Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
The emotions threatening to pull me under and drown me are too overwhelming. I give him a clipped nod, unable to formulate words, and hang up the receiver.
We’ll keep Roux safe.
We have to.
I’ll move heaven and hell making sure that happens.
Roux
Kayden groans against my mouth as his hand teases my flesh beneath my shirt on my stomach. A small whimper escapes me, making him smile against my lips. We’ve only been officially dating for a week and I love kissing him, but sometimes it feels like things are moving way too fast. When his fingertips brush along my bra, I push at his shoulders.
He lets out a heavy sigh before pulling away, a frown marring his face. “What?”
“I’m not ready…for that.” I chew on my bottom lip and straighten my glasses. “I’m sorry.”
“What is that, Roux?” he challenges with a smirk.
“You know what that is,” I grumble. “We can kiss, though.”
He rolls his eyes and checks his phone. “It’s fine. I know you’re my little prude. I’ll wear you down eventually.” His tone is playful, but I don’t miss the glint of irritation in his gaze.
“Just give me more time to warm up to all of this.” I take his hand in mine. “Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad. I’ve just waited a long time for us to happen.”
“We are happening,” I assure him. “All those things will come with time.”
He flashes me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Sure thing, babe. I gotta go. Renaldo wants me to drop by the shop. I’ll pick you up in the morning for school.”
Disappointment floods through me. We were supposed to study together tonight. Since Roan isn’t here and Hollis is at school, I thought we’d have all that time to ourselves. But, apparently since I’m not putting out, Kayden’s ready to bail on me.
Kayden rises from the sofa and stretches. He’s probably the hottest guy at Hood River High and I somehow landed him. Me. Roux Hirsch. Big, awkward nerd. But it’s not exactly how I imagined it.
Something’s missing.
Guilt niggles at me. Of all the girls he could have ended up with, he’s chosen me, and all I can think about is maybe he chose wrong. Maybe he’d be better off with someone like my best friend Charlotte or one of the other popular cheerleaders. He certainly deserves more than a girl who questions it every time he wants to touch her.
Because you think of him.
Jordy Martinez.
My brother’s best friend who’s serving ten years at OSP for killing four men.
“Hey,” Kayden says, cupping my cheeks. “I’m not mad. I know how you are. I’ve known you for a long time. We’re good. I really do have to go.”
He coaxes a smile out of me when he kisses my forehead.
“Call me later.” I stand on my toes and meet his lips for another kiss. “Okay?”
“As soon as I deal with my asshole brother, I’m all yours.” His hands find my hips, drawing me to his obvious erection. “I really don’t want to go. I’d rather study naked with you.”
I laugh against his lips. “You’re crazy.”
He opens his mouth, no doubt ready for a smartass retort, when the front door flings open. We jerk apart as though we’ve been burned. I turn to see who interrupted our kiss.
Lovely.
“Hey, Roan,” I squeak out, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Roan’s amber eyes that match mine exactly narrow as he regards Kayden. “What’s going on here?”
I glower at my brother, crossing my arms over my chest. “We’re studying.”
Since when does Roan have a problem with Kayden coming over? He’s one of my best friends. It’s always been that way.
“Studying?” Roan cracks his neck and then glares at Kayden. “Probably time to go, kid.”
Kayden, who once used to be intimidated as hell by my brother, lets out a derisive snort. “I’m not a kid.”
Oh, great.
“Ignore him,” I tell Kayden, clutching his arm through his hoodie. “He’s just grumpy because his honeymoon’s over. I’ll talk to you later.”
I can tell Kayden really wants to kiss me by the way his eyes dart to my lips, but I give him a warning glare. Now is not the time to admit to Roan I’m seeing Kayden romantically. And certainly not by kissing in front of him. I need to ease into telling my brother because I know he’ll be overprotective about it. If Kayden kisses me, Roan will lose his shit and probably tackle him.
Ugh.
I wish Hollis were here.
He diffuses every situation that involves my brother.
“Later,” Kayden grunts out as he walks away and slams the door.
I flinch. “Hey. I thought you had work.”
Roan studies me for a long couple of beats. “I told you I had something to take care of. I don’t go back to work yet.”
“Oh,” I utter. “That’s right. So what’s up?”