out a side of him he hadn’t seen since his dad’s betrayal. Lust shot through Gage’s veins as he imagined what happened once they finally met. If she was genuinely stalking him, he had to say he was tempted to let her catch him. His body craved hers in a way he never expected. In fact, he made the choice to stalk her instead. Psycho or not, he craved to see if she tasted as sinful as she looked.
Gage began following her around the Market Square, staying about ten feet back to surveil her. He should be meeting with the guys right now, but he couldn’t seem to give himself a reason to head toward the restaurant. Unfortunately, the choice was made for him. She got away when a large crowd of drunk spring breakers exited the bar. Yep, she was probably up to no good, but if he saw her again, he’d stop at nothing to get to the bottom of her surveillance of him, and her under the sheets.
Surrendering, he walked back to the cantina and stepped inside where Alex Savage and CJ Royce were sitting down.
“Ah, there you are. No job and still can’t show up on time.”
“Sorry, I got distracted,” he muttered, taking the seat that faced the front windows of the cantina.
CJ’s brows narrowed and lips twisted into a smirk as he repeated, “Distracted? Like a hot-chick distracted?”
“How old are you, sixteen?” Gage overreacted, giving the guys the answer they needed. Internally, Gage had felt a shift in him that resembled his need to drop law and move on to ranching. She sparked life into him with just a simple, light stalking.
“Ah, so it was a woman?” Alex laughed. He knew all about that, having had his heart taken by a woman that he almost lost.
“Fuck you both.” Gage grabbed the menu and grumbled as he looked for something light. His stomach suddenly didn’t feel settled. “I’m ready to order.” He set down his menu with both men looking at him expectantly. “What?”
“Well, who the hell is she? And did you get her number?”
“I have no clue who she is, and no, I didn’t get her number. I lost her in a fucking crowd of drunk shitheads.”
“Drunk at this time? Must be spring breakers.”
“Shit, if I didn’t have to go back in, I’d have a beer or two,” Savage added, sitting back in his chair. The waitress came over after the men put down their menus and took their orders.
“Damn, that’s all you’re getting?” CJ asked Gage after he only ordered a couple of steak tacos.
“You do realize that you need to eat more if you’re going to be working in the sun.” CJ snapped his fingers when he saw Gage wasn’t paying attention. He kept looking out the window. “I said you need to eat more.”
“I get it. I heard you the first time, but I’m not hungry. Besides, I’m not getting shit together for a while. The ranch is set up for the next round of cattle to arrive next week. So thanks for the advice.” Gage had bought more after the auction from a rancher who was selling off his property.
“I know what’s wrong with you. You’re looking for your stalker. I can’t wait to tell Willow about this. She’s been wondering if you were going to end up with the new DA.” Gage’s brows knit together at the idea. He’d had no desire to date someone in his old world.
“No way. I’ve no interest in Monica Santoyo.”
“Well, that’s clear now,” Savage chuckles, shaking his head. Alex and Willow had been dancing around each other until she was nearly killed. Now they are inseparable when he’s not working.
The waitress came back with our drinks. “Your food will be out in a minute, fellas.” She gave Gage a wink, then headed back to the kitchen.
“Hey, what is it? You got that smell going on or something? Are you testing some bull pheromones?” Alex teased his buddy, shaking his head and then taking a drink of his Coke.
“Fuck off. I can’t help that you’re a bunch of old bastards.” All three men were in their thirties, but Gage was the youngest.
“Well, you’re the retired one. So how’s your mama?”
“She’s good. She’s got a boyfriend. He’s the rancher down the road. He’d been eyeing her for the past ten years, but she wouldn’t give him the time of day after my father. She finally caved.”
“About time. Old Fred Willard has been pining for her for years.”
“I can’t believe it.” The guys erupted into a hearty chuckle.
The waitress came over with a large tray and passed out the plates for each of the guys. With Alex wearing his badge and CJ in uniform, they understood that more than likely they didn’t have much time before heading back in, so the service was quicker for them.