Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
“Hello to you, too,” I finally say since he can’t so much as utter a greeting. Lawson looks up at me with his electric blue eyes, drawing me in, and now I’m mesmerized. He’s not wearing his usual white cowboy hat today, allowing the top of his hair to flop here and there in waves, the sides faded closer to his scalp. He’s slowly graying at his temples even though he’s only in his late thirties. From what I’ve heard, Mr. Johnson went gray early in life too and now sports a whole head of more salt than pepper hair.
“Hey, Juniper,” Lawson finally says. He’s so damn annoying, yet he also lights my body up in flames. Sometimes I hate being a woman. There he is, standing there looking all hot and sexy, and here I am, looking like a complete and total hot mess. I watch as he keeps pulling out groceries from the bags I know are Catherine’s. She has an unhealthy obsession with animals printed on items. Everywhere you look, there’s a chicken, a cow, or a horse emblazoned on her muck boots, rain jacket, bags, and all other kinds of things. “You feeling any better?” A big tub of soup is set on the counter, then come a couple of varieties of drinks, Sprite and Ginger Ale, and crackers. God, Catherine Johnson is a saint. My stomach settles at the thought of hot broth and crackers. My throat will probably relish it, too. Acid from being sick hasn’t helped matters.
“You look like hell.” Maybe he’s just now noticing my appearance, but no woman wants to hear what she looks like in a negative light.
“And you can see yourself out now. Tell your mom thanks.” Just when I thought Lawson wouldn’t be a giant jerk, he goes and shoves his big fat foot in his mouth.
“Damn it, Juni, that’s not how I meant it.” I’m still standing by the open door, crossing my arms over my chest, letting the warm humid air coat my body. After being inside the house for almost two days, sick and sleeping, the fresh air feels really good. I make a mental note once the big handsome lug is gone to sit on the back porch and munch on Catherine’s goodies. Man, I wish it were her here right now instead of her son, but beggars can’t be choosers.
“Then how did you mean it?” I throw my hands up in the air. A wave of queasiness hits me, and I immediately lower them, wrapping my arms around my waist. I close my eyes, breathe through my nose, and wait for the moment to pass. Thankfully, Lawson remains quiet. “Listen, I don’t have the energy for this. I appreciate you bringing everything. I’m going to crawl back into bed now.”
“Juniper,” he calls my name, but running is my only option. I’m about to lose my cookies. I don’t hear the heavy footfalls following me or notice his presence as I sink to the floor. All I want to do is crawl into a hole by myself and wait for this sickness to go away. Except I can’t, because Lawson followed me. He’s currently rubbing my back and cooing soft words. And now I’m not sure if I love him or hate him for it.
FOUR
LAWSON
“Motherfucker,” I whisper into Juniper’s bedroom once she’s finally settled down from her trip to the bathroom. It took all I had not to bundle her up in my truck and take her to the hospital. The only thing stopping me is the spitfire who can put me in my place. She didn’t look like she’d be up for a fight. One look, and I knew to shut my mouth and stay in my lane. Luckily, once she took care of herself, I did some quick thinking, grabbing the crackers and making her two different drinks, unsure of which she prefers.
“Lawson,” she says so low, I almost think I’m hearing shit. Juniper is back in bed, hands above her head, and it has me thinking about what it would be like to have her exactly how she is. Minus being sick. I’d sink between her spread thighs, keep her exactly as she is, and bracket her wrists in one hand while I kiss every bare inch of her body. A flashback of sorts hits me, but I’m not sure when or where it happened. My lips on her neck, breathing her in before getting the slightest taste of her skin.
“Right here, baby. I’m right here.” Juniper opens her eyes. She looks confused as hell, and I’m betting it’s because her body is in starvation mode. “I’m going to need you to take a couple of bites and a few sips. As long as you keep that down, I won’t push our earlier conversation.”