Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 58992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
As the cauliflower dish cools, I peer in the camera on my phone, admiring the sparkly chain with the silver charm—three little books stacked together. She saved it for me when it arrived at her nearby boutique earlier today.
“It’s fantastic,” I say, but it reminds me of Drew, and my stomach swoops with unexpected nerves.
Or maybe this feeling is expected, knowing Drew will be here soon.
I set a hand on my belly.
She eyes me curiously. “You okay?”
“Just feeling…I dunno. Vulnerable?”
“If you decide not to tell him how you feel tonight, that’s fine too.” She squeezes my arm. “Do it in your time, okay?”
I’m such a worrier. So risk averse. “It’s too soon, right?” I squeak. Am I ready to brave the I’m falling for you conversation?
“Brooke, who am I to decide how soon it is? Feelings are feelings,” she says. “You figure them out in your own time. Not anyone else’s.”
“But especially after Sailor.” I fiddle with a dish towel. “Maybe it’s too soon to trust someone else.”
Even though Sailor and I split nearly a year ago.
Rachel shakes her head emphatically, her chestnut hair flying. “Just because your ex was a cheater doesn’t mean a damn thing about this guy.”
I finger the charm. “It’s all a lot easier in books.”
“Maybe,” she says with a sympathetic smile. “But sometimes you just want to live your own story, you know?”
What if it’s not about the timing? Maybe I’m the obstacle, my own worries, my mistrust, my fear of getting hurt again holding me back. Yes, Drew and I have our challenges. Is the biggest one…me?
“Ugh. Stop being wise.” I shoo her out with a potholder and shut the door. Then I rest against it, thinking over the last few weeks of getting to know Drew.
Something deep and true is happening between us.
He said as much tonight. I’ve been feeling it too. Which seems wild and risky, but also, it’s so real.
I return to the kitchen, checking on the chicken dish as it cools. After I set out utensils and napkins, I settle in at the counter and dive back into my new book, a romance novel that Rachel turned me onto—Top-Notch Boyfriend. The opening hooked me, and I’m eager to dive back in.
But I can’t stay focused on the pages. Even though books have always been my escape, I can’t seem to run from this drumbeat in my heart. It’s loud and insistent, telling me to ask for what I want.
It’s telling me to take a chance.
To ride the wave.
To put myself out there.
Seconds later, the doorbell rings, and I race to the door, ready to blurt out, I want to try.
But Drew’s faster. “Bed. Now. I’m making good on our deal right fucking now, then the next night and the next and the next.”
I blink, then just rasp out a yes.
My normal sex worries swim up once I’m on my back on the bed, but not like they used to. Not as loud. Not as annoying.
“I’ve got you tonight,” Drew whispers as he climbs over me, his voice smoky as he smothers my neck in kisses. My neck is his playground, and he covers it in caresses, gentle kisses, then hungrier nips.
When he presses his lips to the hollow of my throat, my stomach flips. Then he moves down my body, pushes up my skirt, and pulls down my panties.
He groans in appreciation, then he moves back up me, grabs his phone from the mattress and his earbuds too. “I’ve got a sex hack for you. Put these on. I know you like dirty talk, and my mouth is about to be occupied with your sweet pussy.”
It takes a beat to register what he’s done, but then I get it. I smile wickedly as I pop in the earbuds.
A few seconds later, he’s talking to me in my ears as he moves down my body.
Oh.
Wow.
That feels so good.
Then it’s even better when the recording he made of his own sexy voice plays.
You’re so slick and wet. You taste so fucking sweet.
He kisses me.
Rock those hips against my face.
I obey, arching into him. He kisses me ravenously, licking sensual lines up and down.
I fucking love burying my face between your thighs.
The pleasure sharpens as he spreads my legs wide, kissing me deeply, passionately.
I want to make your legs shake, your knees weak. Want you to tremble as I kiss you between your legs and fuck you with my tongue.
I moan from his words, from his touch, from his hands, from his mouth. The erotic overload drowns out my worries, replacing them with pure lust and joy as I arch against him, running my fingers through his hair.
I’ve gotten off to this so many times. I jack off to you in the shower.
Sharp, hot pleasure thrums through me.
Want you to come on my face.