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)
“We need to talk tomorrow,” I told her, looking around the small bedroom she shared with our nine-year-old brother, Kayden. It was small, with bunk beds and dirty laundry everywhere. “It sounds like there’s more going on here than I realized.”
“Talking tomorrow works for me, but for now, all you need to do is strut your stuff and enjoy,” Lexi said, her serious mood evaporating. “Go out. Have fun. Then come back and tell me all about it.”
With that, she flashed a smile at me and then headed down the hallway, singing to herself. She could’ve been four years old again. Damn, that girl was hard to wrap my head around. Grabbing my phone, I checked the time. Ten minutes after seven. Hmm, he was late. Was there any chance he’d stand me up? Now that would suck.
Except we hadn’t even exchanged numbers, so if he was running late, it wasn’t like he’d be able to text me.
Oops.
I double checked my makeup (casual but careful) and straightened my boobs—which looked seriously good, because Lexi’s bra was top quality—then wandered down the hallway after my sister.
I found her in the living room, eating a bowl of cereal with Kayden. Cartoons blared from the TV—a giant flatscreen that my mom had somehow managed to buy, despite the fact that she couldn’t afford real food for the kids.
“Don’t worry, Rome will show up,” Lexi said, staring at the TV. It was like she could read my mind or something. “I saw how he watched you.”
As if summoned by her words, a motorcycle roared outside. Kayden ran to the window.
“Your boyfriend is here!” he shouted. I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, then hustled for the door, because no way I wanted Rome coming into the apartment. God only knew what might happen if Lexi took another run at him.
Moving quickly, I grabbed my little purse and headed out to meet him by the curb. He cut the engine, then pulled off his helmet to look at me with those gorgeous, dark brown eyes of his. His jeans were worn, cradling his body like I wanted to, and he wore a button-down flannel shirt—the neck open just enough to show me a hint of a white T-shirt—under his Reapers MC vest.
Oh, holy crap, somehow between this morning and this afternoon, I’d forgotten how attractive he was.
I mean, I’d remembered him as being hot, and when I’d seen him in the grocery store, I’d felt felt that heat. But he’d also taken me totally off guard. I’d halfway convinced myself that I’d imagined how much I wanted to jump him.
But Rome was the real deal.
My heart started beating faster, and suddenly the scoop-necked blouse I wore was way too warm in the heat. Was I having a hot flash?
No, fuckwit. You’re just in lust.
Fair enough. I wanted to lick him all over. The thought sent a shiver of joy-slash-terror through me. Some of it was physical—the guy was just a solid wall of hard, male muscle—but there was something else, too. Something intangible. Something that made the space between my legs clench, and wish we were naked and alone, despite the fact that I knew almost nothing of what kind of person he’d become.
Chemistry.
This was pure chemistry, and we’d had it from the very first. Our eyes had met across that keg and it was all over… Now Rome’s eyes found mine again, and that same spark I was feeling flared in their depths.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he said, his face softening. I blinked, every bit as mesmerized as I’d felt at the grocery store. He leaned forward, still sitting on the bike, and caught my hand, pulling me toward him. “I’m gonna kiss you.”
“Yes, please,” I whispered, brain fully disengaged. His hand came up and caught the back of my head, then our lips met and I died a little.
He’d kissed me twice before, years ago. Those kisses had been soft. Devastating and intense, but very gentle. Sweet.
This was totally different. This came hard and fast, his mouth overwhelming mine with a powerful, masculine hunger I hadn’t expected. His tongue thrust against the seam of my lips, and when I didn’t immediately open, his teeth followed, nipping just enough to startle me. I gasped, and then he was inside.
There was nothing sweet about him right now.
Rome’s hand twisted in my hair, holding my head captive as his tongue pushed inside my mouth. Fire exploded through me, a deep well of heat settling between my legs. My hands reached up to catch his shoulders and then I was all in, giving as good as he gave me.
His other arm came around my waist, crushing me against him. This wasn’t nearly as awkward as it should’ve been, considering he was still on the bike. Maybe we could just skip dinner. Go straight to the fun part of the date…