Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“Too painful,” Brock says. “If I had a kid out there in the world, I’d want to know. It’d break my heart not to have the chance to be part of his or her life.”
I wonder if there’s the possibility that he has a lot of kids out there. I don’t know anything about Brock. Maybe he regularly has one-night stands. The thought makes something in my chest ache even though I don’t understand why. I just met the man. “Do you want kids?”
“With the right woman, I want a dozen of them.” He doesn’t even hesitate or pause to think through his answer. I love the way Brock is so open and honest with me this afternoon. It’s different from the closed-off guy he was earlier when he was on duty.
“And if she doesn’t want a dozen?” I’d love the chance to have a big family one day. Once my parents passed away, it was only me, my sister, and Nana. Zola left not long after she graduated high school to begin her successful modeling career.
“We can meet in the middle and have nine,” he responds, interrupting my thoughts about my sister and my desperate hopes that one day I’ll get to have a big, loud house filled with laughter and love from a family.
“I hope your kids don’t get your math skills,” I deadpan.
“Maybe they’ll have their mom’s way with words,” he says.
My cheeks heat. I can’t be understanding what he’s saying correctly. He didn’t just imply that he and I would have babies together, did he? No, I’m acting like a crazy person. I just misheard him. It’s time to change the subject before I’m the one that starts getting too honest. “Where are you taking me?”
He pulls the Jeep to a stop and grins. “We’re in Heavenly Village. The Gondola is the best way to truly experience Lake Tahoe. Are you scared of heights?”
When I tell him no, he takes my hand and leads me through a beautiful tourist area that’s filled with eateries, an art gallery, and even a store that only sells smoked meats.
Within just a few minutes, we’re squishing together into the gondola cab. The windows are a little scratched up, but it’s clean and besides, Brock’s thigh is pressed against mine. Even through our blue jeans, I feel the electric connection and I can’t help wondering if he does too.
“Whoa,” I murmur as soon as I see the snow-covered mountains come into view. The sight fills me with awe as the gondola climbs as high as the treetops. Snow flurries are in the air, giving the whole place a magical winter wonderland feel.
“Keep watching. It gets better.” Brock puts his arm around my shoulder despite the fact that we’re already close. But I don’t mind. I like the way he’s rubbing my shoulder though my jacket.
“This is incredible,” I gasp and reach for my cellphone. I can see Lake Tahoe from here. The smooth blue surface is shimmering in the afternoon sun, a breath-taking tribute to all of nature’s beauty.
I snap photos on my phone and even scribble a few words in my notes app. Brock doesn’t seem to mind that I’m determined to document this moment. I’m certain that my next book series is going to be set here.
When I finally stop with my notes, he says, “If you want to come back later this week, we can go skiing and snowboarding.”
I wrinkle my nose. “That sounds too coordination-ey.”
“Is that the official word for it?”
I nod. “You’re looking at the girl who figured out in seventh grade that the male PE teacher would panic and put you on the bleachers if you mentioned women’s issues. Guess who had period cramps every day for a solid two semesters.”
“Devious even back then.” Maybe it’s my imagination but he seems to be leaning even closer to me. His blue eyes are dark, a riptide in the ocean pulling me in.
“I prefer to think of it as starting my fiction career early,” I babble, suddenly nervous. Brock is hot, like really hot and he’s looking at me like he’s about to kiss me. I don’t have to contemplate the thought long because he drops his head and presses his lips against mine.
He’s a soft, slow kisser. The kind that takes his time, savoring the feel of our lips together. His hand cups my face, his thumb stroking along my jaw at the same time he traces the seam of my lips with his tongue.
I open my mouth, making a little whimper as I do. I’ve been kissed before but not like this. Not like I’m special and treasured. Someone to be cherished and protected.
He finally pulls away, his breathing ragged. He presses his forehead toward mine. “You taste even better than I imagined.”
Before I can say anything, the cab pulls to a stop with a groan. Or maybe that’s me. Maybe I’m the one groaning. Because I know one thing for sure after that kiss. If I’m not very careful, I could end up falling completely in love with Brock Parker.