Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 120838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
That made me crack a smile.
He continued, “In other words, I know there are things to lose, Blake, especially between you and me. I understand what you’re saying. Ye thought ye lost something when ye scraped him off, but ye figured out ye didnae. But you like me, and ye ken already it’ll be worse if it dinnae work out. Hen, understand this. I’m feeling the same.”
Oh God.
He was feeling the same.
Did that make me feel better, or more scared?
Definitely more scared.
Dair went on, “But I’ve got the balls to give it a go because it feels damn good and might get better.”
“I don’t have balls, Dair.”
“Thank Christ, but you get me. Are ye going to wimp out on me?”
Oh no he didn’t.
“I’m not being a wimp,” I snapped. “I’m trying to protect you and me.”
“From what?”
“Heartbreak?” I asked sarcastically. “Emotional trauma? Another social media onslaught. Have you thought of that? Everything my crew does is plastered all over the place and you’ll be along for that ride if you’re with me. Trust me, it’ll be way worse than what happened with Signe.”
“Now you’re making shite up,” he muttered while spooning up chicken pot pie.
“I am not,” I stated heatedly. “As I’m sure you know with what you just mentioned about Signe, it’s not fun.”
“Ye dinnae have any records to sell or movie tickets ye want people to buy. Why do ye give that first shite about what people say about you on social media?”
“Well, you have a job in the public eye.”
“Baby, I got my trust fund when I was twenty-three and I haven’t touched it. I could lose my job and get a job coaching somewhere and be more than comfortable. I was young back then and felt like an eejit. Now, I dinnae give a fuck what millions of people addicted to their screens say about me.”
“You have an answer for everything,” I sniped, swiping more polenta on pork.
“Because there are answers.”
I shoved the food in my mouth and chewed angrily.
“Does it occur to ye, you’re being entirely irrational, and I haven’t bolted to the door?” he asked before shoving pie in his mouth.
Oh no he didn’t.
“I’m not being irrational, Dair,” I said low.
He leaned over his pie to me. “This is how I see it. If that kiss is any indication, you’re going to be fucking amazing in bed. You’re funny. You’re full of cheek, and I like it. Ye cook great. You’re kind to my mum. My sister thinks the world of ye. You’re not boring in the slightest. Ye love hard and show it effortlessly. And you like me. So much, you’re terrified of losing me before we’ve even tried. With all of that, what I know is, this could be everything. It could be wedding, children, our whole futures. And I’m determined to explore that. So worry all ye want, baby. Your arse is still going to be on a plane in a week and a half. And dinnae book a hotel. You’re staying with me.”
What did you say to that?
I said nothing, just angrily kept eating.
“It’s dead already, ye ken,” Dair quipped while watching me.
I shoved more pork in my mouth and chewed ferociously.
He busted out laughing.
Was there no distancing this guy?
Bah!
“I’m not terrified of losing you,” I groused as I speared a baby carrot.
“Sick with it, love,” he said jovially over his pot pie. “Not to worry. I’ve got the cure.”
Oh my God!
He was unspeakable.
“Dessert here or go to that ice cream place Mum and Davi were raving about?” he asked.
I was intent to give him the silent treatment for the rest of the date.
But we were talking about ice cream.
“Ice cream,” I grumbled.
His tone was vibrating with humor when he said, “Whatever you want, lassie.”
I wanted him.
And that was the problem.
Because it scared the shit out of me.
But, what could I do?
I was no wimp.
I was a Sharp. A Bernhard. Even a Coddington (from what I could tell, they were all assholes, but they didn’t back down or roll over for anybody).
So we’d give this a go.
He’d see.
I ate more pork and polenta.
Delicious.
Chapter 10
Torture
Blake
* * *
I sat in the window seat in my bedroom with a cup of coffee and stared out at the pines.
Today was Dair’s (and his family’s) last day in Prescott.
And I was extremely bummed about it.
The night before last, the rest of Dair and my date was a great deal better than the beginning of it.
He was witty. Clever. Openly into me. Thought I was funny.
And worth a repeat, openly into me.
A man like that, not just his looks, but confidence, his unceasing energy for life, his humor.
I’d never met a man like him.
Indeed, until getting to know him again, I didn’t know men like him existed.
On our date, after our dinner, we wandered the streets of Prescott and around the square, his arm around my shoulders, mine around his waist.