Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
She chuckles some more, and eventually, I join in because it’s hard not to when she’s around.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should. It means you’re full of mischief, which you are. Mischief and naughtiness.”
“In that case, thanks.” I wink and add more food to my plate. “You’re a damn good cook, Letty.”
“Thanks. My mom thinks all women should know how to cook because it’s the quickest way to a man’s heart.”
My brows shoot up. “You trying to wiggle your way into my heart?”
“No, but I like to eat, and I figure you do too.”
“Oh, you have no idea how much I like to eat,” I tell her, my gaze holding hers until I’m sure she understands what I’m saying. The blush rising up her chest and neck tells me she does.
“What are you up to today?”
Why does this feel like a morning-after conversation when I have yet to get inside her?
“Church,” she says simply. “It’s Sunday. You should come.”
I shake my head. “I don’t do church, Letty.”
Her brows wrinkle in confusion. “What does that mean, you don’t do church? You do business with a church. You donate to the church. You’re there every day protecting it.”
“Doesn’t mean I personally have a damn thing to do with church or any organized religion. I don’t begrudge you what you believe in, but it’s not for me.”
I’d been to church too many fucking times, burying my brothers in arms. Heard too many fucking platitudes about them being in a better place, that He called his children home.
It's all bullshit to me, and I’ve lost my patience with it over the years.
“You don’t have to believe in God to find belonging and warmth in fellowship.”
“I also don’t need a lecture first thing on a Sunday morning. Thanks for the invite, though.”
She smiles, but there’s a sadness behind it that I don’t like.
“Just think about it. You said some crazy things last night, and I think a morning of reflection could be just what you need.”
I nod. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”
I’m an asshole for lying to her, but for some reason, I don’t want to disappoint her.
“Okay,” she says brightly and stands up, grabbing empty dishes.
“Stop.”
She freezes and stares at me. “What?”
“I’ll clean up. You took care of me and cooked. I’ll handle the clean-up, Church Girl. You go on home and get ready for church. Your mom is probably worried about you.”
Her shoulders relax, and this time, she gives me a real smile, big and bright, showing off two perfect rows of teeth. “Okay. See you there.”
I walk her to the door, and my eyes are glued to her ass because it’s a mighty fine ass, even in slept-in clothes. “Thanks again, Letty.”
She turns to me with a smile, and I close the distance between us, leaving her between me and the door as I lower my lips to hers. She gasps and freezes in one second, and in the next, she’s leaning into me, relaxing into the kiss as her hands sink into my shoulders and biceps.
The way she hangs onto me while I kiss the ever-loving fuck out of her is enough for me to lift her in the air and wrap her legs around my waist and wish the barrier of her panties and my sweats weren’t between us. I grind against her and kiss her until neither of us has any oxygen left in our lungs. None at all.
When I pull back, she blinks until her eyes focus on my face.
“You’re very welcome, Shades.”
I laugh and step back so she can slide down to the floor, and she does, gasping at every muscle she hits on the way down.
“You’re killing me, Church Girl.”
She giggles. “Same. Good thing I’m going to church.”
I laugh. “Good thing you don’t have to confess your dirty thoughts to a priest.”
Her cheeks redden again, and I laugh. “See you later, Shades.”
“Later,” I tell her even though I know there’s no way I’ll be there today, not even knowing how upset she’ll be.
I watch Letty until her car is out of sight, and then I march upstairs to the shower, take my cock in my hand and rub one out, thinking about those incredible curves and that soft skin and what it’ll feel like to make the sassy virgin come all over me.
Chapter Seventeen
Letty
I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but I’m listening to the sermon, and Shades isn’t here. I shouldn’t be disappointed either, but I am. I hoped Shades would at least take a minute to think about showing up for morning service.
Who am I kidding? But a girl can dream, can’t she?
“That was a wonderful service today, Loretta, don’t you think?”
My mom beams a smile at me, invigorated by Pastor Braden’s sermon about forgiveness and acceptance.
“It was wonderful, Mother.”
Pastor Braden is a brilliant speaker, and the way he manages to speak so eloquently about the most simple and basic matters keeps the pews full each week.