Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
My attention refastens on Juliette as the irritation drains from her expression and she smiles at Brooke. It’s only when my gaze licks over her body that I remember she used to take dance lessons. On more than one occasion, I was dragged to her recitals.
I have no idea why she quit.
Dance was always something she loved.
It’s a real pleasure to watch her now as she shakes off our previous conversation and gets back into the music. Unable to help myself, my gaze stays pinned to her. I’m transfixed by the graceful way she rolls her hips. Her arms rise above her head and her back arches. It only makes her tits stand out more than they already do.
Fuck.
My cock throbs with painful awareness. With a quick look around, I adjust myself and hope no one notices.
The next time I slip my phone from my pocket and glance at the time, it’s after one o’clock in the morning. I thought once Brooke and Crosby took off, she’d decide she had more than enough, but nope. She’s still going strong.
I’ll give her fifteen more minutes to shake her ass.
Then, we’re calling it a night.
Whether I have to carry her out of here kicking and screaming, it’s time to go.
I’ve been more than patient.
Once time is up, I cut a path directly to her. People shift and scurry out of my way as I move through the press of bodies. I’m like Moses parting the Red Sea. Her arms are still lifted above her head. Even in the dim lighting, I see the thick sweep of lashes lying against her skin as a smile tips the corners of her mouth.
With her unaware of my presence, I’m able to look my fill. I might watch her from across a distance, but very rarely do I get an opportunity to be this up close and personal. I want to etch every dip and curve into my memory, because I know damn well that it won’t come around for a second time.
My gaze drops to the generous bow shape of her pink slicked lips, and I chew my lower one as a burst of arousal arrows straight through me before settling in my dick. I’ve spent my entire life tamping down my lust for this girl, and it would seem like it’s hellbent on breaking loose this evening.
After a while, her eyelids feather open, and our gazes collide. In that moment of intense connection, the music and people pushing in at the edges fade to the background until it’s just the two of us.
Until she’s all I’m cognizant of.
Instead of giving in to the harsh need that pumps through my system, I say in a tone that comes out sounding far gruffer than intended, “It’s time to go.”
She blinks before glancing around with a frown as if reluctantly waking from a dream. “I don’t know where Carina is.”
Instead of looking for her roommate, my attention stays pinned to her. “I haven’t seen her for an hour or so.”
“We caught a ride here with Wolf, Ford, and Madden.”
“I’ll drive you home. You can’t walk alone at this hour.”
When her brows slant together as if trying to come up with an alternative solution for the predicament she now finds herself in, I wrap my fingers around her wrist and tow her through the crowd.
“Did you bring a jacket?” There’s a thick stack of them in the living room on an armchair.
“No.”
I shoot her a scowl. “It’s cold out. You should have brought one.”
Irritation flickers across her face. “I’m not a child. Stop treating me like one.”
No, she certainly isn’t.
“You can wear one of mine,” I grumble. Once we reach the entryway, I stop and point a finger. “Don’t move a single muscle. I’ll be right back.”
She rolls her eyes.
Since that’s probably the only response I’m going to get, I jog up the staircase to the second floor before turning down the hall. With a quick flick of my wrist, I throw open the bedroom door and grab the midweight jacket I pulled out a couple weeks ago when the weather turned colder. With the navy coat in hand, I retrace my steps. For all I know, Juliette could have ducked out once I disappeared up the stairs. She’s stubborn that way and clearly doesn’t want me telling her what to do.
Everything inside me settles when I catch sight of her in the entryway. As soon as my feet hit the last tread, I slip the thick material around her shoulders before carefully maneuvering her arms through the sleeves. The coat is ridiculously big on her. Her fingers don’t even peek out of the cuffs. If I didn’t already realize how much smaller she is than me, I sure as hell do now.
I can’t deny the deep sense of satisfaction that fills me at the sight of her wearing something of mine. I want all the assholes who’ve been staring at her to understand that she belongs to me.