Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“I wasn’t flirting.”
She chortles. Loudly. “You so were! All winks and smirks.” She giggles. “I think someone is crushing on Kenni.”
Crushing. Fuck, I’m obsessed.
Before I have to try to deny her claim, I’m slamming on my brakes when a person runs out in front of my SUV. I didn’t catch who it was, it’s too dark, but then I let out a long curse just as Sebastian Wilkins, Noelle Matthews, and fuck, Kenni run after the person I almost hit.
“Dean! Are you okay?”
“Let me call you back,” I say, hanging up on my sister before I’m out of the SUV and rushing around to follow everyone. Seb is yelling for his dad, who is hauling ass. Noelle is calling out more softly, while Kenni is trying to keep up. I know I’m faster than all of them, so I put on the gas and close in on Big Seb as he heads toward the forest. I cut him off, and he goes still, his eyes wild and his face bright red. I don’t have to ask to know he’s confused.
It’s all over his weathered face. Like me, Big Seb is a large man, terrifying, but I don’t stand down. I throw my palms up and try to hold his gaze like I would a spooked horse. Thank God for all those summers at my great-uncle’s ranch. I swallow hard and ignore everyone calling my name as I take a step forward. “Big Seb, it’s Dean Moo—” I don’t get my full name out before his fist connects with my mouth. My head whips back as pain explodes in my mouth, but I hold my ground and take hold of his wrists. The metallic taste of blood assaults me, but I hold him tight.
“Get the fuck away from me! They’re after me!”
Seb comes up behind his father and wraps him in a bear hug with a grunt. I continue to hold his wrists as I calmly say, “It’s okay, Big Seb. Breathe, buddy.” I’m trying, but he’s deep in an episode.
“Dad. Cut it out. I’m here. Breathe. No one is coming for you.” Seb’s voice is tight and rough, the emotion thick.
Noelle comes sliding between Big Seb and me before I can stop her. I try to say her name, but she’s already reaching for him, cupping his face. Tears are running down her cheeks, but she is fully focused on the old man.
“Noelle, get the fuck away from him,” Sebastian bites out, his brown eyes just as wild as his father’s. “What the fuck is your deal? This isn’t even your problem.”
“Everyone, calm down,” Kenni pleads, but no one listens to her.
Noelle moves in, rubbing her thumbs along Big Seb’s cheeks. She’s on her tippy-toes, her body vibrating as she whispers, “Big Seb, look at me.” He looks down at her, his nostrils flaring as he takes deep breaths. “It’s okay. Hey. Hey,” she says with a wide smile. “There you are.”
I watch Big Seb’s eyes turn glassy as he looks down at Noelle, his chest still rising and falling quickly. “Noelle? Honey?”
“Hey,” she says again, pushing away my hands and then Sebastian’s. “It’s okay. I’m here.”
She wraps her arms around him, and he hugs her close to him, his body trembling with emotion. I look away, my heart clenching in my chest as I wipe my mouth before wiping my hand on my pants.
A soft hand catches my wrist, and Kenni steps before me, her brows pulled in tight. “Dean, are you okay?”
I feel eyes move to me, but I wave her off. “I’m fine.”
“Dean?” Big Seb asks, and I flash him a wide grin.
“Hey, you okay?”
“Did I hit you?”
“Sure did, but don’t worry, I’m sure I deserved it for something I did when I was younger.”
Big Seb grins, shaking his head. “No, you weren’t the problem, but that sister of yours was.”
I grin. “I’ll take her lick, then.”
Seb grimaces. “I’m sorry—”
“It’s fine,” I insist as my eyes fall on his son. Sebastian is looking anywhere but at where his father is clutching Noelle. Sebastian’s eyes are glassy, his posture stiff and totally standoffish. No kid likes seeing their parent struggle.
“Come on, Big Seb. Let’s go on in and get you settled with a Western,” Noelle suggests as she loops her arm through his.
Big Seb agrees, but Sebastian stops them. “I can take care of him.”
“I know,” Noelle says, her voice low and soft, like a little Christmas fairy. “But I want to help.”
Sebastian’s hands clench at his sides, but then we’re all moving toward the house. The silence is tense, but Noelle doesn’t stop reassuring Big Seb. I knew they had a good relationship, but I didn’t know they were this close. One thing is for sure, Sebastian is not a fan of their bond.
Kenni walks beside me, and I swear I can feel the heat off her body. She’s breathing hard, her little pink tank barely covering her chest from where she was hauling ass after everyone. I glance over at her because I forgot my gentleman card in my SUV and take in her sun-kissed skin and the curve of her beautiful breasts. With a gruffness to my voice, I say, “Your boobs are about to fall out of your shirt.”