Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 63758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
I washed up in the bathroom at Rue’s and changed into a clean shirt in the van, but I still wish I’d had a shower. If I were high right now, I’d probably just go be-bop into the bathroom and help myself. But I’m not high, and I’m not leaving Nadia on her own. Not when I can see her back heaving with too-quick breaths. I lean forward, my hand tightening against her belly. “Let’s play the storyteller game,” I say in her ear.
She turns her head in my direction, and the corners of her mouth lift. “What is that?”
“It’s a game my sisters and I used to play when we were bored. An add-on game. Each person adds a new line to the story.”
“You have more than one sister?”
“Yes, Dahlia is the baby. She’s in college in Wisconsin. The only normal one in the family.”
“Okay, let’s play.”
“I'll start. One time when I was young, I saw a grasshopper.”
Nadia gives an embarrassed laugh. “And…since I did not know what a grasshopper was, I ate it.”
I chuckle. “But then I learned a grasshopper is an insect, so I quickly spit it back out.”
Nadia's face splits into a full smile. She twists to look at me, laughing, her nose wrinkled. “Gross. I’m sorry.”
I shake my head dismissively. “Keep going.”
“Okay…this grasshopper turned out to be magical.”
“It changed into rainbow colors.”
“And then it spoke. It said I will grant you one wish.”
I nudge a lock of Nadia's hair out of her eyes. “And what did you wish for?” I change the game.
She swallows with effort, her lashes fluttering as she meets my eye and then looks down. “I wish to never be afraid again.”
My chest aches. “I wish that too–for you.”
“What would you wish for yourself?”
I spread my arms and quirk a smile. “To fly!” I say with a grin. “Isn't that everyone's default wish?”
She rolls her eyes, but her laugh is throaty and rich. It makes me want to win it at least one hundred times tonight. To make her laugh and laugh until she forgets all her cares. Everything that caused the pain behind those expressive brown eyes.
“What’s up, party people?” Lake hands me and Nadia shot glasses and pours cheap tequila in them.
Nadia looks to me for guidance.
I waver. Loosening her up isn’t the worst idea. “Do you like tequila?”
She looks lost. “I have not had?”
Lake tucks the bottle under his arm and waves a salt shaker. “I have salt!”
“What are you, like the tequila fairy?” I ask.
“Yep.”
“Where are the limes?” I demand.
Lake shrugs. “No limes. She’ll have to kiss your sour pucker for that.”
I inwardly wince. For once, I’m not trying to get laid. But it’s damn hard to resist when her gaze goes to my lips like she’s wondering how I’d measure up.
Well, I am here to show her a good time. One kiss never hurt anyone.
I hold out my palm. “Give me your hand, Nadia.”
I’m grateful when she doesn’t hesitate. She holds it out to me with a smile. I take her fingers and spread her thumb wide, trying not to think about spreading other parts of her to give access to my tongue. I bring her hand to my lips and suck the webbing between her thumb and forefinger.
She startles and holds her breath, but seems entranced rather than repulsed.
When it’s thoroughly wet, I pull back and hold my hand out for the salt shaker. Lake gives it to me with a smirk. He’s seen me do this routine at least three hundred times. I don’t know why he likes to watch. I guess because I make it into a spectacle, and everyone around gets horny.
It’s a party trick.
I shake salt on her moistened skin, then quickly repeat the action to my own thumb pocket. Holding her gaze, I show by example how it’s done, slowly sucking the salt off my thumb. I wait until she mimics me, and then we both down our shots at the same time.
“Whew!” She shudders, her mouth screwing up.
“I know. You’re supposed to suck a lime now to finish it off. Do you want a kiss?” I’m already reaching for the back of her head, but I would stop and rewind in a heartbeat if she showed any indication of not wanting it.
She nods, her gaze lowering to my lips again. I tug her face to mine and slant my lips over hers, stroking them softly. I tease the seam of her mouth with the tip of my tongue, and she gives me entry, letting me slide my tongue in. She returns the kiss tentatively, letting me lead. I take my time and explore the softness of her mouth, the tangle of our tongues. The lingering salt and tequila taste.
“Hey, I want some of that,” Cadence purrs beside us, draping one hand over my shoulder. Lake closes in next to her, giving me a help-out-a-bro look.