Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Hi, baby.” I bent over and kissed Jericho’s head, giving his pointy ears the attention they deserved from me.
I strutted in my Wylder-purchased skinny jeans toward him, long-sleeved white tee with the arms pushed up to my elbows like he wore his long-sleeved shirts, and black boots. Straddling his crossed legs, I squatted while grabbing his laptop and setting it aside.
“Miss me?”
He rested his hands on the toes of my boots. “No.”
Pressing my hands to his chest, I lowered my mouth to his, grinning while I hovered a breath away. “Liar.” My mouth moved over his.
He didn’t surrender so easily. I would have been disappointed if he had. My tongue traced the seam of his lips as my right hand moved to the nape of his neck, gently caressing his hair.
His fuse ran out, shifting his hands from my boots to my face. Our one-sided teasing kiss turned into him lashing me with his tongue—almost punishingly. When his left hand threaded through my hair, pulling it hard, my lips ripped away from his, and his mouth sucked and bit its way down my neck. I knew my life would be hell if he left any marks on me. My father wouldn’t miss that.
“Where the fuck were you?” he whispered, his words coarse and chilling.
“To use some of your favorite words … it’s none of your business. However, I don’t keep secrets from you. I’m awesome like that. So … I’m staying at a hotel with my dad for the week. Longer if I don’t find a place to stay.”
He gripped my ass with his other hand and scooted me closer so his erection pressed between my legs. “You’re staying with me.” He nipped rather firmly on my exposed shoulder.
“I’m not sure my dad will go for that.”
“Then he can go fuck himself.”
I chuckled, closing my eyes because his mouth on me did really embarrassing things to my body. And I needed to focus on remembering where we were so I wouldn’t go to town dry humping him. “I’m not sure my dad is the kind who willingly sulks off to fuck himself. If I relay your message, I think he’ll be at your door, laser focused on fucking you up.”
His mouth bent into a tiny smile against my skin. I did it. I fell for a guy with an ego as big, if not bigger, than my dad’s. “I’m not worried about some elderly guy.”
I pulled away, reaching back to remove his hand from my hair. “Um … that’s my dad you’re talking about. He’s in his fifties. That’s not elderly. And he’s in really good shape. I wouldn’t take threats from him lightly.”
“You think your dad’s going to beat me up?” Slade’s head canted to the side.
“Going to? No. I won’t allow it. Capable?” I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I was thinking about that yesterday. Your age gives you the clear advantage, but my dad’s really smart, and you might be more impulsive, which could put you at a disadvantage if you underestimate him.”
“Fine. I won’t underestimate him. But … you’re staying with me.” His lips dragged along my neck.
“I can’t.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
“Wrong,” he murmured over my skin. “You’re too old to do what Daddy tells you to do.”
“But I’m officially mature enough to make decisions based on common sense and kindness, not just strong-willed knee-jerk reactions.” My fingers slid into his hair. “I love my dad. We’re each other’s rocks. We have been since my mom died. And I haven’t seen him in months. He’s done a lot for me since he’s been here. And while he makes it seem like he’s here just to make sure I get things settled, I know he’s staying because he misses me. He misses my mom. I’m her. In his eyes, I’m the best of her. So … I’m going to let him have that part of her for a week. It’s a blink in time.”
Wylder lifted his head as I caressed my fingers over his scruffy jawline. “You’ll need my help studying … a few hours … every night.”
I laughed. “I was valedictorian of my high school class. I’m here on a partial academic scholarship. I’ve never received anything but an A in a class … ever. I’m pretty sure you need my help more than I need yours.”
Lips parted, he drew his eyebrows together. “Studying is code for sex. Clearly, you’re not as smart as you claim to be.”
Tipping my chin, I gave him an unblinking expression. “I know what you meant. I just didn’t appreciate being the one who needed pretend help in your little scenario.”
“What if I graduated top of my class too? What if I’m a straight-A student too?”
My eyes widened. “Are you?”
“Fuck no. I’m just asking what if.”
More giggles ensued. I loved fun Wylder. “Well … then our studying together excuse wouldn’t be believable, so good thing I’m smarter.”