Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
The mental image of that sends me into a fit of laughter.
“Do you think I’m kidding?” He feigns surprise by widening his eyes. “I’m not fucking kidding, Opal. I know I could get a lot of attention if I stood outside the bar.”
My laughter fades. “I know you could. You always do, and you don’t need a sandwich board or a big red arrow to draw attention to yourself.”
His right brow cocks. “Are you saying I’m cute?”
The word is far too tame to describe him, but I nod. “Something like that.”
He brushes a hand over his shoulder. “I’ll take it. I like it, and in case you haven’t noticed, I like you.”
I can’t tell if it’s a good idea or not, but I confess what I’m feeling with a caveat attached, “I like you too, William, but I need something from you.”
“Name it,” he blurts out as though he’d do anything I asked.
The reality that he might is almost too much for me to comprehend.
“I need this to be casual,” I say, trying desperately to keep my tone even. “I like what we have now. It’s fun, and…”
“And you’re on the cusp of opening up a business,” he assumes that’s what I was about to say. “So, casual is all you have time for.”
That’s not why I need to keep my emotional distance from him, but I nod. He doesn’t need to know that I was shattered by a man I loved, and since then, I haven’t allowed myself more than the occasional one-night stand.
I deserve to have fun, and I want him even though I know I shouldn’t. I’ve tried to convince myself to forget him, but another time or two in his bed can’t hurt. All I have to do is view this as a multi-night stand and nothing more. If I can do that, I’ll be fine.
“Then casual it is.” He brushes my cheek with his fingertips. “I’m all in for that.”
“Perfect,” I say with every confidence that I’m strong enough to walk away from him after we’ve spent another night or two together.
45
William
I think I just agreed to be Opal’s fuck buddy.
I don’t know how the hell it happened, and it’s certainly not on my list of the worst things I’ve ever agreed to. In fact, it tops the list of the best decisions I’ve ever made, but I want more.
I never thought I’d want more with any woman, but I do with Opal.
I tap my fingertip against my top lip while I come up with something to say to the woman who just effortlessly relegated me to the status of a casual lover.
I should jump in and give her what she wants, so I offer myself up on a silver platter, along with a good meal, because I’m a man who wants to feed her before I fuck her senseless. “Are you free for dinner tonight? I can cook for you again.”
She eyes me from head to toe. “That’s a tempting offer, but…”
A but won’t end well for me, so I interrupt her, upping my proposal, “I’m thinking a medium rare steak with a side of roasted potatoes that will make your head spin.”
She contemplates that with a grin on her lips. “I’m salivating just thinking about it.”
Since I’m doing the same thinking about what comes after dinner, namely, her while my tongue is on her pussy, I tell her as much, “I’m salivating thinking about tasting you.”
Her arms cross her chest as if she’s trying to control a need to reach out to touch me. “You’re making this very hard, William.”
If I were an eighteen-year-old kid, I’d blurt out that she’s the one making it hard, as in my dick, because the semi-erection I’m sporting is all courtesy of her.
“You already have plans?” I ask.
She nods. “I do.”
There’s no offer of any additional details, but my curiosity is too strong to let it go. “With who?”
Her brows perk as a soft smile glides over her lips. “You don’t know him.”
“How well do you know him?”
She glances at the floor before her gaze lands back on my face. “Very well, since it’s my dad.”
A sense of calm sweeps over me like a wave on a hot summer day, offering the relief I didn’t know I needed. “Tell him I said hi.”
She laughs softly.
“What?” I question with a wide grin on my lips.
“He doesn’t know you,” she points out.
“His loss.”
She nods. “Can I get a rain check on the juicy steak?”
I run a finger over her chin, tilting it up slightly. “You name the date and time, and I’ll be ready.”
Staring into my eyes, she whispers,” I can’t wait.”
I tell her the same with a lush kiss to the mouth before I make a promise that will be easy to keep, “I’ll be as patient as you need me to be, Opal.”