Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
His eyebrows rise infinitesimally, and of course he’s every bit in control of himself as always.
“Did you really?”
“But we didn’t do it!”
“Because…”
“Because we… we became friends,” I finish lamely.
Is it my imagination, or did he just move closer to me? And did it just get hotter in here?
“Friends?” he repeats. “Friends?”
“Aren’t we friends?”
“Maybe I should show you exactly how much more than friends we are. I have half a mind to tear your clothes off, spank your gorgeous ass red, then eat that pretty pink pussy of yours out until you come.”
“And, uh, so what does the other half of your mind say?”
He narrows his eyes slightly. “It’s a figure of speech. It’s more like eighty percent of my mind that wants to do that.”
“And… the other twenty percent?”
Why are we sparring? Why am I even listening to him? He admitted he put Raul up to this.
His gaze softens, and he holds my hand. “The other twenty percent wants to hold you. And listen to you. And assure you that I love you.”
Did he just say what I think he said?
“You don’t play fair,” I whisper.
“No, babe. And I have no regrets.”
I feel like talking is my only chance of holding onto any of the control in this conversation. “So. Back to the friends thing. Good couples are built on solid friendships, though.”
He reaches for my waist and yanks me right over his lap. My knees straddle his very sturdy, very sexy thighs. It makes me mad that I’m so damn turned on when I’m still mad at him.
“That’s not fair!”
“What’s not fair?”
“Seducing me mid-conversation.”
“Who’s seducing you?”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, right, I’m supposed to pretend that isn’t your very ready cock on my ass, and your sexy as sin body isn’t fully primed to fuck me into next Tuesday? Hmm?”
He shrugs.
“Miguel,” I say, softer this time, forgetting why I was angry. “This… I don’t know if this can work out.”
“Talk to me, babe.” There’s an uncompromising edge to his tone I know to heed. He’s holding onto self-control, but barely. And I don’t know if I want to find out what happens when he loses that grip.
“I’m sad that you did this.”
He reaches his hands to my face and cradles my cheeks, holding my gaze on his. “Baby. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Like an ass, I figured Raul would know that I didn’t want to pursue my arrogant, selfish plan to drive you out.”
Oh. Oh. Well, when he puts it that way…
“And that’s on me. I should’ve communicated to him. I shouldn’t have thought that something so potentially damaging would resolve itself without my interference.”
“You really should have,” I say, feeling my lower lip protrude.
“Come here.” He tugs me down to him, and I put my head on his shoulder.
“The girls will need some convincing. They really think you’re a jerk.”
“I can be a jerk. You know that.”
Something tells me that if he will at least admit to this, he isn’t as bad as one might think.
“Jerks don’t take in their abandoned nieces,” I say softly, playing with the stubble on his cheek while he runs his hand along my lower back.
He shrugs.
“Jerks don’t drop everything to go find a missing mom.”
He goes still.
“Jerks don’t bring in puppies to sleep with troubled children, or learn how to braid hair, or accept every dorky, quirky thing about me.”
His voice is a low rumble, and my body begins to hum with need. “You say dork, I say irresistible.”
More melting.
I sigh. “I’m sorry I got angry with you.”
“You had every right to be angry with me. But I’m glad you talked with me. How many wars could’ve been avoided if people just talked shit out?”
“Perhaps… all of them?”
“Perhaps.”
His hand running over my back lowers to my ass, and I shiver. Yum.
“I need to call the girls.”
“They can wait,” he whispers, laying me flat on my back.
“But they’ll want to know—”
“They’ll know.” Off comes my top. Fling. Thwomp. Gonzo.
“How?” I breathe, my hips rising to help him continue the undressing.
“I texted Raul. My cousin’s spent more on smoothies than I have on cars, and that’s saying something. Let’s just say Madison and Raul may have a bit of a history at this point.”
“Oh my God, she’s been holding out on me!”
“She’s so been holding out on you.”
I look down at myself, only mildly surprised to see I’m nearly completely divested of my clothing, save one little scrap of lacy panties.
“Oh my God, if Toni comes wandering out for a glass of water or something…”
“I’ll hear her before she even gets to the stairs, and even if she made it downstairs, I’d snag that blanket and cover you up before she could even see you. You’ve got a flight of stairs and a wall separating you.”
“You’ve removed every roadblock between me and you, haven’t you?”