Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“She’s beautiful, if you like the plastic, beauty-pageant type…”
Colby stopped working and turned to give me his full attention. “You’re jealous.”
I lifted my hand to inspect my nails. “I am not.”
“Can’t even admit that, huh?”
“Well, there’s nothing to admit. Because I’m not jealous. I was just stating the obvious about her looks and the restaurant.”
He nodded. “Riiiight.”
“I am right.”
Colby took a step closer. “So it wouldn’t bother you if I told you I was going to fuck some other woman?”
I gritted my teeth. “Not at all.”
He took another step toward me. “What about the thought of me wrapping another woman’s hair around my fist while she’s down on her knees and I’m fucking her mouth?”
I closed my eyes at the visual. “You don’t have to be a pig about it.”
“Apparently I do.” He raised his voice. “Because it’s the only goddamn way I can get a reaction out of you, Billie!”
My eyes sprung open. Colby took another step forward, causing me to take one back. Then he did it again. Eventually my back hit the wall. He placed one arm on either side of my head and lowered his so we were eye to eye.
“You know what I wanted to do to that guy you were on a date with the other night, Billie? I wanted to rip his head off and fuck you against a wall so hard you’d have no choice but to remember who you belong to.”
My heart raced out of control. Colby moved his head closer. We were practically nose to nose. “You know what I think? I think you’re just as jealous as I am.”
“I am not.”
The heat between us sparked so hot, it felt like my entire body was on fire.
“Liar.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Bullshit, Billie! All I’d have to do right now is move two inches closer. Once we touched, you’d be begging me to fuck you, and you know it. Maybe I should do it. We’d both get our rocks off and feel a hell of a lot better. But I won’t do that to you. Do you know why?” He moved still closer and spoke into my eyes. “Because I don’t want your body without your heart.”
That did it. I could take jealous and angry, but that jab hit me hard. Tears welled in my eyes. Seeing them, Colby’s face immediately fell. He took two steps back, put his hands up, and shook his head.
“Fuck. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It’s just… I don’t know how else to get through to you, and it’s so goddamn frustrating.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry I got in your face and said those things, Billie.”
I stayed quiet, still trying to fight back tears.
Colby blew out an audible breath and shook his head. “The woman who was just here? Her name is Caroline, and she’s my sister. She’s married with two kids and lives in Jersey. My dad is throwing my mom a small surprise party tonight. Caroline bought Saylor a special dress to wear. It matches her daughter’s. She came by to help her get ready and do her hair.” He closed his eyes and spoke softly. “There’s no way I could go on a date or be with another woman. You’re all I think about, Billie.”
I felt the wall around my heart crumbling, so I excused myself and went to the bathroom. I stayed inside for at least ten minutes, trying to get a hold of my emotions. When I heard people talking in the studio, I figured I couldn’t hide anymore.
The beautiful woman—who was apparently Colby’s sister—was back, holding Saylor’s hand. I hoped neither of them would notice how red my face was as I tried to act as normal as possible. “Hey, Saylor.” I bent down. “Wow, that’s a beautiful dress. I bet it flairs out really pretty when you spin around.”
Saylor was thrilled to demonstrate. She twirled, making the tulle bottom of her dress puff out like an umbrella. I smiled.
Colby looked at his sister. “Would you mind giving us a minute, sis?”
Caroline looked between us. “Of course. Saylor and I should go call the Uber anyway.”
Once the two of them were out of earshot, Colby stroked my cheek. “I have to go to the party before I ruin the surprise. Could we have breakfast tomorrow? Please?”
When I didn’t respond, he continued.
“It won’t be a date. But we need to talk. We can’t leave things fucked up like this. I’ve been going crazy the last two weeks.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
He kept his hand on my cheek as he moved in and kissed the other one. “About nine at the diner down the block?”
“Okay.”
He packed up his toolbox and headed for the door. “Oh, and I fixed your AC. Apparently the new fuse I put in last time somehow came loose.” He winked as if he thought I’d done it.