Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Everleigh groans and rolls her eyes. “I’m a grown-ass woman and will do what and who I want when I want.”
I snicker. “This is very true.”
“Of course it is,” Gemma says, then leans across the table. “And I know how you like those bad boys.”
“Damn straight,” she admits. “And honestly, Tyler can act like I’m his innocent little sister all he wants. He has no idea how dirty I can be.”
“No, he doesn’t,” I say, and my eyes go wide when Tyler walks up behind Gemma and Everleigh.
“He’s behind me, isn’t he?” Everleigh asks, and I nod.
“Maybe I should be giving you the speech then,” Tyler says as Gemma turns around and wraps her arms around his waist. He bends down and kisses her forehead. “Are we early?”
“No, you’re right on time. It officially ended about fifteen minutes ago,” I confirm.
Noah enters with Smith, Jerry, Elliot, and my dad. “The cleanup crew has arrived,” I say with a grin as they start folding chairs and tables, sweeping, and taking out the trash. Noah and my parents load the gifts in their SUV because they won’t all fit in my car.
After everything is spotless in the event center, Noah comes over to me and gives me a sweet kiss. “Did you have fun?”
“Actually, it wasn’t so bad. I had a great time. It was a beautiful party, and everyone was overly generous,” I admit.
He kisses me on my forehead. “Glad to hear that, baby.”
On the way out, I see Tyler and Gemma standing by their car with Everleigh, who looks distraught. Immediately my brows furrow as we walk toward them.
“What’s going on?” I ask, knowing something’s wrong.
Tyler sucks in a deep breath and releases it. “Eric’s been murdered.”
A knot forms in my throat, and I’m not sure I heard him correctly even though he didn’t stutter.
Noah rests his hand on my shoulder as Tyler continues. “His body was found and an acquaintance called to let me know since I was one of the last people in contact with him.”
“It was probably his wife. She was livid. I just…” Everleigh’s voice cracks, and she doesn’t continue.
A sad expression meets Tyler’s face. “I didn’t even know he got married after everything that happened with Amara. He never told me.”
Gemma swallows hard, then clears her throat. “You don’t think… I don’t even want to say it out loud.”
“What?” I ask her.
“You don’t think his wife would come after Everleigh next?”
Everleigh lifts her head, then looks directly at Gemma. “She better not.”
“No one knows who’s responsible yet, so we can’t jump to conclusions. Eric had his hand in a lot of shit. Some of it I know about, most of it I don’t. It could’ve literally been anyone.”
Somehow, Tyler’s words relieve my anxiety over the whole situation, but I can’t help but feel a surge of guilt stream through me, knowing what he risked to help us. “This makes me really sad,” I say.
“Me too,” Noah confirms. “I’m really sorry to hear this.”
“Yeah, me as well,” Tyler says. “If I find out anything else, I’ll keep you all updated.”
We give our thanks, then say our goodbyes, not leaving as happy as we should.
On the way home, Noah rests his palm on my thigh as I lean my head back on the seat.
“Owen’s still hanging out with Anthony,” he says. “Pretty sure he’s going to want to stay over there.”
“Is that code for something?” I ask.
“Abso-fucking-lutely,” he tells me as we pull into the driveway.
Noah leads me up the porch steps and inside to the bedroom. “Your mom and dad aren’t stopping by for at least an hour with the gifts,” he whispers across my neck, slowly undressing me.
“Oh this won’t take me long,” I say, then carefully waddle to the bed completely naked.
Noah’s gentle as he parts my legs and devours me like I’m his last meal. His tongue flicks and flutters against my clit, and as I suck in air, I feel as if I’m floating into outer space. My body begs for more of him while chasing my release, and when he slips two fingers inside, I nearly lose it.
My legs tremble, and he teases and sucks me until I nearly break in half. “Please,” I beg, running my fingers through his hair and tugging him back to my clit. Noah laughs against my inner thigh and presses kisses before returning to where I want him. “You’re such a greedy little thing, and I love it.”
“Make me come,” I demand, not wanting to teeter on the edge any longer.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replies, and when he places my bud in his mouth and sucks, I lose all control. “Yes, baby,” he whispers as my body convulses, and I ride the wave of satisfaction.
“Fuck me,” I tell him, positioning myself up on two elbows.
Seconds later, Noah’s grabbing my ankles and sliding me to the edge of the mattress. “I kinda like you being all dominant in the bedroom like this. It’s hot as hell.”