Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
She’s younger, a hell of a lot more innocent for the likes of him. He should leave her alone and keep his distance like he has been all along. She’s too good and too pure. Try telling that to the hunger he’s got buried deep inside of him.
Everything changes when someone starts messing with Maeve and her livelihood, Whisked Away. He’s stepping in, taking care of Maeve, and claiming what’s his. Forever.
This over-the-top, protective cowboy is ready to have his woman any way he can. Especially on her knees, calling him daddy and loving her with everything he’s got.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
PROLOGUE
MAEVE
One Month Earlier
“What did I get myself into now?” I mumble the words under my breath as the hostess leads me to the table. I’m on a date. I can’t believe I pulled the trigger. An online dating app lured me in late one night after I heard what JW told his brothers. Yeah, let’s just say it set tonight in motion. I never thought dropping off cinnamon rolls to the big lug along with a few other sweet treats for the Johnson ladies would result in me leaving the ranch as fast as my feet could take me.
“Here’s your table. Can I get you a drink while you wait?” I pull my chair out and take my seat. The palms of my hands are slick with sweat, so I rub them down the fabric of my high-waisted wide-leg turquoise pants. I paired the outfit with woven straw wedges and a floral thin-strapped blouse. The best part of these pants is you can dress them up or down. A band tee with a pair of Chucks, and you’re good to go.
“Yes, an Aperol Spritz. Please and thank you.” The steakhouse here in Arrowleaf is excellent. They have great food and great drinks. They also have amazing desserts, if I do say so myself. Whisked Away supplies them with desserts on a daily basis. Yesterday, it was chocolate cake, chocolate on chocolate and stored in the fridge because there is nothing better than a cold piece of cake on a hot summer day. Today’s special is cheesecake in three flavors—cherry, chocolate marble, and of course plain.
“You’re welcome. Would you like a water as well?” I nod in response, my thoughts a million miles away from where they should be, replaying the reason I’m here in the first place. His words settled in my stomach like a lead weight, making me feel like all his random orders, slight touches, or looks that had me flushing from my cheeks to my chest were nothing but lies. One sentence took it all away. “She’s pretty, makes great cinnamon rolls, but she’s too innocent for me.” All my hopes and dreams of being JW Johnson’s went out like a light. I left the cinnamon rolls and other pastries on the counter and quietly left the ranch. That was two weeks ago. It was also when I took the plunge to create an online dating profile.
You see, Tully, Birdie, and Juni may know how I feel about him, but they don’t know how JW feels about me. I didn’t say a word about what I’d heard. Girl code is one thing, but family is another entirely. Believe me, I understand the concept all too well.
I’m close to my parents and siblings. We eat Sunday dinners together and have a massive group text where we all check in daily. My two older sisters worry more about me than our mom and dad do. They’re currently tracking my location and made sure I knew to text them right away if the vibe was off. I’m what you’d call an ‘oops’ baby. Madison is thirteen years older than me, and Michelle fifteen years. They know what’s going on. Our parents do not. My sisters may be protective, but Dad can be next level, and Mom has no problem showing her claws when necessary.
“Hello there, you must be Maeve. I’m Clayton,” my date says, drawing me out of my stupor. I stand up to greet him, pushing my chair back, and only by sheer luck does it not slide into another table. While I once thought it was a cool deal to have chairs on rollers, I’m now second-guessing the idea entirely with my almost mishap.
“Hi, I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Blond hair, brown eyes, a clean-shaven face, and a smile. Clayton is the exact opposite of JW in every way possible. Polo shirt to JW’s usual cotton shirt, khakis compared to jeans, and loafers whereas the object of my unwanted affection wears boots. I’m already re-thinking this whole date thing while shaking his hand.
No spark.
No tingling.
No clinching my thighs together to relieve an ache.
Nothing.
I take my hand back, slyly rubbing my hand on my pants yet again. Clayton isn’t giving off creep vibes. He’s just not doing anything for me.
“Hi, I’m Debbie, and I’ll be your server tonight,” the waitress says as she places my water and Aperol Spritz on the table. Thankfully breaking the awkward silence between Clayton and me.
“Thank you,” I say.
“What can I get for you?” She’s looking at Clayton, giving me ample time to drink some liquid courage. Michelle and Madison gave me a few pointers to keep the conversation flowing, each of them married with kids and yet living vicariously through their baby sister. All their advice has gone out the window now that we were face to face.