Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
He looked over, his face unreadable.
“What?” I snapped.
“I think I’m drunk.”
I started to laugh. “But you hardly drank anything.”
“Shawna made me do shots with her while you were in the kitchen helping put the food away.”
Shawna had liquored him up. “Did she hit on you?”
“Absolutely.”
I felt my jealousy rear its ugly head again, so I stomped on it. “Well, she’s very pretty and a good person. I can’t blame you for being interested.” I looked away, hiding my disappointment. Why even care, Meri? It’s not like this—us—was ever going anywhere.
“Yes, she is very beautiful. But she’s not my type.”
I slowly looked over at Beau, finding his eyes glued to my lips. My stomach fluttered, and my face got all hot.
He suddenly hopped out of the truck.
What just happened? I hopped out, too, but he was already walking away. “Beau?”
“I’m drunk. I need to sleep it off.”
“Where are you going?” I called out. He didn’t reply, so I went after him for a second time tonight.
I caught up and cut him off on the sidewalk. “It’s freezing outside. Just crash on my couch.”
“It’s not a wise idea.”
I rolled my eyes. “I promise not to take advantage of you. Girl Scout’s honor.” I raised my hand.
Our eyes locked.
“Maybe I’m the one who’ll take advantage of you.” He slid his arms around my waist and pulled me into him, covering my mouth with his.
Startled by the unexpected kiss, I froze. His lips were warm and soft. He smelled like rum mixed with peppermint candy. Mmmm… He tastes like the holidays.
I opened my mouth, inviting him to deepen the kiss. He did. It was a slow, sensual kiss that made my knees wobble and my wobbly bits steam up.
As his mouth and tongue worked against mine, his towering frame pressed against me, warming me from head to toe. I wrapped my arms around him, exploring the hard back muscles under his sweater.
After a few moments, I was dizzy and drunk with lust.
Beau slowly ended the kiss, kneading my lips with his and kissing the corner of my mouth.
He smiled down at me with a seductive grin. “Good night, Meri.” He turned to walk away again.
“You’re really going to leave?” I asked, breathless.
“I have some business to take care of.”
It was one o’clock in the morning. What sort of business could he possibly have?
Flustered beyond belief, I watched Mr. Mixed Signals walk away, refusing to chase after him for a third time tonight. It was one thing to want somebody, but it was another to beg.
He knows where I live.
I went to my apartment and looked out the window at the empty alley, replaying our interactions since we’d met.
So he used to be a spoiled rich kid. I never would’ve guessed it. But how could his father turn his back like that? Not that I knew Beau before all this, but he’d spent a decade of his life living like that guy from Kung Fu, a show I’d caught on the old rerun channel. The guy, who was a monk, traveled from place to place, helping others with his mad kung fu skills. Okay, Beau wasn’t running around beating people up in the name of justice, but he definitely took his vow of poverty seriously.
I changed into my red flannel bottoms and my tank top with tiny green Christmas trees. While I braided my frizzy hair, I couldn’t help wondering what would come next for Beau.
Maybe he’s like an outdoor cat now. He’d never be able to settle down into a “normal” life.
I hopped into bed, knowing that I was more fascinated by him than ever.
Suddenly, my door buzzer went off. I got up and pressed the intercom button in the kitchen. “Hello?”
“It’s me,” said that deep familiar voice.
Beau. My heart lit up, and I did a little dance. “Yes, yes, yes!” I hit the door release to let him in and then rushed to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
By the time I was done, Beau was at my door.
“Hey, you came back,” I said, trying to sound casual about it.
“As you can see.”
“Are you staying, or are you still worried I might take advantage of you?” I asked coyly.
“I was hoping you might take a few liberties. Though, I am no longer drunk. Only a little tipsy.”
“I can work with that.” I grabbed him by the collar of his sweater and pulled him inside, pressing my mouth to his.
He still tasted delicious. Later, I’d have to ask what sort of gum or mouthwash he used.
With our mouths locked, and my body turning into a ball of fire, I pulled off his sweater and tossed it to the floor. His warm hands roamed under my tank top to my waist, gripping me firmly as he bowed his body over me. I ran my hands up to his shoulders and then down his chest, tracing my fingertips along the contours of his pecs and abs.