Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
He shook his head. “Appreciate it, but I’ve got club business later. Rain check?”
“Absolutely.” Mom beamed. “Clara’s dad doesn’t let just anyone touch his Harley. You’re already ahead.”
I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly strained something. “Mom.”
She just laughed and headed back toward the house.
My dad murmured, “She’s not wrong.”
“Isn’t this the part where you’re supposed to get all protective?” I accused. “Why aren’t you telling him about the rifle you keep in the house? Threatening him with bodily harm? The least you could do is tell him there are lots of acres to bury his body if he hurts me.”
Dad laughed over the rim of his glass of tea. “Don’t worry, kiddo. I’ll keep my eye on him.” His gaze shifted to Ronan, his expression turning serious. “And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll treat my daughter right.”
“I will, sir,” Ronan replied with a respectful nod.
“You better.” Following my mom, he left me standing there with a man who’d somehow charmed both my parents in no time at all.
Acting as though what had just happened was no big deal, Ronan turned back to me. “Show me the maze.”
After he drank his tea in a few gulps, I set the empty glass down where I could grab it later. Then I led him past the first few turns where the decorations were still half done. The corn closed in around us, tall enough to block the outside world. When we reached a dead-end alcove I’d planned for a scare spot, he stopped.
I turned. “This is where the—”
He caught my wrist, tugged me close, and kissed me.
His beard scraped my skin in the best way, one big hand cupping the back of my neck while the other slid to my waist, pulling me flush against him. I made a small, surprised sound, my lips parting on a gasp.
Ronan took full advantage, his tongue sliding into my mouth to tangle with mine. He tasted a little sweet from the tea, and I hummed in appreciation. His kiss made my knees weak, and I gripped the edges of his leather vest to remain steady.
When he finally lifted his head, I was breathless.
“Been thinking about that since you bumped into me at the clubhouse.”
I swallowed, trying to find sass through the haze. “You’re slacking, then. It took you a whole two days to follow through.”
“That sass.” He brushed his thumb against my bottom lip. “You coulda just asked if you wanted me to kiss you sooner.”
I laughed despite myself. “You’re impossible.”
“Yeah.” He kissed me again. “And you like it.”
Before I could drum up a fake protest, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and all the softness left his expression.
He shoved the cell back. “Sorry, gotta go soon.”
There was a lot about the Hounds that Poppy couldn’t share with me when she was falling for Ace, but I knew enough not to ask questions if Ronan wasn’t volunteering answers. “Okay.”
He studied me for a moment before kissing me again. Slower this time. And deeper.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine. “See you soon, baby.”
I watched him walk out of the maze, butterflies swirling in my belly as I pressed my fingers against my tingling lips.
He’d shown up. Tolerated my brother. Helped my dad. Made a good impression on my mom. Kissed me senseless. And let me know he’d be back again.
My answer to Harper’s question about whether I thought Ronan might be the guy for me was well on its way to becoming a resounding yes instead of just maybe.
5
REBEL
When I walked into King’s office, the low rumble of conversation cut off abruptly, every eye shifting toward me. The prez sat behind his heavy oak desk, his face set in its usual stern scowl as he leaned back in his leather chair, his arms crossed over his broad chest. Blaze and Kevlar were sprawled in the chairs directly in front of him. Cross was positioned near the window, leaning casually against the wall, while Echo was sitting at the conference table. Wizard and Ace lounged on the couch in the corner, the former with his sharp gaze focused intently on the screen of his tablet.
Blaze smirked. “Nice of you to join us, Rebel. Had us waiting around so long, I thought Kevlar might just put a bullet in your head the second you got here for dragging him outta bed with his woman.”
Kevlar lifted his head, his gaze cutting toward Blaze. “Fuck off. You’re the one over there pouting like someone kicked your favorite puppy.”
I raised an eyebrow, my gaze meeting Blaze’s directly as I moved farther into the room, leaning against the edge of King’s desk. Since Blaze’s old lady, Courtney, was in California visiting her brother for a few days, the idea of him pouting didn’t seem so far-fetched. I decided to poke the bear anyway. “You know, Blaze, you missed me that bad, coulda just called. Didn’t have to sit around writing poetry about your feelings.”