Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“I’ve been home for a while. I took a shower,” I say lamely. Not that he couldn’t already tell from my wet hair. Feeling self-conscious in front of this Adonis of a man, I reach up to tighten the wet knot of hair on top of my head.
“Looks like you forgot some of your clothes.” His voice is tight, and his eyes stay riveted to my chest.
Shit.
When I reached up to my hair, my flannel came open. I forgot all about forgoing a bra in a hurry to see my big brother. My instincts tell me to rush to close my flannel, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Not with the way he’s looking at me.
There’s hunger in his eyes. It’s a look I told myself for years that I was imagining. I repeated that mantra after that night he slipped into my room during spring break, but right here, right now, there is no mistaking he likes what he sees.
He sees me.
Sure, it’s just my tits that have him enthralled, but I expected indifference. “I was just coming down to say hi and hug my brother before going to bed.”
“Is that how you dress at college? Your bare tits beneath a thin piece of fabric not leaving anything to the imagination?” There’s bitterness in his tone.
“How I dress isn’t your concern,” I fire back.
“The hell it’s not.” He stands to his full height and glares at my chest before his gaze captures mine once more. His green eyes are blazing with something I can’t name.
“I must have missed that memo,” I say sweetly.
“Emerson.” My name is a growl, and it sends heat pooling between my thighs. I ignore it.
“Roman,” I retort.
He moves around the counter, but I’m too slow. I turn to run back to my room, but Roman is there. I step backward until my back rests against the kitchen island. His hands cage me in as his green eyes blaze with his stare.
I hold his gaze, refusing to be the first of us to look away. Not that it matters. Roman changes the game when one of his hands slips beneath my thin tank top. He traces just above the waistband of my shorts with his index finger.
My chest rises and falls with each labored breath, but still, I hold his gaze. He steps in closer, the heat from his body wrapping around me like a warm embrace. When he bends his head, I lick my lips, certain he’s about to kiss me. His eyes flash to my lips and then back again.
Two can play this game.
I stand up, which pushes our bodies together. We’re so close, I’m not sure where he ends and I begin. His hand slides around to the small of my back as he holds me close. His eyes remain locked on mine.
His head falls forward, and his lips hover above mine. His hot breath breezes across my skin, causing goose bumps to race down my spine. In my mind, I’m willing him to kiss me. With my eyes, I dare him, my body tempting his. I’m about to make a move, taking what I want—a kiss from the man I’ve crushed on since I was old enough to be interested. However, just as I work up the nerve to take what I’ve always craved, the front door crashes open.
“Emmy!” Forrest calls out for me. “Get your ass down here!” He’s laughing, and I can’t help but smile too. I’ve missed him.
Roman’s hand drops from my body, and he takes several steps back. I watch as he runs his tattooed hand through his unruly jet-black hair. He moves back to the opposite side of the island while on shaking legs, I manage to perch my ass on a bar stool.
“Close your shirt,” Roman grits out.
I look down and see my hard nipples poking through. “Your fault,” I sass before grabbing both sides of the flannel and wrapping it around me.
“You better answer him,” Roman reminds me.
I swallow, licking my lips. “In here, Forty!”
My brother’s heavy footfalls echo throughout the house. “There she is.” Forrest grins as he stalks toward me and wraps his arms around me in a crushing hug.
Hot tears prick my eyes. I owe my big brother so much. He’s always been my protector and my biggest cheerleader. “I missed you, Forty,” I murmur softly.
“I miss you too, Emmy.” He pulls back and nods at Roman. “Thanks for greeting her, man. That last client was a pain in my ass.”
“It’s always the new ones.” Roman chuckles.
“Don’t I know it,” Forrest fires back before he turns his attention back to me. “Are you hungry? I can order something.”
“No, just tired from the drive.”
“Any troubles?”
“Nope. We did a mini-caravan, stopping at the same times, following each other closely.”
“There’s something I want to ask you. I was waiting to do it in person. We’ve been meaning to hire someone to work the desk, take appointments, cash out customers, that sort of thing.”