Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Maybe one more “date” wouldn’t be the end of the world.
“If I meet you tomorrow, we need to agree it’s the last time.”
“If you agree to meet me tomorrow, I’ll release your arm and let you leave. That’s all the ground I’m willing to cede at the moment.”
“Why?”
His eyes seem to darken. “Because I’m not finished with you yet.”
The truth is simple but hard to hear at the same time. I swallow, my stomach knotting up at the ominous way it sounds.
I won’t say I’m not finished with him because I would’ve been done with him already if I had my way.
I’m not entirely averse to the idea of him fucking me again, though. Especially when he holds my arm like this and gazes at me with that hungry look in his eyes.
“One more night. That’s all I’ll agree to.”
His grip on my arm loosens, and I tug it free.
He didn’t grip my arm hard enough to hurt me, but I still rub it, feeling the absence of his touch immediately.
“Tomorrow,” he says immovably. “I’m off, and so are you.”
I don’t know how he knows that. I didn’t tell him. “Fine. What time?”
“I’ll pick you up at two o’clock.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “That’s early.”
“If you want me to be sick of you by the end of the night, we’ll have to start early. It’s the only way there’s even a chance.”
I can’t help smiling. “I’m not that interesting, I promise.”
“You are to me.”
His words are so raw, so honest, they rip the breath from my lungs. I feel unsteady on my feet, having him brazenly say a thing like that to me.
I think it’s because I know he’s not dropping some bullshit line like most guys would be. He truly means it.
A lump forms in my throat, but I try to swallow it down.
I think I could like him, but he’s the last man in the world I’m allowed to like.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” I say softly.
He nods his head once, his gaze never leaving mine. “I look forward to it.”
His sincerity tugs on my heartstrings. It’s the thing I’ve desired most but never been able to find in a man.
It’s just my luck that it’s the first time I stumble across a man who might be everything I’ve always been looking for, and he might as well be locked up tight in Pandora’s box.
Chapter Eight
Hayden
When I pull into Gemma’s driveway this afternoon, the garage door is open, and Parker is out of the house as I instructed when I texted her this morning.
I’m not opposed to meeting her daughter, but Gemma clearly is, and the first part of our date has to take place at her house. It’s strategic.
Where possible, I like to kill as many birds with a single stone as I can, and I need to feed Gemma and let her neighbors know I’m around and not one to fuck with, so I swung by my brother’s house first.
“Come on, boy.” I leave my things in the car and call Hades out of my back seat.
I must fucking like her to let this massive dog shed all over my fucking car. It’s an atrocity.
Hades leaps out gracefully, standing proud and looking around at his new surroundings.
I hear the inner garage door open, and Gemma steps out of the house wearing a white tank top with blue-and-white-striped shorts. They look nautical and hot as hell on her pretty little ass. Just the sight of her smile makes me forget all about any damage the damn dog might have done to my nice leather interior.
Her bright smile drops, her expression growing alarmed as she sees the beast I brought with me. “Um… what is that?”
I smile faintly. “That’s a dog. His name is Hades.”
“Perfect name. He certainly looks like the devil’s dog.” Her wary gaze returns to me. “Why is your scary dog at my house?”
“Not my dog. Don’t have time for one. I borrowed one of my brother’s dogs. He has three—Zeus, Hades, and Hera. They’re the ones on the sign at his bar. This one looks the scariest, so he’s the one I brought.”
Wide-eyed, she says, “This dog looks like a bear and a monster had a baby and he’s the result.”
That’s a very apt description for Hades. He’s a black pit bull with blue eyes so light, they’re nearly colorless.
“He’s very well-trained,” I assure her since I can see he makes her uncomfortable. “You don’t have to be afraid of him. In fact, it’s better if you’re not. He can smell fear, and it makes him wary.”
Her gaze flits to mine. “Is there a reason you brought your brother’s scary-looking, fear-smelling dog to my house?”
“There is.” I glance toward her neighbor’s house, but no one is outside at the moment. “If your neighbors see this big boy hanging out in your yard, do you think they’ll sneak into it to smear cheese on the side of your house?”