Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
It was my parents’ graduation gift to me. Seventy private luxury residences, including five duplex apartments and a penthouse, which was, of course, what my parents bought. My GMC Hummer EV 3X is parked in the basement. I didn’t use it today because Martin picked me up. Then again, if I had my own ride, I wouldn’t have met Tyler.
Ah, Tyler.
I’ve met and dined with other handsome men before, but no one like Tyler. The pure, undiluted sex appeal. The raw masculinity. Is it because of his massive frame, his physique, his tattoos, or his overall badass attitude? Hmm. Maybe all of the above.
The fact is, I don’t want this to be the last time we see each other. I feel like I’ll go crazy if I don’t see him again, which is bizarre. I was never clingy to Martin. Even if I didn’t see him in a week or two, it was fine. If I didn’t get any text messages, then I just went about my day.
But now, with Tyler, I’m getting anxious. Did I misread the lust mirroring my own back in his studio? Is he really just a nice guy who helps in any way he can? Or is there more?
I’m hoping it’s the last one.
He helps me down his motorcycle, holding out his hand so I can swing my leg over the bike. I should feel conscious because I have a dress on, but if he sees my underwear—an embarrassingly wet one at that—I’m totally fine with it.
Tyler stands there holding his helmet in one hand, tendrils of his black hair escaping his man bun. His dark brown eyes stare back at me, and I want to drown in those depths.
God, he’s so freaking sexy, even the piercing in the arch of his eyebrow, the three other hoops in his right ear, and black ink peeking out from under his shirt.
I realize I’ve been eyeing him up and down, so I hand him my helmet and feel shy all of a sudden. “Thanks for everything tonight, Tyler. I really appreciate it.”
Something flashes in his eyes, but it’s gone as quickly as it came. I wonder if I imagined it. “No problem. Besides, you’re going to see me tomorrow and the next day and the next. Personal chauffeur, remember?” He leans back to run his gaze along the building. “Although you probably have your own, am I right?”
For the first time, my parents’ wealth embarrasses me. “Not really. I drive my own car.”
“So our personal chauffeur thing is still on?”
My heart flutters in my chest. The last time I felt this excited was when Dad bought me my first car at sixteen. “Yes! I mean, you can also teach me how to ride a motorcycle. You know, I like to go big or go home.”
The side of his mouth lifts, making my core pulse. He has no business looking this good. “Go big, huh? You can call this bike. That’s one syllable. ‘Motorcycle’ is a bit of a mouthful.”
“Maybe I like my mouth full.” My mouth works faster than my brain, and I smack both palms to it in horror. Where the hell did that come from? Why did I say that? I don’t talk like this. Crap. Crap. Double crap.
Tyler’s eyelids droop briefly before lifting again, like he’s trying to process what I just said. Realization dawns, and his face splits into a wicked grin. “Do you, now? Because I won’t disappoint.”
“What?!”
“What?”
“What?”
“What?”
The absurdity of our conversation makes me burst out laughing. “Oh God. That was embarrassing. I’m sorry. I spit out the first thing that comes to mind when I’m nervous.”
“Do I make you nervous?”
“Yes! N-no. I mean…” I clench my hand and stare up at him. He’s so tall that I have to tilt my head back. “A little, maybe.”
“Is it a good kind of nervous?”
“There’s a good kind?”
Tyler shoves his hands into his pockets and lifts those broad shoulders, muscles rippling across them. I had no idea there was such a thing as toned, sculpted shoulders. What exercises does he do to get those? “You know, do I make you nervous because I intrigue you, or do I make you nervous because you feel unsafe around me?”
I wave both hands and shake my head simultaneously. Look at me losing all the grace and elegance I had a few hours ago. “Of course not! I feel safe around you, I swear. I wouldn’t have stayed in your studio if I didn’t.”
“Fair point.”
“I just … it’s … okay, how do I say it? It’s been a while since I was with someone I can be myself around.”
Tyler raises the pierced eyebrow. “So the guy…?”
I roll my eyes and let out an unladylike snort. My mother would get a conniption if she saw me behaving this way. “Martin has this image of me in his head. Always perfect. Always put together. Always says the right things at the right time.”