Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Completely my pleasure,” he said and sat there staring at me. “Happy birthday.”
“It’s been a good birthday.” My heart made me say it just in case I never saw him again. I cast one last glance then shut the door behind me.
Dash stayed parked on the road until I was at the back door of the house. The wait seemed purposeful. With a quick look over my shoulder, I waved before slipping inside. I knew he couldn’t see me, and I couldn’t see him inside the car, but tonight mattered in a big, big way. Maybe my secrets weren’t as awful as I thought they were. The relief was staggering if not a bit premature. Time would tell.
After the best night of my life, I took the main roads back to the resort without even considering the repercussions. Heck, I didn’t even remember much of the ride home. Beau hijacked every one of my thoughts, leaving silly grin in on my face.
From the way he tilted his head when he smiled, to that slightly bow-legged walk he had—I’d call it a strut—to the way his fingers felt as he touched my skin… My body tightened painfully. Unmanageable need coursed through me. I needed an outlet that only he could solve.
I nipped at my lower lip as tingles ran like a free-for-all all over me.
Man, the dreams I’d have tonight.
My smile brightened in anticipation as I parked in a reserved spot and took the private elevator up to the penthouse suites. I could whistle a cheerful little tune as I watched the call numbers above the doors rise. Absently, I tucked my hands inside my pockets.
The crazy emotion Beau elicited inside me failed to dissipate. I never wanted it to end. Only to mature in a way that made both of us happy.
The story of our lives played inside my head. I wanted him to be my date to senior prom, and I’d be his date when the time came. He’d be at my graduation and me at his. My plans for my gap year changed. No more traveling the world. I’d spend it in Sea Springs with Beau then go on to college only a year before him. My family’s long-standing relationship with SMU could help him be admitted. By then, we’d have enough time under our belts to live together as we finished university. From there, anything might happen.
I smiled at the fantastic plan. The elevator doors opened as the images of us together played out through the various stages of our lives. I walked the short hall to our suite. On each side of the building, there were two private sets of rooms and entrances. We share a floor with my oldest brother’s family, Joy’s father.
Quietly and methodically, I turned the doorknob and opened the door to be greeted with a dark main living area. That surprised me. I was fifteen minutes late. Back at home, I’d have Amelia waiting up for me…
Another hard truth shot through me. My parents never waited up. It was Amelia there for me every single time.
With more attitude than necessary, I tossed Joy’s keys on the closest credenza and made my way to my room. The lamp lights initiated before the bedroom door fully opened.
A coldness tried to creep against my warmth as more truths of my life revealed themselves. I took my phone and sat on the end of the bed. More than anything else, I wanted to call Beau, talk to him until the sun rose, but how did that play out if I read all the signs wrong?
The cold turned colder, eating away at my good mood.
Well, hell. As a rule, I didn’t allow myself to curse, but it seemed appropriate here. How had I let tonight end without firming things up between us? Not even a let’s see each other again commitment.
My heart began a slow, steady thump of uncertainty.
I should call him right now to correct my error.
Pure adrenaline had me getting to my feet, taking a quick look over my shoulder at the alarm clock on the nightstand. Twelve twenty in the morning. Defeat had me taking my seat on the bed again. My eyelids closed. His image was right there waiting for me. This time I remembered the way he looked at me as he bent down to thank me before he shut the door. The backward ball cap framed his face perfectly.
In my recollection, I noticed something I’d missed at the time. He was aroused. In the tight fit of his Wranglers, I saw the evidence outlined.
How hadn’t that been my only focus?
Because I liked him a whole lot more than just physically.
My decision was made, I was going back.
First, I went to my window. If Beau crawled out of them, maybe I could too. It seemed romantic to scale the walls to be with the guy that I thought I loved.