Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Her eyes follow my hand, and I’m fascinated when her cheeks redden. “Doesn’t look like you have any problems there, but I won’t complain. More for me.”
She dips a spoon into the soup, and I nearly get a hard-on from the blissful expression on her face when she tastes it. I’m thrilled that my food still brings her pleasure, but now I want to make her face look that way by using my hands, my mouth, and my cock.
“Thorn, this is so next level. So much rich flavor. You really undersold it, calling it a humble meal.” She takes another big spoonful.
“Glad you like it.”
“Have a seat.” She gestures toward the chair closest to her desk. “Unless you need to go?” She sounds like she hopes I can stay, and I’d make the time, even if my staff was waiting for me. As it happens, I can spare at least ten minutes.
“How’s your first day going?” I ask as I sit.
“So far, so good. From everything I’ve seen, it’s going to be easy convincing couples to hold their wedding receptions here, especially with the food on offer.”
“That’s good to hear. Let me know what works for your schedule, and we can prepare a menu tasting for you, so you can speak from experience on all of the items.”
After swallowing another bite of quesadilla, she says, “Wonderful. I’ll be available for that whenever it’s convenient for you.”
“I’ll check the calendar and let you know.” I’m quiet for a minute, letting her eat, before I ask, “How does it feel being back here?” What I really want to ask her is how it feels being back in our lives, but there’s no easy way to word my question.
She looks thoughtful before answering. “It’s definitely strange being back. I never imagined that I would be. But then this Las Vegas is very different from where we grew up, isn’t it?” She gestures at our surroundings, much more opulent than our childhood neighborhood, which could truly be described as humble.
“It is,” I agree. “How did you like living in Atlanta?” As soon as I ask, I wish I hadn’t. I don’t want Lexy thinking about where she’s been; I want her to stay here.
“It was nice. Parts of it.” She shrugs and returns her focus to the food, which is nearly gone.
It’s a conversational dead end, and though there are hundreds of things I’d like to ask her, most of my questions would give away far too much about how I’ve always felt about her. A fresh start will be a better approach.
“Would you like dessert?” I ask, rising from my seat.
Her eyes widen. “Oh, I’ll bet that’s incredible, too, but I probably shouldn’t.” She slides her chair back and lays her hand on her stomach, mimicking my gesture from earlier. “I guess I’d better keep in shape, too.”
I let my eyes skim her body, slowly and obviously this time, unlike the covert glances I’ve been stealing. “Your shape is absolutely perfect.”
Though her cheeks redden again, and I can tell she’s flustered, she doesn’t look away as I smile at her.
Maybe Gage was right. Even though my brother’s laid a claim on her, maybe there’s room for other possibilities.
LEXY
Though I’m more excited than ever about working here at Belle Epoque, it’s hard to focus on my new job after Thorn leaves.
He’s just so … grown up.
And though I see elements of Kai in him, he’s definitely his own man. Not as direct as his older brother, maybe even a bit guarded, but much more charming.
The food he brought really got me in the feels, more than he knows. I’m so flattered that he remembered the lunch the two of us shared, after all these years, and if I’m not mistaken, preparing that exact meal for me today was more than a sentimental gesture.
He’s a flirt. A masterful one.
I can’t help but wonder if he charms everyone like that.
When he made the comment about my body, I had an impulse to tell him that I’m involved with Kai and Gage, but then I remembered that I’m living in a fantasyland, one where I have multiple boyfriends who don’t mind sharing me.
Of course, I know they’re not actually my boyfriends, and none of this is a permanent reality, so I think it’s okay if I flirt back with Thorn. It’d be hard not to.
I just need to keep things honest with each of them. If Thorn continues to flirt, I’ll tell him about Gage. Kai made things obvious the other day, so I’m sure Thorn knows about that, but in case he doesn’t, I’ll talk to him about Kai, too.
What a strange parallel universe I’m living in.
Later in the afternoon, I go back to my room to retrieve the keys Gage gave me. The car that’s parked where he told me to find his looks exactly the same as the car he’d been driving yesterday.