Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 166(@300wpm)
“You wanna call dibs?” Daniella asked curiously.
I turned and stared at her, deadpan. “I have zero interest in men.”
“Same here,” Cherish added, her tone dry as she kept her eyes on the road. “Plus, none of them look like they manscape.”
“Same,” Cherish added dryly, keeping her eyes on the road. “Plus, none of them look like they manscape.”
Daniella gasped in mock horror. “Manscape?”
“Yeah. It’s like going to a fancy restaurant, getting your food, and then finding a hair in it. I’m not willingly putting myself through that,” my sister explained.
I bit my lip to stifle a laugh, my mind wandering right to Wilder.
He always kept himself together down there. Not barren or anything, but it wasn’t a jungle I had to battle when his dick was down my throat.
Daniella sighed dramatically, pulling me from my thoughts. “I’m just saying, a little road trip romance never hurt anyone.”
“Yeah, except for the fact that this is supposed to be a girls’ trip. You know, bonding, relaxation—not scoping out guys or riding them.”
“I’ve said my piece,” my sister stated.
“I bet at least one of them is surprisingly well-kept. Like, diamond-in-the-rough vibes.”
Cherish laughed and hit her signal for our exit. The gas station came into view as soon as she took the next right off the ramp. It was a small, run-down place with only a couple of pumps and a convenience store that looked like it hadn’t been updated since the early 90s.
“Cue horror movie intro,” Daniella mumbled.
“Don’t jinx us,” I chastised playfully, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
I actually kinda agreed, though. The bright sun didn’t do much to ease the creeping unease that settled over me as we pulled into the lot. The place felt unnaturally quiet. It was no surprise there weren’t card readers, and you had to pay inside.
Everyone climbed out, stretching and shaking off the hours of driving. Liza rounded the Jeep, her long blonde curls catching the sunlight as she called out, “We’re grabbing snacks. Anyone need anything?”
“I’ll take a brisk tea if they have it,” I replied, clipping Moose’s lead onto his thick collar. He hopped out of the car eagerly, sniffing at the air with his stubby tail wagging. “I’m taking him around back.”
“I’ll get your tea,” Cherish said as she lifted her shades, scanning the lot briefly before heading toward the store with Daniella and Liza.
Naija went to join them, pausing long enough to throw a pointed look at Gabe, who was leaning lazily against Liza’s car. “Don’t start anything with anyone.”
His thin lips curved into a grin. “What could I possibly start, Naj?”
She said something under her breath, giving him some side-eye before heading inside with the others. I shook my head, tugging Moose’s leash and heading for the side of the building. Tiny grains of asphalt crunched underfoot, and for a moment, I let myself focus on the sound, trying to shake the strange vibe that clung to the place.
“Autumn?” a voice called out, making me jump. I turned quickly to find Ryan walking toward me, his hoodie pulled up, hands stuffed in his pockets.
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on people?”
He grinned, and a dimple appeared on his left cheek. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
His dark brown eyes shifted toward the edge of the building, scanning the area. “Not the best place to hang out alone, though.”
“I’m not alone. I’ve got Moose, and he’s a better judge of people than I am.”
He chuckled, glancing at my rottie, who was sniffing a stretch of grass near the edge of the building. “He seems solid, but I’d feel better sticking around. You never know with places like this.”
I blinked, caught off guard by the quiet sincerity in his voice. “That’s… sweet of you, but I’m fine.”
“Still,” he said, leaning casually against the side of the building, his broad shoulders relaxed but his eyes watchful. “Doesn’t hurt to be careful.”
I sighed, shaking my head but appreciating the gesture. Ryan had always been friendly anytime our paths crossed, and while Wilder might have been the most beautiful man that I’d ever laid eyes on, Ryan wasn’t hard to look at. I didn’t want his interest though.
Moose suddenly froze, his body stiffening as a low growl rumbled in his throat. I followed his gaze and saw a girl stepping out from the opposite side of the building. I realized she was older than I initially thought as I studied her face. She was just small, and pale, with loose dark hair that framed her face and dark blue eyes.
She didn’t say anything, just stood there, staring, like she was sizing us up. Her head tilted slightly, her lips curling into a slow, unsettling smile. “You’re really pretty,” she breathed, her voice soft but clear.
“Thanks…” I replied cautiously, tightening my grip on Moose’s leash as his fur bristled. She stepped closer, and his growls turned sharper, his hackles rising.