Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“She makes funnel cakes here? In this fancy spot?” She looks up at the façade with Ms. Minnie’s name in bright lights.
“She makes whatever she likes.” I lead her through the door.
When the scent of powdered sugar hits us, Ruby leans against me. “This is heaven.”
Minnie is in the dining room speaking with a table full of customers, but she comes toward us the minute she sees me.
“Partner!” She strides up and catches me in a bear hug. Minnie is the tallest woman in town, not to mention the strongest. I swear she almost breaks one of my ribs.
“Hi, Minnie.” I groan.
“Partner?” Ruby asks.
“Is this Ms. Ruby Lane?” Minnie releases me then takes Ruby’s hands in hers. “I remember you, little thing. You used to always order double funnel cake.”
“Yes!” Ruby smiles big. “That’s me.”
“I’m glad you’re back in town.” She cuts a look at me. “And I’m certain I’m not the only one.”
I clear my throat.
“And by partner, I mean that this business savvy young man helped me get set up in this fabulous space. A little capital goes a long way.” She smiles, her eyes bright. “Now come on, you two. The best table is waiting.”
Ruby looks at me, confusion and amusement playing across her face as we’re led to a cozy booth in the back near the kitchen. Ruby sits, and then I scoot her in against the wall and sit beside her.
“Get comfy. I’m bringing out the big guns.” Minnie heads to the kitchen, and her booming voice is lost in the sound of pots, pans, and a busy staff.
“This place is packed.” Ruby looks around. “You did this?”
“I saw an opportunity to help someone.”
“You saw an opportunity to help someone?” She stares at me in disbelief. “You? A Lovejoy? You wanted to help someone?”
“That name isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” I thank the server who brings our drinks.
“You aren’t …” She chews her bottom lip.
“You should really let me do that for you.”
“What?”
“This?” I lean over and pull her bottom lip between my teeth.
She gasps, her hands going to my chest as I suck her lip then kiss her again. I’m trying to go slow, to be gentle, but I find myself pressing her against the wall, caging her in. Her heart is racing, and I have to force myself to back off.
“Ruby.” I pull back.
“Yes?” she asks breathily, her eyes heavy-lidded.
Fuck, the things I want to do to her. I don’t care that half the restaurant is staring at us. All I care about is making this woman happy in every way I can. But on that note, I try to backburner my desire for her and see to her needs. “Let’s eat.” I wave to the server, and he drops a basket of fried cheese onto the table.
“Is this a chocolate malt with Oreo cream?” She pulls her drink toward her and takes a sip, then lets out a little moan that sends a blast of heat through me. “It is! And cheese! God, I need this.” She takes a little nugget from the basket and pops it into her mouth. “So hot, so good.”
I push the basket toward her. “Eat up. There’s plenty more where that came from.” As if reading my mind, Minnie sidles up and drops some soft pretzels onto the table with her homemade beer cheese on the side.
“Heaven!” Ruby exclaims.
Minnie winks at her, then returns to the kitchen.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Yes.” I take a piece of pretzel, dip it into the cheese, then offer it to Ruby. “But you first.”
She opens for me, and I slide the food onto her tongue. She closes her mouth a little too quickly, catching my finger between her lips.
My cock surges, and every dirty thought I’ve ever had about this woman tries to surface. “Enjoy it.” My voice is low, almost hoarse, as I pull my finger away.
“It’s good.” She licks her lips as she peers into my eyes. “A lot better than I remember, actually.”
Are we talking about the food or me? I don’t care. Either way, she’s happy, and that’s enough.
She takes a sip of her drink. “What’s happening here, Knox?”
“We’re eating.”
“No.” She washes down the rest of the pretzel and turns back to me. “You and me. The airport and the kissing and the staying at your place. Is this some sort of long game?”
“This isn’t a game, Ruby.” I stroke her hair from her face and tuck it behind her ear.
“I don’t understand.”
“There’s nothing to understand. I want to make you happy.”
She blinks slowly. “Why?”
Because I love you. “Why not?”
“That’s not an answer, Knox, and you know it.” She frowns.
Minnie drops off a basket of the toasted ham and cheese sandwiches that are her mainstay, and Ruby can’t help but reach for one.
“We’re still having this conversation,” she chides. “I just need to taste test this and make sure the recipe is—Oh.” She takes a second bite. “Oh my cupcakes. These are even better than I remember.” She chews as I watch with unfiltered amusement. I love every sound she makes, every little exclamation of pleasure. In fact, I want to hear them all the time, especially when she’s in my bed.