Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Damn, that’s good stuff,” Foster says, holding his small shot glass up for another round. Sloane fills him up and offers more to the others. Only Reid and Baker take her up on it.
“What’s the other thing?” Baker asks, tossing back his second shot. “You said Rowan needed two things.”
“Oh.” Sloane plops down on his lap and wiggles her ass to get comfortable. “You need a decoy.”
“A what?” Rowan asks. She furrows her brow and scrunches up her nose, and fuck, it’s cute as hell. Thankfully, it also washes away the tears and sadness that were swimming in her eyes just moments ago.
“Okay, maybe decoy wasn’t the best choice of words. You need a stand-in. A pretend man to keep the sleazy one away from you. Just tell him that you’re dating someone new and to leave you alone.” Sloane smiles, proud of herself.
“Trust me, that won’t stop him. Besides, this pretend stand-in won’t ever be around. Chaz is perceptive. He went through the trouble of finding me. I’m not entirely sure how he did that, and he took a pay cut, giving up his adoring fans and popularity in Los Angeles to come to Nashville. He’s coming here for me. Not because he loves me, but he lost the control he once had over me, and that’s eating at him. He’s not going to be deterred that easily.”
Her tone is defeated, and I hate it. I want the smiling, happy Rowan back. I don’t like her being sad. I tell myself I’d feel this way if any woman or friend were sitting next to me, but if I’m being truthful with myself, I’m not so sure that’s the reason why.
“It’s worth a shot, right? Maybe he’ll back off?” Corie offers.
Rowan shrugs. “Maybe, but I don’t think he will. Honestly, I should start looking for another job. Maybe in a city that doesn’t have a team in the league,” Rowan mutters.
“No,” Corie and Sloane cry out.
“Not yet,” Corie tells her. “Let’s just see how this all shakes out. The guys will be there. You’re not alone anymore, Rowan. You’ve got us, and he won’t touch you,” Corie says, her voice fierce.
My little sister loves with her entire heart. She looks back at her husband, and Knox nods in response. He’s going to do whatever it takes to keep Rowan safe, all from a single look from my sister.
“You have all of us,” I tell her. I continue to draw circles on her knee with my thumb. I know all eyes are on us, on me, but I don’t let that stop me. Her skin… it’s so fucking soft. I don’t think I’ve ever felt skin so similar to silk before.
“You’re starting over again because of him,” Foster tells her. His words are more like a demand, and something tells me it’s not just Rowan’s story he’s thinking about.
“Thank you,” Rowan says. She lifts her head and glances at every one of us.
I watch as her gaze roams around the table until, finally, they land on mine. Her light blue eyes shine with the wetness of her tears, and all I want to do is make it better. I want to take that fear that I see lurking away from her.
“I’ve never had people,” she says. “Not people who were mine. I know that sounds silly.” She smiles shyly. “My foster families, they got paid to let me live with them. Chaz—well, you know how that turned out. His friends were mine by association. I thought at one time they were mine as well, but my life was his. It was his world, and I was just living in it. Moving to Nashville was supposed to be a chance for me to live for myself. My fresh start. My time to make choices and friends and move forward.” She pauses, and I watch as her throat bobs with effort as she swallows.
Why do I have the sudden urge to kiss her?
“Thank you for your kind words and support.”
“Well, you’re welcome,” Baker tells her. “But you have to stop apologizing. We’re your people, after all.” He offers her a wink, and the urge to reach across the table and slap the wink right off his face is strong.
What’s going on?
Why am I acting this way?
Rowan flashes him a watery smile, and I squeeze her hand, needing her eyes on mine. She glances at me, and her gaze softens, as does something inside my chest with that single look.
“You need a break?” I ask, keeping my voice low, just between us. She nods, and I stand, her hand in mine. “Be right back,” I say to our friends, knowing damn well they’re going to have questions—lots of questions that I don’t have answers to.
That doesn’t stop me.
With my hand wrapped around hers, I lead her into the house. Once we’re in the kitchen, I move to the island and turn to face her. I don’t know why I do it, but I grip her hips, lift her on the island, and step between her thighs.