Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“Bold of you to assume there’ll be a next time.”
His brows draw together as if he’s thinking deep thoughts. “Though beg is probably more accurate than ask.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Beg?”
“Would you prefer plead?”
“You’re an asshole and it’s too early for this level of trolling. Come back after I’ve had my first coffee.”
“Yeah,” he agrees with all due seriousness. “I am an asshole. But I am a very happy one, if that counts for anything.”
I shake my head and do not smile. Or at least, not much. “The scratches on your back really bring out the color in your eyes.”
“Funny,” he says. “I was just thinking how pretty the bruise is that I left on your breast. Though the one on your ass cheek isn’t bad either.”
I snort and sip my coffee. “Do they match the ones on your poor face?”
“We do match. That’s a cute couple thing, right?” He grabs one of the waiting bowls and carefully serves a heaping spoonful of whatever he’s been cooking. The bowl, along with silverware, is placed in front of me. “Hope you’re hungry.”
“I am. Wow. What is this?”
“It’s just a hash of bacon, sweet potato, peppers, onion, kale, zucchini, and fried eggs.”
“Thank you,” I say, picking up a fork. “That’s a lot of vegetables.”
He returns to the stove to serve himself. “I figure you’re going to need them to keep up with me. Stamina is important. I assume no hot sauce for you?”
“You assume correctly.” I spear a cube of sweet potato with my fork. It comes attached with a piece of kale. Not something that features anywhere on my list of top thousand things to eat. But there’s no way I’m insulting Connor after he went to the trouble of cooking for me.
“You can do it,” he whispers. “I believe in you.”
“Connor…”
“God, look at you, being so brave. It brings a tear to my eye, it truly does.”
I laugh and put the food in my mouth. The food is perfectly cooked and seasoned with garlic and lime. It is fucking delicious. “You’re a good cook.”
“Thank you.” He sets down his fork and picks up his cell. “Do that again. I’m going to take a picture. It feels like an important occasion.”
“You don’t think maybe you’re blowing this out of proportion?”
“Not a chance.”
“Sheesh. What’s with all the laughing and talking, Connor. I thought you were supposed to be surly and quiet.”
His smile wavers. “You want me to be quiet?”
“No,” I say adamantly. “I want to hear everything you’ve got to say.”
“You do, huh?”
I nod.
“Thanks, Blue.” The warmth in his gaze is wonderful. Waking up to a morning like this, to a man like him, is magic. I would not be angry if it happened more often. Like all the time.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. I clear my throat and say, “You cooked, so I’ll clean.”
“Yeah,” he says, looking at the pan and chopping board and all the rest. “I am not going to fight you on that.”
“Smart man.” My face hurts from smiling. He watches me in silence for a moment. Long enough for me to ask, “What?”
“Nothing. I just…I like that you’re here.”
“That’s handy. I like being here.”
“Good,” he says quietly.
I stab some more food with my fork and get busy eating. It really is delicious. Even with the kale. Connor eats standing up. Leaning his denim-clad ass against the kitchen counter with his bowl and fork in hand, he has a big smile on his face while watching me eat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this relaxed and happy. Getting laid is good for the man.
As for me, being railed by him has made my heart lighter than it has been in a long time. I’m content with the state of my little corner of the world. This could just be us hooking up and scratching an itch. Or maybe our fake dating is morphing into something real. I don’t know. But I refuse to overthink this. Much. Guess we’ll just see where it takes us.
“Get that idiot grin off your face,” says Ava. “You look ridiculous.”
“Hello to you too.” The sun is high in the clear blue sky when I fetch my straw sunhat out of the Jeep. Along with an extremely large iced coffee. Sometimes it just takes a few hours and multiple servings of caffeine to wake up. Such is life. “Looks like we got the last two parking spots within a mile.”
“The town picnic is always popular. Where’s Connor?”
“He dropped me at home and went to run some errands for Martha and his mom.”
She nods.
A cool summer breeze rustles the leaves on the nearby trees. Maple, ash, and oak are all here. Come autumn the colors will be amazing, and I fully intend to see them. Someone’s playing live jazz in the park. That, along with the chatter of many people, fills the midday air. The fairgrounds are next to the state park that takes up most of the point. And the whole town seems to be here.