Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 185811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 929(@200wpm)___ 743(@250wpm)___ 619(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 185811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 929(@200wpm)___ 743(@250wpm)___ 619(@300wpm)
“So you want to run the company?”
“No. Absolutely not.” My nose scrunches. “My dad was never around when I was growing up, and someday when I find the right guy, I want to have kids and focus on the whole Mom thing.”
“You wanna be a soccer mom?”
“If my kids are in soccer, sure.” I smile, and he chuckles. “I just want to be available if my children need me, and running a company like my dad’s wouldn’t allow me to do that.” I let out a breath. “Honestly, I just want a simple life. I want to make enough money to support myself so I never have to depend on another man again. I also don’t want my job to be my entire existence.”
“I get that,” he says quietly, then looks at my stomach when it growls loudly. “Hungry?”
“Yes, I didn’t eat today because I was nervous about what would happen when I took the test.”
“Let’s get you some food.” He grabs his cell out of the pocket of his suit. “How does pizza sound for dinner?”
“Good, but I’m buying.”
“Not happening,” he denies instantly, and I narrow my eyes. Since I’ve been staying here, he hasn’t let me give him any money, and the only way I’ve been able to help out is by picking up groceries when I see things are running low—and he made it clear that he doesn’t even want me doing that.
I’ve found cash tucked into my purse that I know I didn’t put there more than once or found money on the counter with a note labeled: Grocery Money. Each and every time, I’ve given it back to him by leaving it somewhere he would eventually find it. But that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to be high-handed when it comes to paying.
“I want to pay.”
“Next time,” he mumbles, focusing his attention on his cell. “What kind of pizza do you want?”
“You know, you’re really annoying.”
“Yep.” He looks up from his phone. “Now, what kind of pizza do you want?”
“Everything.”
“My kind of girl.” He grins, and my belly flips.
As he places the pizza order, I head into the living room, needing a minute to get myself together because him saying that I’m his kind of girl makes me feel things I should not be feeling. He’s my brother’s best friend and the guy who was nice enough to let me stay with him, nothing more.
Not to mention, I’m still technically married and should not even be interested in someone else. I mean, there must be a time limit on how long you have to wait after a divorce to start lusting after another man. And with Conner still dragging his feet regarding signing the divorce papers, it will likely be a few more weeks before that clock starts ticking.
“What are you thinking about?” Noah walks into the living room after getting off his phone.
“When I can start dating again,” I answer without thought, then cringe. “Not that I’m interested in anyone. I was just wondering when a person would do something like that,” I blabber. He sits on the couch next to me, not on the other side of the sofa where he should be.
“Whenever you’re ready.” He leans his head back against the cushion and closes his eyes.
“What?”
“You should start dating whenever you feel ready. There isn’t a time limit.” He stretches out his long legs, and when his thigh rubs against mine, I bring my knees to my chest.
“I’m still married.”
“You don’t have a ring on your finger.” He rolls his head my way and pins me with a stare. “You going back to your ex?”
“Absolutely not.”
“That’s what I thought.” His gaze drops to my mouth for the briefest of seconds, causing my heart to pound. “Life is way too fucking short to live on someone else’s timeline, babe. Do whatever the fuck makes you happy.”
“As simple as that?”
“As simple as that.” He holds my stare, and I nod. Maybe he’s right. Perhaps I need to stop caring what other people think and just live my life in whatever way makes me happy.
CHAPTER 12
CHERRIES
Noah
I watch Bridgett as she sleeps with her head on the armrest of the couch, her hair down around her shoulder, and her cheeks pink from the champagne she drank. Even passed-out drunk, she’s adorable. Actually, she’s adorable all the time, which has become a problem. When I didn’t know her as anything more than Aiden’s little sister, it was easy to brush off my attraction to her. Now, not so much. Whenever I’m around her, the urge to kiss her or touch her is almost unbearable.
I want her. I want to know what she tastes like. Want to know if her skin is as soft as it looks. And I want to know what sounds she’ll make when I go down on her or fuck her. And all of that would be easy enough to get over, but I don’t just want to fuck her. I’ve grown protective of her and have come to crave her presence. She’s a mystery I want to solve, but with her being so skittish around me, it’s almost impossible to figure her out.