Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“No, the water is nice,” he starts, reaching out and wrapping his big hand around my waist. When he pulls me close enough to touch, he adds, “The view is amazing.”
I place my hands on his chest and glance down. “Yes, I do believe the view is quite splendid.”
He chuckles, pulling me against his body and lifting me. My legs wrap around his waist and my arms around his neck. I can’t help but glance back toward the house, just to make sure we’re alone. “I’ve got you, Sunshine. I’ll watch the house; you just hold on to me.”
So I do. We float together for what feels like forever, each making small talk about our day and even going as far as to discuss what we could make for dinner. It’s nice, relaxing, and enjoyable. The perfect way to spend part of the afternoon.
While floating, I finally get up the nerve to ask him the one question I need to ask. “Can I ask you something?”
“You can always ask me anything,” he says, his hand rubbing lightly on my arm.
“There have been news stories about you and Gisele Sorenson,” I start, and when he opens his mouth, I quickly add, “I don’t need the details or anything, but I do need to know if there’s something there between you two. I know you’re a casual guy, and I wouldn’t fault you if there were, but I just need to know where you stand with her.” I feel like I’m breathing hard suddenly.
He meets my gaze head-on as he says, “There’s absolutely nothing there, Sunshine. Nothing at all. She’s a friend of a friend, I swear.” He explains how the photo caught a moment that looked like passion, but in reality, it was a quick kiss on the cheek as she came to say goodbye. She was off to have dinner with friends, and after spending time with him and others that afternoon, she was leaving to get ready. “Besides, how can I think about anyone else, when you’re all I see?”
My heart flutters in my chest with the force of a hundred butterflies, and I know by the sincerity in his eyes I believe him. “Okay.”
We continue to float for a while longer, until what feels like too soon, Brock leans in, pressing his lips to the corner of my mouth. “I’ve really enjoyed this.”
“Me too,” I whisper, knowing our time together has come to an end. I hug him tightly and try to ignore the way my nipples pebble against my bikini top.
He slowly lets me go and swims back a few feet. “He’s in the kitchen and just spotted the pool gate open.”
I nod, moving myself away from Brock, even though it’s the last thing I want to do.
It only takes a few minutes before I hear the back door open. “What’s going on out here?” Caleb hollers, stepping through the gate and heading our way.
“Just a little afternoon swimming. How was your meeting with Daddy Dearest?” I ask, slowly floating toward the shallow end where he stands.
He groans. “Fine. He wants to go over a few things he wants me to work on,” he states, rolling his eyes. “I know he knows his shit about football, but it’s hard to know when it’s coming from the coach or the dad side of him.”
I head up the steps and meet my brother on the concrete. “Probably a little of both,” I say, going up on my tiptoes and kissing his scruffy cheek.
“Where’re you goin’?” he asks, kicking off his shoes and plopping down in the lounge chair Brock sat in earlier.
“To rest. I’ve been out in the sun for a while. I’ll be back down later to make dinner.” I grab my cover-up and slip it over my head, stealing a quick peek at Brock in the pool. As suspected, his eyes watch my every move.
“You don’t need to do that. You’re not staying here to cook for us. We can order something.”
I wave off his comment. “I already have a plan for dinner. You can buy tomorrow night,” I state with a wink.
“Deal. See you in a bit,” he replies, shoving his arms behind his head and kicking his feet up.
I glance back to the pool and find Brock leaning against the side of the pool, most likely concealing the erection I felt while we were swimming. “Bye, Brock.”
“Later, Joey.”
Grabbing my book and phone, I move inside and toward my room. The moment I step over the threshold, I can smell his aftershave. It only takes a moment to spot the note sitting on my pillow.
The handsome prince had the hardest time sleeping last night. Memories of the fair maiden’s moans of pleasure and the way she tasted against his lips plagued his thoughts and monopolized his dreams. He even found it difficult to concentrate at work. Things were hard for the prince, you may say.