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)
“TJ fucked my best friend,” she says. “She was supposed to be my maid of honor, but there was nothing honorable about either of them. They have a son now. Thaddeus the third.”
I’d ask how she feels about that, but it’s clear from the expression on her face. The roll of her eyes cements the fact that Thaddeus and the woman he cheated with are in her past.
“I was scared to feel anything for a man.” She glances at the sidewalk. “So I only had one-night stands. I didn’t have a lot, but when I needed to feel a man’s arms around me, I kept it casual.”
“I understand.”
As much as I hate the thought of her in bed with another man, I get the need she felt to engage in casual sex. It’s what I’ve been doing throughout my adult life.
“You scared me, Opal.”
She lets out a light laugh. It’s so quiet that I have to strain to hear it.
“You did,” I press.
“I scared you?” She taps the center of her chest. “How?”
“My life has always been predictable.” I glance to my left and spot an available taxi passing by. At another time, I’d flag it down, but it’s not my call to make. I want her to invite herself to my apartment or take me home to hers, but I won’t push for either.
“Your job seems very unpredictable,” she notes. “I can’t imagine that one day is ever a repeat of the one that came before it.”
“You’re right. My work is unpredictable,” I clarify. “My personal life was always predictable. I did what you did. I sought out women who I made sure understood that I only wanted one night.”
She squeezes her eyes shut as if she doesn’t want to conjure up a mental image of me naked with anyone else. I never intend for that to happen again, so she’s got nothing to worry about.
I lightly brush my hand over her shoulder. “Open your eyes.”
She does. “Was it enough for you? Were you satisfied with the one-night stands?”
“I was.” I nod. “Until you crashed into my life, and suddenly everything felt different. I was rocked off my axis. I thought about you constantly. You should have seen me the day I picked out that pill box for you.”
“You did that?” she questions. “Not one of the women you work with?”
“It was way too fucking important to hand off to anyone.” I laugh. “I took my time. Studied each one and ended up buying that one.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“So are the other ten I have wrapped at my place waiting for you to open.”
Her eyes widen as a smile glides over her lips. “You bought ten more?”
“Days after I saw how you reacted to that one,” I tell her. “I felt this profound sense of happiness knowing I’d given you something that lit up your face the way it did. Your smile is out of this world, Opal. It’s as if nothing else exists when you smile at me.”
She steps closer to where I’m standing. “When did you fall in love with me?”
“A lifetime ago.” I take a stuttered breath. “Maybe two lifetimes ago. It was always you for me. I didn’t know where to find you until you ran right into me in this exact spot.”
She glances at the ground before her eyes lock on mine. “It seems like the perfect spot to share our first forever kiss.”
I stare into her eyes, unsure if she said what I think she did. “Say that again.”
“Kiss me so we can have our first forever kiss right here in our spot.”
I do as she asks and cup her face in my hands. I lower my mouth to hers and kiss her tenderly, hoping that she feels the depth of my love for her.
Holding hands, we walk toward the nearest subway stop. Opal is the one who requested a private viewing of my penthouse. I live to make her happy, so we’re headed in that direction now.
“Mr. Knight!” A male voice calls from behind us.
Not wanting to be interrupted by anyone, I’m tempted to tell whoever it is I’m busy and not in the mood for an interruption.
“Someone is calling your name,” Opal says as she gazes up at my face. “Shouldn’t we stop?”
I squeeze her hand. “Only for a minute.”
Smiling, she glances over her shoulder. “Deal.”
I look, too, and see a younger guy on the approach. I can’t place him until he’s almost right in front of me. It seems the advice I threw at him paid off.
“Mr. Knight,” he says my name as he extends a hand in my direction. “Remember me?”
I take his hand for a firm shake. “Ryan, right?”
His brows lift in surprise. “You do remember me.”
I remember the morning I met him and Jason Goodman as they were subjecting an entire coffee shop to stories about their imaginary conquests.