Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 148188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
“Watch it,” he mumbles under his breath. I ignore him, coming to a stop beside the front door of the gym. Again, I’m in yoga pants and a sweater, trying to blend in. I pull down my ball cap lower. I stole it from my dad last night when I went over for dinner.
It was bittersweet. We’d all gone over together to celebrate Sean and Alyssa. She is madly in love and getting married. Which means that she is moving out. I am so happy for her but I know my life is going to change. I’d felt something else last night as I watched her and Sean. It’s not jealousy but a longing to have the kind of love that they’ve found. Alyssa has always been a happy person, but now there is something new in her eyes.
Love and dating have never been my thing. To be honest, the idea of marriage was never something that appealed to me either. Which is crazy because my parents are madly in love with each other. Now this longing is suddenly inside of me and it’s not going away. I easily tire of things. My mind often drifts from one thing to another. So the thought of wanting to settle down surprises me.
Yet, my mind isn’t drifting away from Tomas. All of my thoughts and attention have been focused on him. I haven't worked on anything in days. Every time I try, I find myself thinking about what he’s doing. Is he thinking about me? I’m driving myself crazy.
Forget it. I’m going to face this head-on. I know he has no way to find me. I’m going to go into the gym, tell him where I’ll be and then if he wants to see me, he can come for me. We can hang out and do stuff together. My thighs clench when I think about the things we’ve already done. I wouldn't mind more of that. I couldn't sate the need myself. I tried. It was nowhere near as good as when he did it. My nipples tighten in the sports bra I have on. Yes, I just need another taste of him.
I grab the door, pulling it open. I'm determined and on a new mission. I freeze when I see Tomas. He’s not looking at me but the man with the shiner I’d seen yesterday. In the blink of an eye, he launches himself at him. Everyone jumps in, trying to grab him.
“Little help here,” the older man from yesterday says, looking right at me. How the hell am I going to help? I’d die if I got into the middle of all that. I do the only thing I can.
“Tomas, stop!” I shout. He actually does. Bruno goes running halfway across the gym to get away from him. Tomas turns his head, his eyes locking right on me. My whole body lights up with need. His stare causes me to get wet between my thighs. He looks so hot. I’m not sure what they were fighting about, but my man looks deadly. For some reason that turns me on even more. Wait. Did I just refer to him as my man?
“Let me go.” Each man that has a hold on him lets him go, stepping back.
“You shouldn't punch people for free.” I push my glasses up my nose.
“Sometimes it feels good to hit something.” I’m not sure how to take that. Maybe it should scare me but it doesn't. There is something about his aggression that pulls me toward him. I want to soothe it. To calm him. To hold him in my arms and protect him against the world. I almost laugh at my last thought.
I walk over to him. My arms go around his neck, pulling him down to me. He comes without question. His mouth meets mine. My eyes fall closed with a sigh coming from my lips. For the first time in days I feel settled. He pulls me into his body, his tongue parting my lips to deepen the kiss. I open for him, suddenly needing him more than I need my next breath.
My arms tighten around him. Why did I run that morning? I can’t even remember. Everything else ceases to matter right now as I kiss him back. I take what I want. What I’ve been starving for. Someone clears their throat, reminding me that we’re in a gym full of other men. I slowly pull back, looking up at Tomas.
“Still want to punch anyone?”
“Depends if you’re going to run or not.”
I lick my lips. “Not right now.” I make no promises that I won’t at some point. I am a runner. I wouldn’t consider it running actually, more like drifting. It is my nature. Not one I’m sure I can ever break.
“You’re going to be the death of me.” His hold on me tightens.