Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I almost pass out from laughter.
Louisa nods. “Right? That’s why she was always at the top of the Halo. She is sex on legs.”
I wish she hadn’t brought up the Halo because, yeah, I was popular. Until I wasn’t. “I am no such thing.”
“You are. Look at you,” she says, pointing at me. “You’re beautiful, Austen.”
My breath catches and my heart aches as I look between my sisters. My best friends. I know for a fact that I’m the only one who isn’t sexually active and hasn’t even had my first kiss. Usually, that wouldn’t bother me, but it’s bothering me now. What if I did go home and tell Dimitri to take me? Or kiss me? Would he do it?
Would I truly want him to?
The world is so much safer and easier with a book in my hand and fuzzy socks on.
“I’ve decided that’s my next goal, to make a guy scream my name,” Eliza announces, pulling my attention to her. “And I’ve also decided I am wearing this dress.”
“Same.”
Their eyes meet mine, and I look myself over, loving the way the fabric flows and gathers. How the peek of my leg is classy but sexy. I love how much my eyes shine and how pretty I look in this dress. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I’m feeling confident, so I nod. “Same.”
And maybe, just maybe, I’ll feel the same confidence I do now when I see Dimitri this weekend.
And tell him to kiss me.
Ha. I won’t! I know I won’t.
sixteen
Dimitri
“So,” Flynn says, leaning over to me and tapping his beer to mine. “What’s going on with Austen?”
I bring my brows together. The room is loud, so I’m sure no one hears us or is even paying attention to us. Stella moves around the space in a stunning, silky white number that hugs every single one of her curves. Her eyes are full of such excitement, and I couldn’t be happier for her. Wes knows what he’s marrying and follows her around like the giddy groom he is. From what my mom said, the rehearsal went off without a hitch, but I know the night is still young. I’m sure someone will do something stupid.
My money is on Emery. Or Quinn.
They’re each on different sides of the room, both trying to act like they aren’t looking at the other. It’s comical, to say the least.
Hell, I just bet Flynn two hundred bucks that Emery will slap Quinn by the end of the night. So his even bringing up Austen is really out of left field. Not that I mind.
“What do you mean?”
“You Mario’d her,” he says simply. “I think you like her.”
“Or maybe I was protecting her from you.”
“Nah, you like her. You always bring her stuff, and if she’s in the room, you’re watching her. What’s up with that?”
I try not to show any emotion, but it’s a struggle when all I can see is that flushed face and those full lips parted ever so slightly. She had me wound so tight, I had to relieve myself in the shower when I got home. The way her lips part is not only intoxicating but mindfucking. I want to stick my tongue right between those lips and watch her eyes widen. I want to feel her flushed skin against mine, and I want to feel that heart pound. I want to make her feel what that book made her feel.
Flynn’s stare reminds me he’s talking to me, so I recover quickly. “What do you mean, what’s up with that? She’s cool. Hot.”
“That she is,” Flynn agrees. “But I don’t think she likes you.”
I snort. “No, she does.”
“I don’t think so, man. She is always glaring at you.”
I smirk. “I’m telling you, she’s digging me. She just doesn’t want to, for some reason, and I think it has to do with Shelli.”
Both our gazes move to our GM. She stands with Aiden, talking with her hands with her sister and brothers. I hadn’t expected to see the whole Adler clan here. I know Owen’s wedding is in two weeks, but I didn’t expect them at this one. But what do I know? I’ve been gone for years.
“Shelli? What happened?”
I give him a look, and he just blinks at me. And I swear, a whole ten minutes pass before it dawns on him. His eyes widen, and he stammers out, “No fucking way. That was like ten years ago.”
“Yeah. Apparently I hurt her feelings,” I explain, and his face scrunches up more.
“Didn’t she initiate the hookup?”
“Ehhh,” I draw out. “I mean, it was mutual, I guess. I was always down to hook up, and she was upset over Aiden because I guess she had flirted with him and he wasn’t about it.”
“Because she was underage, I’m sure.”
“Sure,” I agree. “But she made the comment that she wanted to forget him, and I said I could help. And bam, we’re going at it in the pool house.” I shrug. It was a really great time. She was fun, but I really didn’t think she’d hold it over my head. I didn’t think she even cared about me. She wanted to forget, and I helped with that. No big deal. But I guess I misread the whole thing. “I mean, she wasn’t in love with me or anything like that, so why would she be upset?”