Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 25234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
I feel my anger boiling up inside me. For years I’ve been drawing, training myself to be an artist. It’s my dream to go to art school, but not only would that leave my dad alone, but it’s a financial impossibility. Of course Beatrice could send me to any school in the world and not even notice the cost, but she would never do that.
“Well,” I say slowly, “I guess some people just have different tastes than others.”
She nods, stuffing her glossed lips with English muffin, dripping with butter.
“That’s for sure. My mother told me if I ever got a tattoo, she’d disown me.”
Somehow, I manage to make it through brunch without throwing anything. It helps that the food is delicious, no thanks to Beatrice, of course. She walks us to the door where we say our goodbyes.
“I hope you’ll consider another career path, Skylar. I hear there are so many mentally disturbed people in that profession.”
My inner pot boils over.
“You know what, Beatrice–”
“Hey, Sky!” My dad interrupts what’s about to be a major blow-up. “I just got a call from work. I need to go in. Let’s get a move on!”
I turn and look back at my aunt and force the fakest smile I’ve ever smiled in my life.
“Thanks for the advice,” I say.
I turn and quickly take the steps down to her cobblestone path.
I see Dad climbing into the truck, but as I’m brushing my hair back, I catch something out of the corner of my eye and look to see the man I saw earlier.
He’s barely twenty feet away from me now standing by Beatrice’s front garden with his shovel.
He’s at least six-foot-two, I’d say, with a physique that would make any guy jealous. His chest is broad and thick, his biceps are like pythons, and his forearms look bigger than my calves. His skin looks like caramel, and he’s glistening in sweat, and when he turns to me and I finally see his face, I’m nearly knocked over by just how gorgeous he is.
Is he a workman or a model?
“Hey, there.” He smiles. “Did Beatrice send you to tell me something?”
My entire mind goes blank.
Did he just say something to me?
I feel a funny little tingle between my legs and just know my face is turning red. Hopefully he’ll just think it’s the sun.
“Hello?” he asks, cocking his head to the side. “Did Beatrice send you?”
“What?” I reply, snapping out of it. “Hi. I’m Skylar. I’m–just call me Sky.”
“Okay, Sky.” He grins. “My name’s Cade. I’d shake your hand, but it’s all sweaty and filthy from working.”
Sweaty and filthy…
Something inside me lights up, and a heat swells over me. I start to salivate. This man is delectable.
That funny little tingle grows. It’s like a warm little tickle deep inside my sex.
“That’s fine,” I reply, extending mine as I melt like butter.
Impressed, he takes it. It’s rough and reminds me of my dad’s–callused and strong. God, should I even be associating the two of them right now? “I’m used to it. My daddy works construction for a living.”
“Must be a hell of a man.” The funny sensation spreads from between my legs, growing out through my body.
“He sure is.” I nod. “You must be too if you do this for a living.” I motion to his shovel and other tools strewn about the grass.
Cade’s eyes sparkle like the stars at my compliment.
“Are you trying to seduce me, Sky?”
My cheeks are burning. Yeah, I’m blushing now.
“Wh-what?” I stammer.
He smirks. “It’s just not often girls compliment guys. Especially ones as sexy as you.”
Oh my God. Did he just call me sexy?
“So there must be some motivation behind it. That or you’re a con artist.”
This takes me by such surprise that I nearly choke as a laugh forces its way up out of my throat.
“No! Never! Beatrice is my aunt. We come here for brunch on Sundays ever since her husband passed. I’ve never seen you before though.”
Cade nods. “We’re new. Guess that means I’ll be seeing more of you, so that’s nice–”
“Skylar!” Beatrice’s voice shatters the moment like a glass breaking during dinner.
I whip around to see her fake-smiling at me from the door. “Can you come here? I think you left something of yours.”
Left something? What could I have left?
“Be right there!”
I turn back to Cade, who gives me a commiserating smile.
“Next Sunday then?” he asks.
“Absolutely,” I whisper.
“I look forward to the seduction,” he adds as I’m turning away.
This comment nearly knocks me on my feet as I’m taking the steps to where Beatrice is waiting on me.
I feel like I’ve been hit by a meteor of masculinity.
Cade.
What an unbelievable man.
“Now listen here, you little bitch, and listen good,” Beatrice growls as I reach her. She’s showing her teeth and pointing her finger at me like a snake ready to strike. I’m taken so off guard I barely know how to react.