Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Here,” he offers. Taking it from him, I place it in my mouth, and he flicks open a Zippo, lighting the end. I puff, trying to get it started. The red cherry illuminates his face in orange and red shadows as I pull it to life.
“There ya go,” he whispers, closing the lighter.
I take a lengthy drag, and my lungs resist. I exhale some, and my eyes water, my body wracking with the urge to cough. Unable to hold it any longer, I bark out, my lungs burning like hell.
He pats my back.
“Easy, girl.”
“Holy shit,” I croak, handing it back to him. His fingers brush mine for a split second, and our eyes meet. His pine-colored irises darker than ever and watching me.
Silence falls between us, the moon highlighting certain features of his face. I lick my bottom lip, still searching his face, committing it to memory.
“Do you want me?” he asks, and my eyes widen. Thinking back on all the times my body reacted to being near him, I begin to sway into him. Jerking myself back, I mask my desire with laughter. Hoping he can’t see how much I’m into him.
“Excuse me?” I say, biting back a smile.
“I meet pretty woman all the time. I can always see lust burning in their eyes, but you…I can’t read you.”
“Maybe because I’m with someone,” I say, pulling the boyfriend card—I mean, I haven’t successfully kicked Heston out yet.
“Nah, that’s not it,” he replies, his eyes narrow, looking down at his hands. I forget he knows Heston and me are not a happy couple, so my lack of jumping in his bed right away seems to really confuse him. Not wanting to divulge what I’m feeling, especially when I’m high, I decide to have some fun with him.
“Do I keep you up at night?” I whisper. Maybe it’s the weed, or maybe I really want to know, because he keeps me up. I’m always thinking about him and his smart-ass mouth.
He smiles, the grin on his face as sharp as a knife. “Answer my question, and I’ll answer yours.” He raises a brow, playing games with me.
Biting my inner cheek, I think for a second. My thoughts slower than before, my body feeling relaxed, I say, “Yes, you’re hot. I just do my best to restrain myself and act like a lady. How am I doing?” I bat my lashes at him.
He takes another drag, blowing it into the air.
“To answer your question, I don’t think about you.”
Well, damn. Okay then. I begin to laugh, and his smile fades. Clearly, he was hoping I’d be distraught by his answer. He carefully pulled me in so he could get off on being an ass in the end. He better get in line behind the other two men in my life if he wants a reaction.
My head feeling too heavy, I rest it on his shoulder. It’s strong and warm, and his cologne divine. My body caressing his for his warmth and touch. He’s so full of muscles but his skin is so soft. Pulling my hand up, I trace the crucifix tattoo on his lower arm with my index finger. I want a tattoo, but what would I get?
“You good?” His voice echoes, the melody so soothing that I close my eyes and lean into him a little more. The feeling of being safe and not alone is a lullaby I’ve missed recently. I could lie here all night, but being in his arms comforts me more than I’m aware, and I become sleepy.
“I’m definitely high.” I laugh.
“You sure you’re alright?” he asks, his voice rough but smooth at the same time. Like an old country song. His hand brushes the side of my face, the sound of crickets, frogs, and him slowly drifting into nothing.
29
My mouth dry and throat parched, I shift, nearly falling. Opening my eyes, I find myself in my bed. How’d I get here? Last I remember, I was on the porch with Rhodes. Did he bring me in here?
I throw the blankets off me and rub my hands over my face. God last night…There was definite flirting, and my restraint was hidden under a haze, allowing me to admit I find him attractive.
Getting up, I grab my robe and put it on. Last night replays in my head so loudly, I almost don’t hear the racket from the kitchen. My vibe is quickly extinguished because Heston is still here. Today is the day I make Heston leave for good. No more distractions. No more twisting my words. I’m not trying to leave Heston and jump right into Rhodes’ bed, but there is something between us for sure, and I can’t sleep at night knowing I’m feeling the things I am for the guy while still being bound to the monster in my kitchen. I may be a lot of things, but I won’t be a cheater.