Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Hearing the sincerity in his voice, I chuckled, relaxing a wee bit. “Even in the height of winter?”
“Yes. We’ll get you a fur coat for whenever you have to go outside.”
“A fake one.”
“Absolutely.”
He gave my boobs a playful squeeze that made me squeal. Laughing, he stepped back. “Come on, before I can’t leave this room for anatomical reasons.”
I was still laughing as he gripped my hand and led me outside.
Other than Sierra wolf-whistling at me upon my appearance, I quickly forgot my self-consciousness as I lazed by the pool with my friends. Sebastian said we were lucky the weather was so pleasant. He informed us that sometimes April was very rainy and mild, but we’d stumbled upon a wee spring heat wave.
The boys and Sierra and Maddie fooled around in the pool. I did for a bit until the pull of the sun lounger drew me and I settled on it to study. Studying proved more difficult than I’d foreseen, however, and I ended up switching from my study notes on the iPad to my book app.
“Are you reading those filthy books you’ve gotten Sebastian into?” Zac called out to me mid pool volleyball.
Irritated, I replied, “They’re not filthy just because they have sex in them. Thrillers have sex in them, but people don’t call them filthy books.”
“She’s right,” Sebastian agreed. “They are excellent stories. The graphic sex scenes are merely a bonus.”
My lips twitched, but I kept reading.
At Zac’s snort of disbelief, Harry opined, “I think they’re rather good. I finished that one about the true crime podcaster who falls for the local sheriff. So many red herrings. I never would have guessed who the killer was.”
“Don’t spoil it for me!” Sierra cut him off. “I haven’t finished that one yet.”
Chuckling to myself, I delighted in my victory of having turned half of our friend group into romance readers.
The next day, I got up early to get some studying in while everyone slept. Once my friends were awake, we split as a group. Zac, Harry, and Maddie wanted to explore the village and Sebastian wanted to take me hiking along the river. I invited Sierra along because I knew she loved a good walk. Sebastian once more proved himself to be considerate as he tried not to be overly physically affectionate with me. I knew it was so Sierra didn’t feel like a third wheel, and I was grateful to him for it.
It was a lovely morning and as Sebastian guided us back to the villa, his long strides eating up the ground ahead of us, I looped my arm through Sierra’s and pulled her close.
“I’m glad we got to do this.”
She smiled, a hint of sadness in it. “I am too.”
“I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Don’t,” she muttered. “Every time I think about it, I want to cry.”
“We’ll see each other,” I vowed. “My postgrad schedule allows a better part-time job schedule next year. I’m going to save so I can come visit you.”
“I’ll come visit too.” She patted my hand. “I’m so beyond happy to see you this happy, Lil. You deserve someone who treats you like you’re precious because you are. And Sebastian treats you that way. He adores you.” Sierra grinned. “You brought down the ultimate playboy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t remind me of his previous wicked ways.”
“Oh, come on, you don’t need to worry about that. He’s over that phase of his life.”
“I know.” I shrugged.
“But …”
“No buts,” I whispered, not wanting Sebastian to overhear.
“There’s a but.”
I shot my boyfriend a look to make sure he was out of hearing range. “I didn’t miraculously turn into the most confident girl on the planet since dating him.”
“Meaning?”
“That maybe there will always be a small part of me that worries he might grow bored with me.”
Outrage flashed across my friend’s face. “Lily—”
“I know that’s my own insecurities talking. Believe me. I’m working on it.”
“He loves you.”
“I know he does,” I promised her. “Now, let’s talk about your love life. Are you planning on settling down any time soon, Sierra Palmer?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Nope. I have at least six more years before I need to think about taking that part of my life seriously. When I finally settle down, it will be safe in the knowledge that I’ve had enough sex to (a) not have any regrets, and (b) choose a life partner who knows what he is doing in the bedroom.”
I chuckled. “Good plan.”
“Does, uh, Mr. Thorne know what he’s doing?” she dared to ask.
I understood her hesitation. While I’d always been forthcoming with details of my past relationships or dates, I’d been stubbornly closed mouth about what was between me and Sebastian. “Ohhhh yes.”
“Really?”
“Aye.” I stared smugly at Sebastian. “Twice now I’ve almost blacked out.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“Well done, Mr. Thorne.”
“There should be a monetary reward for his achievements. He should teach classes. Men should pay him for those classes.”