Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“I mind.” He tapped her nose. “Come on. This way I can spend a little more time with you.”
Warmth filled her, both at his offer and reason.
Once they were settled inside the vehicle and on their way, she turned toward him. “I really like your family.”
“They’re nosey,” he said but his voice held a hint of affection.
She laughed. “Because they love you. I’m sure that’s why they wanted to check me out.”
“I love them too. Even when I want to kill them,” he muttered. “But I’m glad you didn’t mind the ambush.”
“Of course not. My family would do the same thing.”
He didn’t reply and she had a weird feeling about his silence. “Dex? Is something wrong?”
He kept one hand on the wheel, eyes on the road, but he grabbed her hand with his free one. “I’ve been debating when to explain this to you. Since we’re talking about protective family members, this is probably as good a time as any.”
She kicked off her heel and curled the leg beneath her, turning to face him. “What did Ian do?” she asked, because it didn’t take a perceptive genius to figure out this had something to do with her overprotective brother.
“Remember you mentioned that I pulled away from kissing you twice?”
She nodded. “I do,” she said, her stomach suddenly in knots.
“That New Year’s Eve night with you was life-altering. You were smart and sexy. That whole evening was special. But after the kiss, I turned my head and saw Ian glaring at me. At the time, I was a rookie and he held my career in his hands.” She heard the regret in his voice.
“I understand why you backed off, but I don’t get why my brother thought it was okay to mess with my life.” She’d been so into Dex, so swept off her feet by the man. His turning cold on her had hurt badly.
He pulled in front of her building, put the vehicle in park, and turned to meet her gaze. “The same reason Fallon came today. He loves you and was protective. You were young. I was football focused.”
She curled her hands into fists. “It wasn’t his place.”
He cupped a hand beneath her chin. “Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t, but he did us a favor. I needed to focus on my career and couldn’t make you a priority. I can now.”
She swallowed hard. “But—”
“But nothing. You asked for time, you have time. You need to get your life in order, I respect that. But I’m no longer a kid who’ll listen to another man telling me what to do. You’re the only one who has a say in this relationship. Not my family or yours.” He slid his hand around her neck and pulled her toward him, sealing his lips over hers.
He took her like he’d done that night under the mistletoe, showing her he meant what he said. This time, he wasn’t going anywhere. Every nerve ending inside her ignited, her body aflame. She moaned into his mouth. Wrapped her arms around his neck and let the kiss go on until he pulled back, out of breath.
He touched his forehead to hers. “Go inside before I can’t control myself.” His low growl turned her on even more.
Though they’d spent a good amount of time together, she’d been forcing herself to have alone time to think. So she didn’t jump into something so soon after Jeremy. As much as she wanted to invite him up, she forced herself to open the car door and walk into her building alone.
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning, Dex woke up and before he showered for the day, he called his dad’s cell. Better to know what he was in for today prior to getting ready.
To his surprise, Lizzie answered. “Hello?”
“Hi, Lizzie. It’s Dex. How are you?”
“I’m fine, sweetheart. I know you called your dad but he’s outside on a ladder changing a light bulb above the garage,” she said.
Dex pinched the bridge of his nose. “What happened to the handyman you hired to fix some things around the house to make Dad’s life easier?”
“Your father said—”
“He can do it himself,” they repeated at the same time.
Dex groaned. “Listen, is it okay if I come over in a couple of hours?” Obviously, this was the perfect time to talk to his dad about his and his siblings’ concerns about his heart and overdoing activity.
“Of course,” Lizzie said. “Oh! Bring that lovely girl, Samantha, that Fallon told me about. Your father and I want to meet her.”
Dex hesitated then realized his dad might take the criticism better if he brought Samantha and just mentioned his concerns rather than confronting him straight out.
“I’ll see if she’s free to come.”
“Wonderful! Let me know and if she can, I’ll make lunch.” Her voice rose in excitement. “And, Dex?”