Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
He was standing before me and still had his hand outstretched, but I sat there on the floor, looking my fill like I'd never seen a gorgeous man in all my life.
He was tall, and not because I was at his feet. He had to be over six feet, and the suit he wore did nothing to hide his muscular physique.
His gray hair was cut short and brushed stylishly across his forehead. He had to be as old as my dad, but good God, the man made my body tingle in the most obnoxious way. I should have been embarrassed that I was openly gawking at this stranger, taking in the pure masculinity of his face and body. I was even digging the silver scruff covering his cheeks and jaw, like he either didn’t have time to shave or just didn’t give a shit about it.
“You gonna take what I’m offering, sweetheart?”
I sucked in a breath at those words. My mind went straight into the gutter. Sir, I’ll take whatever you offer. Thankfully, I was coherent enough and didn’t spew the word vomit. I took his hand and let him pull me up. My heels caught on the edge of my dress, and I stumbled forward, my palms slapping his chest, his hands gripping my waist.
“Easy there.” His voice was deep and low, his focus on me, his eyes half-lidded.
Damn, for a man his age, he was rock-solid. I could feel the definition under my hands and lightly curled my fingers against the buttery-soft, clearly expensive material of his suit before I knew what I was doing.
My face heated, and I forced myself out of his embrace, my gaze dropping to the ground, where I saw an enormous bouquet by his feet. I went to pick it up at the same time he bent down for it, and our heads bumped together.
I groaned, touched my forehead, and looked at him to see the mystery man smirking as he rubbed his temple.
My face was on fire at this point as I straightened. He rose, flowers in hand, and his smirk turned into a genuine smile.
“Sorry, darlin’.”
God, he had to stop with the endearments, because my panties would be obliterated by this… meet cute.
“Carter.” His name rolled off his tongue like how I imagined aged, expensive whisky would slide down your throat.
I licked my lip and felt my heart beat harder when his gaze lowered to watch the act. “M-Mina.” I briefly closed my eyes when I stuttered over my name. After clearing my throat, I composed myself so I could at least try to act like a grown-ass woman. “Are you here for the wedding?” My voice squeaked at the end, and I cleared it again. I certainly wasn’t a virgin, but it had been a long time since I’d been with a man sexually, and right now, it felt like my hormones were in overdrive.
I was pretty sure I’d never had this kind of physical reaction to another human being in my life. And I was here for it, even if I felt like a teenager fangirling over the hottest guy in school.
“Ah,” he said and glanced at the twin doors behind him that led to the reception hall. He rubbed the back of his neck, his brows pulled low as a scowl crossed his face. “Yeah. But really late. Shamefully so.” He looked back at me. “The wedding party will probably be pretty pissed at my tardy appearance.”
I gestured to my dress and smiled. “Well, this part of the bridal party isn’t pissed, so there's that, right?” Oh my God. Was I…? Was I flirting?
He flashed me a grin, showing straight, strong, white teeth. “I’m glad to hear that.”
My heart fluttered at the way he said that.
“I better give my congratulations and hope the bride forgives me,” he added.
I snorted. “I doubt she noticed. She’s had everyone so far up her ass that she hasn’t wanted for attention.” I felt my eyes widen as I looked down, feeling embarrassed all over again. “I’m sorry,” I whispered and glanced back up at him. “I have insert-foot-into-mouth disease, apparently.”
He chuckled deeply and held my gaze. Once again, I felt that tingling consume me. I heard this little voice whisper that I should throw caution and my inhibitions out the damn door and just jump this man’s bones right here and now.
“I’ll see you later, Mina.” He gave me a wink that went straight between my legs, and then he was walking away.
I stood there for long moments, just watching the way his broad shoulders rolled under his suit jacket and the wholly masculine swagger that had me literally fanning myself.
His words replayed in my head.
“I’ll see you later, Mina.”
Sounded more like a promise than anything else.
Chapter
Two
MINA
I stayed out in the hallway for another five minutes, was about to go back inside, when Cambry came out with Jackson’s arm wrapped around her waist. She giggled, smoothing her hand over his shirt as she stared up at him, not even noticing me as they walked toward me.