Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Her eyes trail out to Poppy by the pool, and a shrug pops her shoulders before she adds, “I like her, and I have a good sense about these things. Remember Jessica?”
“Elrod? Yes, you never let me forget.” I start for the door, ready to give my sister the boot.
Patting me on the arm, she laughs. “For good reason, brother.”
“I’m allowed to make mistakes at nineteen.”
“Absolutely. I made enough for both of us when it comes to dating. But now I want to see you happy.” She grins up at me like a Cheshire cat. “And Poppy makes you happy.”
I don’t try to hide it, grinning right back. I’m fucking ecstatic on the inside, but I’m good at holding my cards close to my chest about the current situation. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel bad for keeping secrets from my sister. “She does.”
“Come to dinner this weekend. Mom and Dad will be there. I think she’ll enjoy meeting the family.”
“I’ll talk to her.” I pass her by to open the door and shoot her a cheesy grin. “Thanks for stopping by.”
“Message received. Have fun.” She walks outside, then stops and turns back. “I’m glad you’re back. Not to jinx anything, but it’s good to see you again.”
“You just saw me days ago.”
“No, you, the old you. The guy who’s been missing for a while. It’s good to see you smile.” Walking away, she waves over her head. “See ya.”
“Drive safe.” I close the door and lock it. Turning back to the living room, I spy Poppy. She’s still outside but now standing, taking in the view. Her arms are crossed over her stomach, her gaze directed into the distance.
When I slide open the door to the backyard, I say, “Guess you met my sister.”
She looks over her shoulder and laughs. “Not the way I’d like. You know, with clothes on.”
“It could have been worse. It could have been my parents.”
“True.” Her arms fall to her sides, and she turns toward me as I approach. “Be honest. Was she just being nice?”
“She is nice, but she genuinely liked you. Looked like you got along out here talking.” I’ve wanted to touch her all morning, but since it was a rough start, I kept it light. Now, since we’re alone, I pull her into my arms, enveloping her against me. I kiss her head. When her arms come around me, I feel us falling into each other. As much as it’s been fast to any onlookers, the pace felt right for us.
For me, we’ve picked up where we left off. The reasons I fell in love with her the first time are evident—her laughter and smile, the way she treats me like I’m deserving, our kisses and the connection, the sex and the smart comebacks, her gorgeous lips, and the eyes that mesmerize me—this time around. She’s the complete package as if she was intended for me.
When she kisses my chest and looks up, resting her chin on me, she says, “I was naked when I met Nikki Faris. I will never live this down.”
“At least you have a good story to tell. Isn’t that what life’s about?”
She wriggles free, laughing, and heads toward the house. “I guess it is now.” Another giggle bubbles up. With the door in her hand, she stops to look back. “Coming?”
I chuckle, though I shouldn’t because of the fear in my gut. This feels too good, so right. I’m happy. Don’t I deserve that after all these years?
“Coming,” I reply, worry plaguing me if I let her out of my sight. What if something happens again?
Poppy’s washing her mug in the sink.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say. We can do it later.
“I like a clean kitchen.”
It’s center stage for her profession, so I’ll respect that. I tend to be neat myself. “Hey.” I sit on a barstool in front of her. “Is there anything you want to do today?”
Her grin gives her away. “I know exactly what I want to do with you.” The sexy vixen. She says, “Go grocery shopping.”
“Okay, not what I was expecting.”
Coming around, she kisses my cheek too chastely for my liking. “Why? What were you thinking?” Fucking you on the patio and then maybe over the kitchen island. Going down on you in the shower and then a solid nap.
Fuck. I rub the back of my neck, knowing this hard-on isn’t going down on its own. Do I take care of it privately or let the supermarket take care of it? “Nothing. How much time do you need?”
“I’ll be ready in five.” The supermarket wins this time . . . I shift my dick and follow her into the bedroom, watching her ass. It’s not helping, but it’s a beautiful sight.
Without turning back, she asks, “You going to walk around like that, or do you need some assistance?”