Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“That’s the alcohol talking,” I mutter. I raise my shot, and everyone follows suit. Scarlett holds up her water bottle with a wide smile on her face.
“Down the hatch, ladies,” Jade announces, and we all tip our shots back.
Thankfully, they don’t drill me with more questions I don’t have answers to. Instead, we talk about jobs, kids, the guys, and so much more. We take more shots, and we even have a dance party.
That’s why I’m currently sitting on the edge of my seat, sweating my ass off. We’re all in the same state, hot, tired, and well past tipsy.
“You ready to head home?” Merrick asks.
“Yes, please.”
He smiles, and offers me his hand, which I take, allowing him to pull me up. We say our goodbyes, though it turns out everyone is leaving at the same time. We make our way outside in one large group. Lots of shouting goodbyes, waves, and honks fill the night air as everyone heads home.
“Are you okay with staying at my place tonight? I don’t want you to be alone in case you get sick in the middle of the night.”
“Aw, Merrick Kincaid, you like me,” I say, slurring my words.
“You’re not so bad,” he teases, reaching over and placing his hand on my thigh.
“I want to hold your hand,” I blurt. Before I have time to be embarrassed about what I’m asking for, Merrick turns his hand over, palm up, and I entwine my fingers through his.
“My place?” he asks again.
“Do I get to sleep in your bed again?”
“Yes.”
“Will you hold me?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“What do you want?” I counter. The alcohol is making me speak more freely.
“I want you in my bed. In my arms.”
“Naked?” I blurt.
He squeezes my hand. “Is that what you want?”
“Hell yes.” I squeak and slap my free hand over my mouth. “Truth serum,” I mutter, making him laugh.
“I don’t know. You’ve had a lot to drink, and I don’t want you to wake up with regrets in the morning.”
“I’m sober,” I say, forcing myself to sit up straighter in the seat. “Seeee,” I reply, making him laugh.
“If you say so.”
“I do. I’m a grown-ass woman, and I’m standing up for what I want, and I want to be naked in your bed with you, and I want you to hold me.”
“Two out of three isn’t bad,” he replies.
“I’m not drunk.”
“You are, Court.”
“Fine. I’ll drink water and eat some bread or crackers or something. We can watch a movie until I sober up.”
“Anything you want, gorgeous.”
“I want you naked.” I huff in irritation, making him laugh yet again. He’s pissing me off, so I close my eyes, letting my head rest on the seat, and drift off to sleep.
I wake with a start. My head is pounding, my mouth feels like cotton, and I have to pee. I toss off the covers and move Merrick’s arm that’s holding me tightly.
“You need help?” he asks groggily.
“No,” I croak. I stumble my way to the bathroom and close the door before turning on the light. I wince at the brightness and half blindly make my way to the toilet to relieve myself. I’m in another one of his T-shirts, but I don’t remember how I got in it. Once I handle my business, I wash my hands and spy that the toothbrush I used the last time I stayed is still in the holder next to his.
My heart stalls, then does a flip in my chest at the sight. That’s a piece of me, a piece he kept sitting in his bathroom. Grabbing the toothbrush, I quickly brush my teeth before using my hands to slurp down some of the ice-cold water.
With two of my three issues handled, I dig around in the medicine cabinet until I find a bottle of headache medicine and take two tablets, washing them down with another palm full of water. Turning off the light, I make my way back to bed.
“Better?” Merrick asks, holding the covers up so I can slide in next to him.
“Much. I don’t remember getting changed.”
“I helped you.”
“You should have just left me naked,” I grumble. The quiet shake of his body behind mine is my only indication that he heard me. I turn in his arms and place my hand against his cheek. “Why didn’t you?” I’m sober now. Well, sober-ish. Enough that I’m no longer slurring my words and still loose enough to be bold with my words.
“Because I didn’t want you to have regrets.”
“Would you regret it?”
“Never, Court. I will never regret any of my time with you,” he says, reverently.
I allow his words time to sink in before I make my choice. Sitting up, I wiggle until I have his T-shirt over my head and tossed to the floor. Lying back down, I fumble with my panties until they, too, are discarded.