Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
She sucked in a breath, but before she could respond, I placed the bag on her seat and headed out of the plane.
Rose was waiting at the bottom of the steps with a knowing smile. She laughed when I completely ignored her.
After leaving the small airport, Kipton and I rode in the same limo. I went to my parents’ house instead of the guest cabin and crashed in my own room. I explained to the driver—and ultimately Jack and Travis, since I was positive they’d watch the footage from the limo—that I was exhausted and just wanted to be in my own bedroom for the night. Of course, the driver hadn’t given two shits where he dropped me off.
It was just after four when Kipton and I quietly made our way into my parents’ house and up the steps. I walked her to her room, and even though I knew no one would see us if I followed her in, I knew she was exhausted. I gave her a leisurely kiss good night and made my way to my room. I figured I would fall asleep quickly. Instead, I lay there and stared at the ceiling.
How in the hell was I going to navigate the rest of the women now?
Seven thirty was when I got a reply from Dustin.
Dustin: What’s up?
I grabbed my phone from the side table, unplugged it, and sat up. I yawned and shook my head before replying.
Me: I need you to help me figure out a way to date Kipton so no one else figures out. And can you arrange for our first date to be today, at the cabin?
I saw the three little dots come and go for the next two solid minutes before my phone finally rang, and Dustin’s name appeared.
“Hello?”
“Dude, what are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Hunter, you can’t date the host secretly while you’re dating other women.”
“Why not? Kipton and I talked about it.”
Dustin sighed. “Even if Kipton’s on board, do you honestly think she’s going to be okay with you continuing to date the other women? She not only has to watch the dates, she has to talk about them and act all happy. It won’t work.”
“It will work because she knows I don’t have any feelings for those women. Dustin—Kipton is the one.”
He was silent for a moment. “I’m sorry…did you say she’s the one? The one? As in…the one?”
I grinned like a fool. “Yes. The one. I think I’m falling in love with her.”
There was a loud thump on the other end of the line. “Oh my God, dude, you have got to be kidding me!”
“What was that noise?” I asked.
“It was me falling out of my damn bed because I’m shook! Hunter—stop and think.”
“I am thinking.”
“Where are you right now? The guesthouse?”
“No, we got in from Vegas late, and I stayed at my parents’ house.”
He mumbled something under his breath, but I caught a few words that sounded like “bad idea” and “blue balls.” Then, “I’m on my way. Someone needs to talk some sense into you.”
I frowned. “Why don’t you think this will work?”
Rustling sounds came from the other end of the phone and Dustin cursed. “Dammit. I hit my pinky toe! Just…listen to me, Hunter. Don’t do anything until I get there. By the way, will your mom have breakfast?”
“What?” I asked.
“Hey, I need to know these things. Like, should I grab something to eat before I get there, or will she have breakfast cooked?”
I sighed. “I’m sure she’ll have breakfast cooked, and I’ll tell her you’re on your way.”
“Yes! That’s what I wanted to hear. Meanwhile, do not be alone with Kipton. We can’t risk anything happening between the two of you right now.”
When I didn’t reply, Dustin groaned. “Something happened. Dude, did you sleep with her?”
“No!” I quickly said. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”
“This is worse than I thought. I’m on my way.”
The phone went silent, and I pulled it away and stared at it wondering what the hell his problem was. I pushed the blankets off me and headed to the attached bathroom. I needed a cold shower to wake up before I headed downstairs and faced my mother and father…or saw Kipton.
Dustin was wrong. Everything was going to be totally fine.
The moment I walked into the kitchen, four sets of eyes were on me, with one looking everywhere but at me.
“Good morning,” I said with a smile, walking up to give my mother a kiss on the cheek, then Georgiana. “How’re you feeling, Georgiana?”
Returning my smile with one of her own, she answered, “I feel great.”
“That’s awesome!” I replied as I caught Blayze giving me a strange look. Ignoring him, I turned to Kipton.
“Morning, Kip. Sleep good?”
“I didn’t get nearly enough sleep, but I’ve got my coffee to kick start the day.”