Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 146034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 730(@200wpm)___ 584(@250wpm)___ 487(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 730(@200wpm)___ 584(@250wpm)___ 487(@300wpm)
“I can’t wait,” I said.
Most of the party had filtered out over the last half an hour, and I turned to say my goodbyes to everyone who remained.
Ryder and Caleb and Paisley’s grandfather.
“Take care of that one,” her grandfather said.
“I will,” I promised.
Dakota hugged me tight, her words held so only I could hear. “I’m so happy for you, Savannah. You look…different…and that different looks good on you.”
I nodded because I felt it, too.
Different.
But in the best of ways.
Paisley threw her arms around me, swinging me around the way she did. “Thank you for being here. This was so fun.”
She looked to Ezra. “Don’t worry, I’ll have your babies back to you first thing in the morning. You two enjoy that empty house, but make sure you wrap it up by seven tomorrow because they will be coming through the door right about that time.”
A slight giggle got free, and Ezra pulled me closer and rumbled, “Oh, don’t worry, Paisley, I plan to make good use of that empty house.”
Ezra led me to his truck, the man smirking the entire time. He helped me into the cab, then reached in to buckle me, like I wasn’t perfectly capable.
“I’m liking this spoiling bit,” I told him, my chest so light.
“Have to admit, it didn’t take much for Olivia to convince me to let them spend the night. I have all kinds of ways I intend on spoiling you tonight.”
Tingles raced, and I bit down on my bottom lip to try to contain the need that zipped across my flesh. “You mean like a good night’s sleep? I do have to be at work at six in the morning.” It was purely a tease.
“I wouldn’t plan on it, Savannah.” He let his palm glide up the inside of my thigh, and he stroked the tip of his thumb over the seam of my jeans. I whimpered, and he leaned closer, his words rolling low. “You might have to pull an all-nighter.”
Then he stepped back and shut the door, the audacity of the man chuckling as he rounded the front of the truck while I sat there squirming. He hopped in and pushed the button to start the powerful engine.
“Just how fast does this thing go?” I basically panted it.
A grin pranced all over his lips. “You heard Olivia earlier. You wouldn’t want to have the Sheriff get pulled over now, would you?”
“I’m not sure I’d really mind at this point.”
“Eager girl.”
“I think we already established that’s the way you make me.”
“Then we’d better get you home, baby.”
He took off down the dirt lane going a little faster than was probably prudent, his hand returning to the inside of my thigh.
Running circles.
Dragging up and down.
Barely brushing the hot spot between my legs.
Teasing, teasing, teasing.
It was the longest, best ride of my life.
And I wasn’t sure I was going to make it without combusting right there.
We had just turned onto Manchester in town when his cell rang. He winced when STATION pulled up on the screen. Reluctantly, he pushed the button on his steering wheel to answer. “Hey, Pam, what’s going on?”
“I’m sorry to bother you on a Sunday night, but we had a report of a fire over at the city council building. They got it put out, but I thought you might want to check it out. We aren’t sure, but Xavier mentioned it could be arson. Looks like it started in a wastebasket.”
She seemed to hesitate on the last, like she wasn’t sure she should mention it.
“Shit,” Ezra grumbled, blowing out a sigh and roughing a hand down his face. The mood immediately shifted, and everything in Ezra dampened in concern. “Who’s on the scene?”
“Other than Fire and Paramedic, Samson and Lanie.”
“I need to drop Savannah off at the house really quick, and then I’ll head over there. Tell them not to leave until I talk to them.”
“Okay. Sorry again to bother.”
“You know I would have been upset if you didn’t let me know.”
“Which is the only reason I’m talking to you.” A speck of lightness infiltrated her tone before she murmured, “Be safe.”
“Always.”
Ezra ended the call and his attention drifted to me. This time when he traced his fingers up the inside of my thigh, it was apologetic. “I won’t be long.”
“It’s okay. It’s your job.”
“But I’d rather be with you.” He kept glancing at me as he made the couple quick turns into his neighborhood.
“Me, too, but I understand.”
He pulled into the driveway in front of his house, and he dug into the console and produced a key. “For the front door. I’ll be as fast as I can.”
Leaning over, I set my hand on his cheek and dipped in to quickly peck a kiss to his lips before I pulled back an inch. I lingered for a second, tracing my thumb over the stubble on his jaw. “I’ll be waiting.”