Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
“You know I’m right,” he insists.
I glare at him, my stubbornness digging in. “I know no such thing.”
He jerks his chin. “Come on, get your bulbs.”
I let out a huff of annoyance and spin around, heading for a large metal supply cabinet.
Jigsaw doesn’t move or say a word.
I grab a small stepladder and drag it closer to the shelves.
“Demons give me strength,” he mutters behind me. “Why are you being so difficult?” He grabs the stepladder, pushing it aside. “Put that away. I’m standing right here.” He runs his gaze over the shelves. “Which ones?”
I point to the second highest shelf. “The first two white boxes.”
He stretches, his shirt lifting slightly, and easily reaches what I need. “You weren’t reaching this with that itty bitty stepladder.”
A scream of frustration bubbles in my throat—because again, he’s right, I’d still have to be on my tiptoes. “Don’t be smug, Stretch.”
He chuckles, tucks the bulbs against his side, and heads for the stairs.
I slam the cabinet doors shut and hurry to catch him. “I can carry my own bulbs.”
“Too late.”
A growl of frustration bursts out of me.
Jigsaw stops at the bottom of the steps and turns to face me. “You need to get it through your head, if we’re together, I protect you. If you can’t deal with that, tell me now.”
Pain constricts around my throat. “That sounds like an ultimatum.”
“An ultimatum?” He draws out the word as if tasting its absurdity from every angle possible.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jigsaw
The fear rippling over Margot’s face tamps down my annoyance.
She’s afraid I’d leave her?
I don’t think I’ve ever had someone in my life who wanted to keep me this much. It’s unfamiliar but comforting.
And fuck knows she’s out of her mind if she thinks I’d let her go now.
Margot’s stubborn. So am I. This is still so fucking new to me.
“I didn’t mean to make it sound like an ultimatum.” I dial down my dickishness. “I don’t know how to explain it better. If I don’t feel right about a situation, I can’t not protect you. It’s just not who I am.”
“You said you’ve never been in a relationship before.”
Not sure what that has to do with anything. “If I can easily do something for you, why would I stand there and watch you struggle to do it? I’m not an asshole.” I throw my hand out, gesturing to the cabinet.
“I do it all the time,” she argues.
“Cool. When I’m not here, go nuts.”
The corners of her mouth curl up. She’s trying hard not to laugh.
“Glad that’s settled.” Shaking my head, I wave my arm toward the stairs. “Now go up first, so I can stare at your cute ass.”
She lets out an outraged squeal, followed by laughter. “What?”
“You heard me.”
She hurries up the stairs, her heels click-thudding all the way.
The overly floral scent of the funeral home hits me when we reach the main floor. Is the smell always that strong, or do they start pumping in air freshener before a service?
More people are milling around the house now. Margot’s expression switches to smooth and professional in an instant.
I glance down at my outfit—jeans, boots, and T-shirt. I don’t exactly fit in with all the dark suits. “Let me get those light bulbs switched out for you, then I’m going to take off.”
“Thank you.”
I’d also rather not be here when they move the body into the viewing room but that seems disrespectful, so I keep it to myself.
When I’m finished with the bulbs, I store the ladder away and find Margot in the hallway setting out a guest book, prayer cards, and mints on a small table.
“Hey.” I stop next to her. “I’m going to head out. But call me later, when you’re done.”
“This will be long and then we have back-to-back consultations.” She bites her lip. “And I’ll be working all day tomorrow too it looks like.”
Disappointment hits me hard.
Why am I getting so clingy?
The way I just want to be near this woman all the time can’t be normal. “All right,” I answer evenly. “You think you’ll be able to take off next weekend?”
“For the bonfire at the clubhouse? The whole weekend?”
“Yeah.” I shrug. “We can stay over. It’ll probably be busy there all weekend. Or we can take a ride, and I’ll show you Downstate’s clubhouse or my place?”
Her eyes light up and a softer smile curves her lips. “I’d really like that.”
“Good.” I have to at least pretend I don’t want to kidnap her indefinitely. “If you can’t get off the whole weekend—at least Friday night?” Christ, I sound like I’m begging now.
“Okay.” Her whole face scrunches into a frown. “Unless there’s like a mass-casualty pileup on the Thruway or something, Friday won’t be a problem.”
I huff a laugh—then stop. She’s not kidding. “Yeah, of course.”
She casts a quick glance around, then leans up on tiptoes, hooks her arm around my neck and drags me closer. “Thank you.” She brushes a quick kiss against my cheek.