Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Because I can’t stay away.
I don’t want to.
Looking around the restaurant, I know things aren’t going to work out in my favor. Billie is here, and that beautiful redhead that’s been starring in my dreams is nowhere to be found. Disappointment settles in my gut so heavy that it fucking rocks me. Fucking hell, how did this woman get under my skin so deeply? I try to push thoughts of her away as her grandmother comes over to take my order.
“Look what the cat drug in,” she says, plopping the daily special in front of me.
I shake my head, giving half a smile. I don’t know why, but I really like this old woman. She doesn’t gloss over shit and is who she is. I respect her. She’s also sharp as a tack, despite her age. Billie doesn’t need a notepad to take anyone’s order. I’ve seen her take ten orders at once and not get a damn thing wrong.
“Thanks,” I answer, my voice coming out sounding rusty and graveled even to my own ears.
“I like to see a man with a good appetite.” She plants her hands on her hips, waiting for me to decide so she can take my order.
“I’ve been busy. I was here a while back though, and you weren’t,” I comment, handing the menu back to her. Like everyone else, I already know what I want. I usually order the same thing every single time I’m here—that is unless Billie is trying out a new recipe and pushing it on her specials. Then, I go with what she suggests. You don’t refuse her, or she might tell you to get out. That’s just the way she is. The woman definitely has a temper that can’t be rivaled.
“I never take time off,” Billie says, shaking her head. Even though she’s fully in the conversation with me, I can tell she has her eyes and ears on everyone else around us at the same time. Your cup never empties here, at least not for long.
“It was about a month ago,” I tell her, leaning back in my seat, draping my arm across the back of the seat.
“I don’t remember it. I took a few days off around that time. I had some personal stuff going on. I usually get my granddaughter to stand in for me,” she says.
“That’s what Shelby told me,” I say with an appreciative smile. “I was hoping to see her again.” I can’t help it as my eyes scan the kitchen behind the counter, hoping she’s back there somewhere and I just missed her.
Her sweet ass pops into my head. Those damn curves I can’t stop thinking about. Them pretty lips I want to taste.
I’m caught off guard when I get swatted on the head with a menu. Standing up, I tower over the lady, but somehow, I feel chastised like I just got caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
“You get that thought of my Shelbers out of your head,” Billie says, shaking her own.
“What thought?” I ask, frowning over the nickname she used. Shelbers?
“My granddaughter is off limits. She’s had enough trouble in her life,” Billie snaps. Any friendliness I’ve earned from the woman since I’ve been coming here is instantly gone. She’s pointing her finger at me, and I watch her as her words sink in.
“What if it isn’t trouble, I want to offer her?” I grouse, not appreciating her reprimand one damn bit. I’m a grown ass man.
She shoots me a dirty look. Her eyes narrow on me as beady as those of a crow. I’ve never got one of those mean looks from her, so I’m thinking it’s not a good thing. The woman is intimidating for damn sure, and there has never been anyone in my life that could intimidate me. Billie is a different kind of monster though.
“You have trouble written all over you, son.”
“I—”
“And your kind of trouble isn’t what my Shelber’s needs. She’s not for you.”
“Shelbers?” I ask, trying not to take offense to what she’s saying. I’m used to people finding me lacking. At this point in my life, I let it roll off me like water on a duck’s back. I’m going to do whatever the fuck I want regardless.
“That’s my name for her,” Billie explains. “The point is you need to stay away.”
“Why is that? Do you have a problem with me?” I rumble, wondering if I read Billie wrong. Some people take one look at me and make judgments because of my MC cut. Others look at the color of my skin and decide I’m bad news. That I’m not worth the trouble I bring with me.
“Don’t get your knickers twisted. My Shelbers has had it rough, and she doesn’t need any man, but especially one who has heartache written all over him.”