Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Boy, was I wrong. He exuded easy charm and effortless sophistication, and his matured masculine features held a captivating allure. From the sweep of his now sandy blond hair, almond shaped eyes, straight nose, and strong jaw framing perfectly plump lips, he made it hard to turn away.
How could I have thought I’d be able to see him and walk away? That drove me to the bar for one last glimpse. The reason I stood in front of him right then.
My savior. The only hope I’d had for years.
“What did you think would happen?” I asked, picking up the conversation from the last thing I remembered hearing. I tucked then fisted my hands into my down jacket issued by the university’s athletic department.
“Remember, I have a vivid imagination. My dreams had you hoisting me over your shoulder then going caveman on me. Or I’d do that to you. Either way, neither of us left the house for a month.” Dash shrugged and stepped backward to the front door as I grew closer. “That’s usually as far as I got. I kept envisioning the different ways we’d spend the month.”
“You consider that a vivid imagination?” I countered.
Dash opened the front door. His smile widened as he extended a hand, gesturing me inside first. I stepped through the entry, immediately surveying the open floor plan. It was the nicest house I’d ever seen, but also the oddest.
It had a western vibe yet also ultra-modern. Lots of color, fine matching furnishings and glass walls. I was drawn deeper inside as I cocked my head to look up the curved staircase, sweeping up to the second floor from the left of the entry.
“Those are my roommate’s rooms,” he said. The front door closed behind me, the lock clicking in place.
“Think that’s gonna keep me in?” I teased, casting a quick look over my shoulder.
“I hope I’m what keeps you in,” he replied with his usual quick wit.
With deliberate movements, Dash came to face me. He lifted on his tiptoes, cupping the back of my neck. With the pressure he applied, my head bent. Not that it took much effort on his part; I was a willing participant. His body pressed against mine. We stared at one another, internally communicating like we used to do.
“You can do much better than me,” I whispered. My gaze drifted down to his lips.
“So you’ve said for years now.”
I dipped, he lifted, our mouths melded together once again. This kiss wasn’t exactly chaste. The strength and manipulation of my lips held passion, but I also didn’t allow it to escalate. We returned to our silent stare.
His conveyed concern.
Everything I had ever felt for him was back in force.
“I waited for you, but it was becoming difficult.” I wasn’t sure of his meaning, but I suspect it had to do with sex. My assumption seemed correct, judging by the way his arms crossed over his chest as if struggling to maintain composure.
“You don’t have to explain or justify anything to me.” Yet it hurt. The pain swiftly lanced my heart. I didn’t want to hear more about his sex life and stepped around Dash, heading into the living room. Long windows also lined the back walls of the house. The dark night beyond captured my full attention until I took a full turn, taking the house in from this direction. “What’s goin’ on with this place? I haven’t ever seen anything like it.”
Dash’s tone regained its humor. “A couple of years ago, the house was a Christmas present from my family,” he explained and moved to stand in front of me again. “I remodeled based on something I saw in France. It’s an ultra-open floor plan on both floors. In this part of the house, the walls are glass. I thought it was cool. Maybe not as much now as I once did. My guests can’t resist touching the glass in awe, which means Amelia have to work full-time to help me keep them smudge-free.” He nodded toward the rear of the house. “My area’s back there. It’s more private.”
“Your area has real walls?” I asked and grinned.
“There’s the smile I adore. Come back and see.”
I trailed Dash through the living room, dining room, and kitchen, all the same space. Tastefully decorated, masculine, comfortable.
“This part of the house is shared space and who knows when he’ll be home.”
At the hallway’s entry, Dash stepped aside and swept out a hand, urging me to go first again.
“I don’t know the way,” I replied.
“You’re a smart guy. You’ll work it out.”
My heart pounded so fiercely that I feared it might flatline before too much longer.
What I hadn’t said to Beau was that I had never dreamed he’d come to me with such distance, ready to leave me once again.
Had I not felt that peculiar sensation, if Alexis hadn’t mentioned the hot newcomer, would we even be here right now? I doubted it which meant he still might walk away. Worry and anxiety took me past my usual resolve. The persistent energy I relied upon that fueled my bullheadedness in everything I did. The foreign feelings left me unsteady and uncertain as I tried to rapidly regroup.