Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 94205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Awesome. Just what I needed to hear today.” Suddenly, everything that had happened today rocked through her. She just couldn’t stand much more. Her legs gave way, and she slid down the wall, sitting on her butt.
“Lara! What is it? What’s wrong?” He rushed over and crouched down next to her, running his hands over her.
Damn. Was that supposed to feel nice?
Because it did.
“Fuck. Tanner should have insisted you go to the hospital.”
“I didn’t want to. I wasn’t injured. I’m fine.”
“Doesn’t matter. His first concern should have been to see to your care. And he didn’t do that. I’m going to have words with him.” His face tightened.
“Just don’t punch him in the eye. He needs his face bruise-free this weekend. I don’t know why. That’s just what he said. And don’t be mad at him. I said I didn’t want to go.”
“He should have picked you up and carried you.”
“And I would have spent the next ten years paying off the bill.” She smiled wearily.
He gave her an intense look. “Tell me what hurts.”
“Nothing. I promise. I’m just really tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Fuck. Guess that means I shouldn’t scold you tonight.”
“I thought you already did.” Her bottom lip went out in a pout. “You were going to scold me more? That’s not very nice.”
“That wasn’t a proper scolding and put that lip away,” he warned.
She shook her head.
“Lara, put it away right now. Pouting is a spankable offense.”
“It is not!”
“It should be!” His face softened. “Come on, baby girl, let’s get you into bed.”
“Damn, thought you’d never offer.” Whoops, fatigue was loosening her tongue. She pushed his hands away as he reached for her. “I can do it. You shouldn’t be lifting me. I’m too heavy. I’ll hurt your back.”
He ignored her and lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the bed. “Girl, you should be glad you’re not actually mine, or your ass would be toast right now.”
“You’re dying to spank it, aren’t you?”
“You bet.”
“It’s really big. Nice target for your hand.”
“I’m about to forget about consent and just spank your ass.” He gave her a stern look. “Keep going. I’ll do it.”
She stared up at him, wide-eyed. “Okay, shutting up now.”
He set her down on the bed, then stood, looming over her. She took a moment to study him. The tattoos that peeked up above the collar of his shirt. His wide shoulders. The way that shirt clung to his muscular chest and arms.
Delicious.
She wished she was in his league.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” she blurted out. Then she smacked her hand against her forehead. “I can’t believe I’m only asking that now instead of before I asked you to go out with me. I mean, not go out with me, go to a wedding. I’m sure that if you did have a girlfriend, you wouldn’t have said yes. I don’t think she’d understand you being a fake date to a wedding. But why don’t you have a girlfriend? I mean, look at you.”
“Look at me?”
“Yeah, you’re you . . . I mean . . . shoot, I’m rambling. You can feel free to stop me at any time.”
“I think it’s cute.”
“You . . . you do?” she asked in wonder. Axel never had. He’d found her rambling annoying.
Urgh, she needed to stop thinking about Axel.
“I wouldn’t have said yes to coming to the wedding if I’d had a girlfriend. I wouldn’t put her in that position. And the reason I don’t have a girlfriend . . . I don’t know. Guess I haven’t wanted one.”
“Oh. Why not?” She winced after asking that. “Sorry. That was really nosy of me.”
He shrugged those massive shoulders. “I don’t know. Haven’t really dated much since my girlfriend moved away. But that was a long time ago.”
He must still have feelings for her. That was so sweet.
Sad for Lara, though. But it wasn’t like she had a chance with him, anyway. Even if it did seem like they had some chemistry sometimes.
“You could try finding her. How long ago did she move away?”
“Years. Too much time has passed. Anyway, we’re supposed to be getting you into bed. Although I should insist that you change motels.”
“I can’t afford it.” She yawned and lay down on the bed. She just needed to rest for a bit. Her head was so heavy. “My mom is paying for this motel. I’m pretty sure she chose the worst one she could find in the hope that I’d want to leave and stay at home.”
“And you don’t want to?”
“I’d rather go diving in shark-infested waters. It would be safer.” Her eyelids started to droop.
“What do you mean, it would be safer? Were you ever in danger at home?” he asked sharply.
She wanted to tell him, but knew she couldn’t. So she gave him a sleepy smile. “I’m safe. I’m not there. Moved away a long time ago. I didn’t like what happened today. I was scared.”