Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
I laugh, his easygoing, flirty manner making the nerves dissipate. “Well, consider me impressed.”
King chops vegetables with the skill of someone who’s done this a lot, while I handle the herbs and spices. There’s something unbelievably sexy—and mature—about a man who knows his way around a kitchen and it only increases my attraction to him.
“I have to tell you about Hendrix and Stevie getting engaged,” he says, glancing over to see my wineglass nearly empty. He takes a moment and refills it before topping his off.
“She owns a bar, right?” I ask, taking a small sip of the wine. During our first date at the skating rink, I’d learned much about King’s teammates and their significant others, but it was a lot to keep track of. He made mention of me meeting them at some point, but I was noncommittal.
A low rumble of laughter escapes King’s lips. “Good memory,” he remarks. He leans in closer, his eyes gleaming. “But let me tell you about the time Hendrix tried to win over our unbeatable pool champion.”
My hands pause on the chopping board as I listen intently. “Go on.”
King’s voice takes on a dramatic edge. “Hendrix came strutting in that night with an engagement ring and wagered the proposal on a game of nine ball.”
I raise an eyebrow in disbelief. “Seriously?”
“Dead serious,” King confirms, nodding emphatically. “He bet that if he won, she had to marry him.”
“And did she accept?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
King grins and nods again. “She accepted… but only after adding her own twist to the bet.”
A smile tugs at my lips as I take another sip of wine. “Let me guess, she knew he couldn’t beat her.”
“Oh, he knew it.” King chuckles. “But it was her own unique way of accepting his proposal.”
I suppress the urge to let out a dreamy sigh and instead focus on my wine. “That’s quite romantic.”
“Romantic and badass,” King adds, a proud glint in his eye. “That’s true love.”
“Hmm,” I murmur, turning back to the cilantro.
Next thing I know, King is beside me, taking the knife from my hand. He turns me to face him, hands on my shoulders. “I know you’re only interested in casual dating, but you don’t believe in true love?”
I shrug, look away to gather my thoughts and then back to him. “Let’s just say my faith in it was battered so I’m not sure.”
“Your ex-husband,” he says grimly. “He did a number on you.”
I don’t want to talk about Scott so I turn it around on him. “Why do you believe so deeply in it?”
King’s eyes sparkle. “Because I saw it every day in my life growing up between my parents. I saw it last night between Hendrix and Stevie. Why not believe when I’ve seen proof?”
Everything about those words screams danger to me and yet I can’t help but be utterly charmed by King’s sincerity. I’m also scared because he’s a good man and I don’t want to break his heart. I should walk out of here right now because he’s the type who would want me to believe in it again. Instead, I kiss him.
Not a soft kiss but one that immediately turns deep and hot.
King responds eagerly, his arms wrapping around me as he takes the kiss even further. The electricity between us is undeniable, crackling like a summer storm. I can feel his heart racing against my chest, mirroring my own erratic pulse.
As we finally pull apart, King studies me with a mix of desire and understanding in his eyes. “I see you, Willa,” he murmurs, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “You don’t have to believe in true love right now. But believe in this moment. In us.”
I am torn between the walls I’ve built around my heart and the overwhelming urge to let them crumble in the face of this connection. In King’s arms, I feel safe yet vulnerable, desired yet respected. It’s a dangerous combination that both thrills and terrifies me.
But as he leans in to kiss me again, I try to suppress my doubts and fears, allowing myself a little bit of room to be swept away by the passion. At this moment, I choose to believe not in fairy tales but in the magic of two people connecting through pleasure, because that’s all I have the capacity for.
King’s lips on mine ignite a fire within, melting away some of the ice around my heart. Intimacy requires a certain level of care between two people—this much I know to be true and necessary.
Pulling away, I put my hand on his chest. “King, can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” he says, pressing his lips to my forehead.
“What are you really looking for with me?” I ask, keeping my tone casual, even though the question feels anything but.
King’s expression turns serious. “I’m looking for something real. I want someone to share my life with, someone to build something lasting with.”