Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“Pancakes?” I ask softly, announcing myself.
He glances over his shoulder, and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, warm and teasing. “Good morning to you too, Einstein. Sleep well?”
I bite back a grin as I step further into the kitchen. “Very well, thanks to you.”
He arches a brow, his smile turning wicked, and I immediately feel heat creep up my neck. Why did I say that?
“You’re welcome,” he replies, voice low and smug.
I roll my eyes and slide onto one of the stools at the counter, pretending my face isn’t currently the color of a tomato. “So, pancakes, huh? I thought you were strictly a burger guy.”
“I’m a lot of things,” he replies cryptically, flipping another pancake with ease before setting the pan aside and moving to stand in front of me. He grabs the syrup bottle, setting it next to the plate of golden, fluffy pancakes. “I figured I’d make you something you like.”
My heart does that little flutter again, and I look up at him, surprised by how much that simple gesture means. “Thank you.”
His eyes soften as he looks at me, his expression so unguarded it makes me want to hold onto the moment forever. “You’re welcome.”
He slides the plate toward me, along with a fork, and I don’t hesitate to dig in. The pancakes are perfect—light, buttery, and dripping with syrup. I let out an involuntary hum of appreciation, and I swear I see Ranger’s lips twitch like he’s holding back a laugh.
“Good?” he asks.
I nod, my mouth full. “Better than the diner’s,” I manage, pointing my fork at him.
“High praise,” he says, smirking.
We lapse into a comfortable silence as I eat, but the quiet doesn’t feel heavy. It’s just… easy, like being with him always seems to be. When I’m halfway through my pancakes, I glance up at him. He’s leaning against the counter across from me, arms crossed, watching me with that quiet intensity that makes my pulse flutter.
“So, what are we doing today?” I ask, trying to sound casual even though my nerves seem to fire up under his gaze.
Ranger tilts his head slightly, as if considering. “I’ve got a little bit of work to do this morning,” he says, his voice low and even. “But after that?” He leans closer, placing his hands on the counter and locking his dark eyes with mine. “I’d like to stay in bed with you all day.”
My heart stutters, and I drop my fork onto the plate with a clatter. “Oh,” I manage, my voice suddenly small.
He grins, clearly pleased with himself, and stands up straight again. “What do you think about that?”
I recover quickly—or at least try to. “Well, that depends. What kind of work are we talking about?” I ask, forcing my voice to sound steady. “Does this ‘work’ have anything to do with my dad?”
His smile fades slightly, and he nods, his expression growing more serious. “Yeah. I need to check in with Dean, make sure there haven’t been any threats.”
“Against my father,” I say softly, pushing my plate aside. “Or against me?”
He exhales, running a hand through his dark hair. “It’s precautionary. Nothing to worry about.”
“But you’re worried,” I point out, watching him carefully.
Ranger doesn’t deny it. Instead, he comes around the counter, stopping in front of me. He rests his hands on the edge of the counter on either side of me, caging me in gently. “It’s my job to worry,” he says, his voice low. “And I’m going to keep you safe, Tory. Always.”
His words hit me straight in the chest, and for a moment, I can’t breathe. He says it so simply, so fiercely, like there’s no question about it. And that’s what Ranger is—steady, unshakable, dependable in a way that I didn’t know I needed.
I look up into his eyes, my voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you.”
He stares at me for a long moment, something unreadable flickering behind his dark eyes. Then he straightens up and takes a step back, his lips curving into a small smile. “Go get dressed. We’ll figure out the rest of the day after I check in with Dean.”
I nod, sliding off the stool and brushing past him to head to my room. But even as I close the door behind me and lean against it, my heart is still pounding.
Stay in bed with me all day.
I press a hand to my chest, feeling the thud of my heartbeat, and let out a slow breath. I don’t know what’s happening between us, not really, but I know one thing—I don’t want it to stop.
I want to hold onto this, whatever this is. I want him.
And for the first time in my life, I think I might be brave enough to admit that.
Chapter 13
Ranger
The safe house is quiet as I head into the small back office, leaving Tory to finish getting ready. I close the door behind me and let out a breath, running a hand through my hair before pulling out my phone to call Dean. The room is sparse—a wooden desk, a single chair, a landline phone that no one uses—but it serves its purpose. I settle into the chair, elbows on the desk as I dial Dean’s number.