Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 112762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Brodan rolled his eyes but got up and sat on the stool next to me.
“How’s Monroe?” I avoided his last question, knowing the lovesick fucker could talk for days about his wife. Brodan and I used to have more in common when he was a miserable bastard, but, to be fair, I only had myself to blame for his current happiness.
I might have manipulated him into spending time with Monroe when we first arrived in Ardnoch.
Don’t get me wrong, I wanted happiness for Bro.
But I didn’t understand why he was so smug about his state of romantic imprisonment. If I were the shuddering type, I’d shudder just thinking about it.
Brodan’s brow furrowed. “She’s tired a lot. I’m constantly worried about her. She told me I was mother-henning her this morning. Me?”
“I can see that.”
He shot me a dirty look. “I’ve never mother-henned in my life.”
“I can easily picture you clucking around Monroe. Bugging the shit out of her.”
“You’re in a pleasant mood.”
“Maybe because someone told Monroe that I was worried Sloane couldn’t afford Callie’s martial arts classes.”
Brodan frowned. “Did I relay the information like that? I’m not sure I did. Why is it a problem?”
“Because Sloane handed me my arse today for it.”
“Sloane?” Brodan grinned. I contemplated smacking that grin off his face, but took a pull of the ale Jess put in front of me instead. “Are we talking about the same woman who goes around pissing rainbows and farting roses?”
I narrowed my eyes. “What does that mean?”
“She’s nice to everybody. I can’t imagine her handing you your arse. Though I would’ve liked to have seen it.”
“Point is, you don’t have to tell your wife everything we talk about.”
“She likes to know that there’s a person buried in there.” He patted my arm. “That you actually string words together to form sentences. She never gets to see it for herself.”
“Go fuck yourself,” I replied flatly.
He grinned smugly. “I don’t need to anymore.”
Aye, like the bastard ever needed to before he settled down with Roe. “Brodan.”
At my serious tone, Brodan stopped smiling. “Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. Monroe jumped on the idea. She wants to ease Sloane’s stress, and she likes the idea of you looking out for her best friend.”
Warning bells rang in my head. “I’m not interested in looking out for Sloane.”
“You seem awfully upset that she handed you your arse today,” he observed, eyes glinting.
“I’m upset that I can’t tell you anything. You’re like a gossiping auld fucking woman.”
Brodan snorted. “Aye, you keep telling yourself that.”
“Don’t. You know I’m not interested in Sloane like that, and you better not be filling Roe’s head with that shite.”
His friend sighed. “Of course, I’m not. Just as long as you’re aware that you’re in denial.”
“What does that mean?”
He leaned in so only I could hear. “Why don’t you fuck her and get it over with? You know she’s open to it.”
Heat filled my groin at the mere thought of fucking Sloane Harrow. I knew she wanted me. Even before she’d subtly asked me if I wanted to have “cake” with her at the weekend, I’d caught her looking at me. Had adamantly ignored the way my gut clenched at the invitation in her eyes. Or the way time seemed to stop when she smiled that gorgeous bloody smile. Never seen a smile so sweet but sexy like Sloane Harrow’s. It bothered me I was aware of her. Not merely aware, but … like all the north-seeking poles of my atoms lined up in the same direction whenever she was near, trying to pull me toward her like a magnet. It made no sense. I barely knew her. And I intended to keep it that way.
She was too young, too complicated. Her daughter Callie was a good kid. Something had chased them here. I’d bet my life on it. There was no need for me to mess with a single mother. I didn’t do commitment. Sloane and Callie deserved better.
I glared at my ale. “Talk about her that way again, Brodan, and I’ll send you home to your wife with one fewer testicle.”
My friend choked on a laugh. “No offense meant.”
“She’s not for me.” I cut him a hard warning look.
His expression flattened. “I get it. It was a joke. Sorry.”
Tension rippled between us for a few seconds. I was determined more than ever to keep my distance from Sloane. Get her car fixed and stay out of her life. Except for watching her back when it came to Hoffman. I cleared my throat. “What do you know about Byron Hoffman?”
Brodan went easily with the subject change. “Apparently, Lachlan heard a rumor that Hoffman sexually harassed costars and female members of the crew on several film sets. He didn’t want to grant him membership. These days, that kind of behavior won’t last before someone makes it public. However, until then, his father is a powerful man in Hollywood, and that swayed the other board members. Despite Lachlan’s concerns, they gave him a membership. You having problems with him? Lachlan would like that. Give him reason to oust him.”