Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
I exploded, eyes closing as my world filled with stars. Waves of pleasure rolled through me as I spasmed, and then he was coming, too. I felt his cock pulse as he collapsed over me, his face falling into my shoulder.
We lay there for long seconds, catching our breath as I tried to process what’d just happened. That was the best second date I’d ever had in my life.
Chemistry. Pure chemistry.
I’d felt it when he’d kissed me. I’d known we’d be incredible together. But Rome wanted more than sex—he wanted me. Whatever this was, it was just the beginning.
Damn… Maybe moving back to Hallies Falls wouldn’t be so bad after all.
I’d never seen a unicorn in Missoula. Not even one.
Chapter Nine
“So how was it?” Lexi said, smirking as she grated cheese for our special macaroni. “Did you do anything stupid?”
I thought about my afternoon with Rome. After that first explosive time together, we’d gone slower. He’d kissed every inch of me, driving me crazy with his tongue until I thought I might die. Then he’d done it again.
“Probably,” I admitted.
“And how many times did you do this stupid thing?”
“More than once, not that it’s any of your business,” I said, stirring the pot. We liked to start out with the packaged stuff as the base, but over the years we’d added extras. Sour cream, sharp white cheddar. When the budget was flush, I’d spring for some parmesan across the top. Special macaroni and cheese was the shit. “But I do have something to tell you. Something important.”
“What’s that?” she asked, setting down the cheese. I glanced toward the living room, making sure that Kayden wasn’t listening. The kid had his earbuds in and he was busy playing Minecraft. I took a deep breath, then hesitated. Once I told her, I was committed. Was I ready?
Yes. Yes, I was.
“I’m moving back to Hallies Falls,” I told her. A flash of excitement crossed her face, then she clamped it down, wary.
“That’s not funny,” she whispered. “Don’t say that unless you mean it.”
“I’m moving back to Hallies Falls,” I repeated, the words slow and steady. “I’ll give notice when I get back home. Even if I don’t get that job I interviewed for, there has to be something I can do around here. We’ll stay in this apartment until I make some money. Then we’re going to find something better. I promise.”
Lexi crumpled, flying into my arms and hugging me so tight I could hardly breathe. “Thank you. Thank you so much! It’s been so hard here. I can’t even tell you how hard.”
“I know.” Rubbing her back, I thought about all the years I’d spent taking care of the kids while Mom was out partying. She’d usually held down a job, right up to the day her back blew out. I had to give her credit for that. But I’d still been the one cooking dinner, scouring thrift stores for clothing, and making sure everyone got their homework done.
I’d done well, too. Aiden and Isaac had both graduated high school, and they were building real lives for themselves.
Lexi and Kayden deserved the same chance.
“Please tell me this isn’t about Rome,” she whispered, the words muffled. “I know you like him, but he’s going to be trouble—you came back from your first date with a black eye. He’s going to break your heart and then you’ll leave us again.”
I thought about my afternoon with him, wondering if she was right—not about me leaving them. I’d made my decision. But the whole broken heart thing… That could definitely happen.
But it wasn’t like he’d made any promises—he just wanted me to give it a chance. I wasn’t used to taking chances. Taking chances meant taking risks, and most of my life had been damage control. Doing the right thing. Being the grownup. And now I had a lot more adulting ahead of me.
Having a little fun along the way might just save me.
“This has nothing to do with Rome,” I told Lexi, and it was the truth. “I’d already decided this morning. I’m going to try dating him, but I’m not counting on anything from him. My priority is us. You, me, Kayden, and Mom. But let’s not tell Kayden yet, because it could take a while. I have to give notice and deal with my apartment and stuff.”
Lexi pulled back, revealing dark streaks of mascara running down her cheeks. She looked just like she had years ago, when I’d caught her playing in my makeup. Back then, she’d been crying because she’d thought she’d turned into a beautiful princess.
Then Aiden told her she was an ugly clown.
I’d wiped her cheeks and told her how wonderful her life was going to be. How someday, she’d be prettier than anyone Aiden had ever seen, and she wouldn’t even need makeup.