Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I swear to God, if he told me to get on the bed so he could tie me up, I would let him.
Remember.
The knight of cups.
I picture the card in my mind. The handsome knight on the white horse. The gold chalice he carries. He holds it up, as if in warning.
I can’t get swept away.
But my God…already…
How did I never notice Brendan Murphy? I mean, I noticed him, of course. I just never considered…
He’s so much older…
“Is it warm enough?” Brendan asks. “I can heat your plate in the microwave.”
I shake my head. “Honestly? Most stuff from Lorenzo’s is better the second time. I order takeout from Lisa at least once a week, and it’s always too much for me to eat at one sitting, so I put it in the fridge and eat it later. I never reheat it.”
“A woman after my own heart.” He smiles. “Is it too much to hope that you like cold pizza too?”
“It’s only the best breakfast ever.” I return his smile.
My nerves are still a little on edge, but I’m getting more relaxed. It’s easy to relax around Brendan. But I’m not exactly sure why.
I’m wildly attracted to him, and that kiss…
My God, I was already getting swept away.
The knight of cups.
The knight of cups.
The knight of cups.
Easy, Ava. Don’t let your emotions go wild.
Although it’s not emotion at this point. I like Brendan. I always have. But right now? This is purely physical. I’m getting swept away by his attractiveness, by his amazing kissing abilities.
By his…
God, that bulge in his jeans.
He’s sitting down, so I can’t see it. It’s probably gone down anyway.
But my God, I remember it.
The hardness pressing against my belly.
Just a little lower…
It could’ve flicked my clit through my jeans, and then…
Knight of cups.
Knight of cups.
Knight of cups.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
“Ava?”
I glance at Brendan. “Yes?”
“You haven’t touched your dinner.”
I draw in a breath. “Right. How is it?”
“Delicious.” He smiles.
“Good.”
I take a forkful of the eggplant, bring it to my mouth. It smells robust and cheesy, but I know I won’t taste it. All I can taste is Brendan Murphy’s mouth on mine.
I take another bite, chew, swallow.
And then another.
My heart is stampeding, and I’m still warm all over, and I have to hold back a shudder.
Knight of cups.
Knight of cups.
Knight of cups.
This is going to be a long evening.
CHAPTER TEN
BRENDAN
I went too quickly.
I knew it when I kissed her, but I couldn’t help myself. Her lips, that lip ring.
I wanted so badly to tug on it with my teeth, but I didn’t. That would’ve been too much.
I guess it was all too much for Ava. So much that she stopped the kiss.
Did she not enjoy it as much as I did?
My fault. I should’ve waited. This is our first date, and we’ve never even flirted before tonight.
Ava’s not the flirting type.
I finish my eggplant, and she’s left about half of hers on her plate.
I’m not sure what to do, because this is her place, not mine. Should I let her take the lead? Should I ask if I can clear the plates?
And then what?
I’d love to take her to bed, but she has to make the first move.
Before I can decide, she rises and takes my plate to the sink. Then she wraps her own unfinished portion in foil and sets it in the fridge.
“You want something for dessert? I have some ice cream.”
That’s not exactly what I want for dessert, but it will do for now. Although the idea of licking it off her hot body…
Down, boy.
“Sure. What kind do you have?”
“French vanilla. It’s my favorite.”
“You’re not a chocolate girl?”
“I know, crazy, right? I’ve always loved plain old vanilla.”
“I like vanilla too. But I also like chocolate. And strawberry.”
She chuckles softly. “Sounds to me like you just like ice cream.”
“I do. When I was little, my mom used to make homemade ice cream. It was the best on a hot summer afternoon. She doesn’t do it so much anymore.”
“Oh yeah? Aunt Marjorie makes the best brown sugar vanilla homemade ice cream. It’s even better when she flavors it with bourbon.”
“That sounds great. How come I’ve never had any of that at one of the Steel parties?”
“It has to be made in small batches. Not really party material.”
I nod. “I guess that makes sense.”
Ava takes out the carton of ice cream and scoops two portions into a couple of bowls. She puts a spoon in each and brings them back to the table, setting one in front of me.
“You need more water?” she asks.
“Yes, please.”
She fills both of our waters, adding ice, and then sits back down next to me.
She takes a spoonful of ice cream, brings it to her lips, and runs her tongue slowly over it as she puts it in her mouth.