Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“She coming back tonight?”
I shrug. “She’s going to hang out with that guy she met in the elevator. You tell me if your sister is gonna bang him or come home early.” If this Kyle guy turns out to be a dick, I’ll fly home from Alaska to kill him myself.
He checks his watch. “I warned her not to come home before three, if she does at all.”
I frown. “Why?”
“Because I made plans for you.” Connor nods toward the door, where an orange-and-gold lioness stands, painted from head to toe, naked except for a pair of heels, a thong, and pasties.
Becca spots me and her face breaks out in a wide smile.
My dick instantly swells. “You’re kidding me.” How did he manage this?
“Good surprise, right?”
“Yes,” I agree.
“All right, then.” Connor’s hand tightens around the back of my neck. “Maybe now you’ll stop fucking my sister.”
My mouth drops open as I turn to meet his glare.
“You two actually thought I wouldn’t figure it out? Dude, I can sniff out fuckery from a mile away.”
Shit. “Sorry, man. I … it just …” I’m at a loss for words.
“Your dick just fell into her?”
Fuck. I set my beer down and take a step back, forcing my arms to my sides. “Just not the nose. I can’t be on a plane for that many hours with a broken nose.”
Connor’s scowl fades with a chuckle. “Come on. I’m not gonna hit you.”
“Oh, thank God.” He may be easygoing, but those fists would do some real damage. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because Ryan’s been happier than I’ve seen her in a long time.” A rare, serious look passes over his face. “And I knew you’d treat her well.”
“Yeah, of course I would. I mean, I did.”
“I know you did. Just do me one favor and don’t tell her that I know.”
I frown curiously. “Okay?”
“It’s a fun game we have, where she thinks I’m a clueless idiot and I play into it.” Connor slaps my back. “Okay, your lioness awaits. Merry Christmas. See you in the morning. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to wash off all that paint.”
28. Ronan
“Cab’s waiting downstairs,” Connor hollers from the kitchen.
Stuffing my ruined sheets into a trash bag—there’s no way that paint is coming out and I don’t give a shit—I sling my duffel bag over my shoulder and walk out of my room.
Ryan is standing in her doorway in her crab shirt, half asleep, her hair mussed. “I just wanted to say bye.” Her voice has that early-morning scratchiness I love.
“Hey, I was gonna text you.” My unease stirs. “I didn’t think you’d come home last night.”
“It was late. Around four.”
My shoulders sink with relief. Becca left before three, so Ryan wouldn’t have seen or heard anything. Even though we ended things, I don’t ever want to hurt her. “So … last night with Kyle was good?”
Ryan dips her head and smiles shyly. “Yeah. He’s a nice guy.”
“A real prospect?”
“We’ll see.” She reaches up to smooth the wrinkles in my T-shirt. “You’ve gotta go.”
“I do.” Still can’t believe I’m going along with Connor’s harebrained plan. “Keep in touch, and good luck with your exams.”
“You kidding? I have my own condo now. I’m gonna ace them.”
I hesitate and then, dropping my duffel bag, rope an arm around her shoulders and pull her to my chest. “Take care of yourself, and text me anytime you need to talk, or for whatever reason. I’m serious.” I press my lips to the top of her head. Her hair smells like her strawberry shampoo.
“You too.” Her arms tighten around my waist for a moment before she pulls away. “September, Connor?”
“Yup. No parties or boys while I’m away.”
She rolls her eyes.
“We took out the trash. Maria will be here around ten to clean.”
“Oh, by the way, I’m hiring someone to steam-clean the jizz out of the couch, and I’m sending you the bill.”
“There’s no jizz on the couch,” Connor argues.
“You didn’t see what I saw when I came home. Believe me, there’s jizz on that couch,” she counters with a shudder.
“Fine.” Shoving the rest of a banana into his mouth, Connor strolls out the door, hollering, “See you in a few, baby sis.”
I collect my bag. “Stay out of trouble.”
Ryan folds her arms. “I’d say the same to you, but …”
With a wink at her, I trail out the door after Connor.
He slings an arm around my shoulders. “Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?”
I cringe and shove him away. He’s way too loud for this early in the morning. “Don’t make me regret this.”
29. Ronan
One year later, Wolf Cove, Alaska
The O-shaped smoke ring floats upward from my lips and dissipates in the frigid spring night, polluting the otherwise pristine northern air. Another bad habit to add to the lengthy list of stupid decisions I’ve accumulated over the years. I may as well set fire to my wallet for all the money I’ve handed over to good ol’ Marlboro, and that says nothing about the health risks.