Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“While you think about it, I need to call Vanetti.”
“Yeah… that’s a good idea.”
I stepped to the refrigerator and pulled out a diet soda. I held the can up and Nate nodded, so I popped the lid and handed it to him. He closed his eyes and took a swig while waiting for Vanetti to pick up. “It’s me. Did Ricky tell you what happened?”
He listened for a few more seconds before explaining his phone call from Dino. I held my can to my forehead, feeling drained and tired. All I wanted was to fall into bed with Nate, but from his conversation, I wasn’t sure that would happen.
“She’s okay, but she got shot.” Nate met my gaze. “You want to talk to her? She’s right here.” He held out the phone and I took it, setting my soda on the counter.
“Hey there.”
“I can’t believe what happened, but I’m not real clear on how Johnny got you.” I stifled a yawn and limped over to the couch, tugging Nate along with me. We sat down, and I explained the whole thing. Nate listened in, since he didn’t know that part either.
“Good work. You’ve earned every bit of that money. In fact, you should come in tomorrow and I’ll cut you a check.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.”
“I guess, with the job over, Nate can go home now.”
I glanced at Nate. “Uh… yeah… I guess he could. Did you want to talk to him again?”
“Sure.”
I handed the phone over. “Your turn.”
Nate held the phone to his ear, and glanced my way. “Yeah?” He gently rubbed the dirt from my forehead and brushed his thumb across my lips. “Uh… sure. No. I’m staying here tonight.” He shook his head. “Don’t give me that … Yeah? … Whatever. See you tomorrow.”
He put his phone away. “He wants us in his office first thing in the morning.”
“Did you just tell him you were staying the night?”
He chuckled. “Yeah… he said he’d known something was going on between us, and we hadn’t fooled him. But I think he just likes to act like he knows everything.”
My brows rose. “Well, he kind of does.”
Nate stood and tugged me to my feet. “Look at us. We’re a mess.”
I smiled. “Maybe we should take a shower?”
He pulled his shirt out and began to unbutton it, revealing his bullet-proof vest.
“Need some help getting it off?”
He nodded. “I’d appreciate it. My chest is a little sore.”
We got the vest off, along with the t-shirt underneath, and I got a good look at the purple bruise where the bullet had hit him. “Ouch. That looks painful.”
“It is.”
“Should I kiss it better?” I stepped close and gently kissed his bruise. “Anyplace else that needs a kiss?”
“Yeah. Lots of them. But let’s shower first.”
That was all it took for us to head into my bathroom. There were a lot of bruises on both of us, but that didn’t limit the amount of places that needed kissing.
By the time we were done, the water was running cold, but it was easily the best shower I’d ever taken in my life.
∞∞∞
I woke the next morning, cradled against Nate’s chest. My heart expanded, knowing something special was happening between us. It was the start of something new and more exciting than I could have imagined.
“Sen?”
“Hey.”
He inhaled deeply. “I don’t want to get up.”
I chuckled. “Me neither. Will Vanetti be okay if we wait until tomorrow? After yesterday, I think we deserve a day off, right?”
“Ha. If only. No. We’d better get going.”
“I guess so.” I slid out from under him, but he tugged me back down and nuzzled his face against my neck.
“I just need one more kiss… then you can get up.”
That one kiss lasted a little longer than it should have, and it was another half hour before we finally got out of bed.
“Do you think Vanetti will yell at us for being late?” I asked, tugging on my boots.
Nate shrugged. “He can yell all he wants. It was totally worth it.” He sent me that sexy, lop-sided grin that always made my heart flutter, and I had to agree.
I didn’t think I could ever get enough of him. Was I an idiot for falling for a hitman? Maybe… but he was a good guy… not like a real hitman, right? Still, whatever this was, I wouldn’t change it for anything.
Before we left, my phone rang. The caller ID said it was my lawyer, so I quickly answered. “Hello?”
“Serenity! I have some great news for you. Brandon just dropped off the divorce papers. And get this: he signed off on everything. I knew you’d be thrilled, so I had to call.”
“Wow! That’s great. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Of course. I wonder why he changed his mind.”
“Yeah… no kidding. I guess he had a change of heart. So, what’s next?”