Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
He jerked her arm, swinging her around. And before she could even blink, he had her sandwiched against the door, his damp towel and everything underneath it pressed against her belly.
His head dipped down and he went nose to nose with her. “Need to tell you something first.” His voice was low and grumbly causing a shiver to slide down her spine and her nipples to peak painfully.
She stared at his lips. Though, his mouth wasn’t easy to see since his facial hair was so damn long and needed a good taming. She was tempted to reach out and wrangle it into some semblance of order so he didn’t look like some wild mountain man.
If she didn’t know his nature, with the way he looked right now, she would be scared. For the most part, the man before her seemed to be a gentle giant. Though, if crossed, she was sure he could put a hurting on someone.
“Sloane,” he said softly, “I just need you to know… I was losing my fucking mind.”
She shook her head, confused. “About?”
With a barely discernable shake of his head, he closed his eyes for a second, and took a deep breath. When his eyes opened again, they locked intently with hers. “I was in that fucking truck across the damn country and all I could think about was you hooking up with Rez or Crew.”
What? They might be both handsome and charming, as well as funny—basically because they were total smartasses—but she had no interest in either of his “brothers” in that way. What the hell made him think she would?
Did he think she slept with just anyone because of what happened in the hot tub? That was the farthest from the truth. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“Tell my brain that.”
She grabbed his head, pulled it down even further and pressed her lips to his ear. “I’d never do that. Do you want to know why?”
“Because they’re assholes?”
She fought a smile. “No.”
“Then why?”
“I didn’t have sex with you because you were convenient or because I was desperate. I had sex with you because… Well, the bottom line is, I’m attracted to you.” Despite looking like a rough biker. It wasn’t what was on his outside… “I’m attracted to what’s in here.” She pressed a hand to his heart. “How you are with your mother. How deeply your sister’s loss affected you and caused a guilt you shouldn’t have to shoulder. How you took in an infant that was not yours to raise as your own, even when you had no experience with children. How you are with that little girl and how much you love and care for her. And even how you are with your brothers. And yes, you’re assholes but mostly to each other. That seems to be the language of love between you all.” She tipped her head back enough to meet his eyes. “Did that sink into your brain?”
“All I’ve been thinking about since that night is how I want to sink into you, instead.”
That was a confession she hadn’t expected. Especially since he never made any moves on her after that night in the hot tub. Not even a bit of flirting. That led her to believe he hadn’t been interested.
Apparently, she’d been wrong. “You’ve said nothing. You’ve done nothing. Decker, I had no idea.”
“I was worried it would fuck up our arrangement. And I will say this again and also until my very last breath, Val will always come first.” He blew out a breath. “You didn’t say or do anything after that night, either. I won’t push myself on a woman who isn’t interested.”
She was about to dispel that notion for him. In plain English. “I’m interested.” She let that confession settle into his tired brain before continuing. “Listen, we’re both responsible adults here and from my perspective, we both have our heads on straight. Sex doesn’t have to ruin everything.”
“Sometimes it does.”
“You’re right, sometimes it does… If you let it. How about this? We’ll owe each other nothing outside our original deal,” she whispered, dragging her fingers over his hard pecs.
“Right,” he whispered back.
“But that doesn’t mean our deal can’t have added benefits.”
“I’m good with that.”
“Then, it’s good we’re on the same wavelength.”
“Well, this conversation has certainly changed things,” he concluded.
“I hope so.” Funny how easily things could be worked out with a little bit of communication.
Now they knew where they both stood.
Besides standing in the bathroom, that was.
She held her breath when he slowly slid the glasses off her face and set them aside on the counter. Her eyes followed his hand as it came back to cup her face, his broad thumb softly stroking her cheek.
Everything on and in her pounded in sync with her heart. Absolutely everything.
Was he about to kiss her?
She licked her lips again in preparation. And just like she watched his hand, he followed the sweep of her tongue. “So, now what?” Her question came out breathy.