Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
I’m silent, and he asks, “What are you thinking?”
I look down at his hand that is still open between us. I suck in a deep breath and slowly move my hand to his. We’re both staring as I let my fingers slide across his palm and then line them up with his. We sit there for a moment, neither one of us moving.
He’s the first to spread his fingers a little, and I let mine slide between until they curl around his. He closes his hand on mine, and I take in the difference between us. His hands are dark, big, and strong. I’m pale in comparison, but it feels good to feel the strength from his touch. I’m the first to move, and I slide my thumb across his. He holds me tighter, and I slowly lift my other hand, placing it on the back of his. King sharply inhales, and I startle my eyes up to his. “Is this okay?”
He croaks, “Yeah, peaches, it’s more than okay.”
As I stroke my fingers across his hand and then trace his fingers, I ask him, “Why do you call me that?”
“Because I think you’re sweet.”
I hold on to his hand as a tremble goes through me. A thousand thoughts are going through my head. He’s my cuddler. I’ve hired him to spend time with me. He’s older than me and not just a little, but a lot. He’s a charmer and knows the right things to say to make me feel comfortable, but I have to remind myself yet again that even though this is all out of the ordinary, it’s not real. This is not a date. And with that thought, I squeeze his hand and then gently pull away. “I should go.”
He sighs, and frustration rolls off him, but he doesn’t try to talk me out of it. “I’ll see you Thursday, then?”
I nod and stand up. “I’ll see you Thursday.”
I walk toward the door, and he’s following me. I could tell him he doesn’t have to walk me out, but I know I’d be wasting my breath. We walk side by side, and both our hands are hanging between us. I can’t help but imagine what it would be like if we were holding hands like a normal couple. And even though I know it can’t happen, I know I’m not going to be able to get it out of my head for the rest of the night.
8
KING
I do my best to blend into the crowd, but I can feel all the eyes on me. My name is well known, but most people don’t usually recognize me because I try to stay out of the public eye as much as possible. But there’s no avoiding it today.
I had to see Haven.
I set up an alert online so if anything goes public with her name, my phone alerts me. I found out about the fashion show this morning, and it took me about two minutes of debate to decide that I couldn’t miss this. I had to see her.
I was at my office, trying to catch up on the last two weeks because my concentration has been on her instead of my work. I was just about to walk out when my brother showed up at the office. I don’t get to see him a whole lot, so I brought him with me, and I’m already starting to regret it.
Holden hits his shoulder into mine. “Remind me again what we’re doing here.”
I’m staring at the stage, and the anticipation builds as I wait to see Haven. “I told you I was busy.”
He clasps his hand onto my shoulder and grips hard. “You’re always busy, big brother.”
I finally look at Holden, and I almost feel guilty until I see the smirk on his face. He likes to bust my balls. “I’m busy? You’re the one traveling the country and living your best life.”
“I’m working,” he explains.
“You play baseball.”
He puts his hands on his hips and gives me a death stare. “It’s work.”
If he can give me shit, I can do the same to him. “Yeah, work, right? You catch a ball.”
His voice lowers. “I’m leading the league in putouts. I’m third in the league for homeruns this season… I do more than catch a ball.”
“Third? You’re slacking, Holden.”
“Fuck you,” he mutters under his breath.
Finally, I smile, letting him know I’m fucking with him. “Yeah, yeah. I know you work hard. Congratulations on the record, little brother. I never miss a game. But I’m not the one you gotta worry about giving you shit. Gabriel is the one all bent out of shape that you’ve missed the last three pickleball tournaments. Your brother knows how much you hate to lose, and I’m pretty sure this is the one sport he can beat you at. You have to show up at least one time.”