Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
She bit her lip. “What about Elijah?”
“Obviously he’ll have to stay, too. But I’m not taking him to dinner. I want you all to myself.”
Sloane rolled her eyes, but I saw a smile. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Thank you.”
“But first, you need to make me some coffee. I’ve been up for hours and I’m dying.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I stood, tugging her up with me. “Come on. I’ll start it brewing and then take a quick shower, if you don’t mind.”
“Okay.”
I led Sloane out to the kitchen and lifted her onto the counter next to the coffee maker. “I’m going to make it. But I’m also going to show you how.” I winked. “So you can make it if you’re up before me on our next sleepover.”
A little while later, I was in the shower. I wasn’t sure if it was the hot water pelting my shoulders or the fact that Sloane was most likely going to be staying that cured my hangover. But I came out feeling like a new man. I started to get dressed, but then thought better of it and kept just the towel wrapped around my waist. (And I might’ve done a few dozen push-ups in the bathroom, because you can never look too good.)
Sloane was sitting in the living room with her coffee when I walked out. Her eyes followed the drops of water still running down my chest. She swallowed, and my dick twitched in response—it really did have a mind of its own. Sloane noticed.
I didn’t have to look down to know there was an outline now—a nice, thick one. I fucking loved seeing her eyes all over me, seeing how I affected her. But there was a fine line between showing off and being a giant asshole, so I poured a coffee and excused myself to get dressed. When I came back, Sloane was standing at the windows, looking out at London. I walked up behind her.
“This view is incredible,” she said.
“I can’t complain.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“About five years. My first place was a one-bedroom. I needed somewhere bigger since Lucas stays over a lot. And this is closer to his school. I’m going to guess I didn’t offer you a tour last night?”
She smiled. “You passed out on the drive home. You’re lucky you made it to the bedroom.”
I nodded. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”
Down the hall, I opened the door to my office first. It was filled with team pictures, a shitload of trophies and plaques, and the usual equipment—laptop, printer, scanner. Next, I showed her Lucas’s room. It was a mess, but at least the bed was sort of made.
“He’s not the cleanest or the most organized kid.”
She looked around at the walls. “My niece would love the artwork in here.”
“You’ll have to come back and bring her.”
The tour continued on to two bathrooms, a small room filled with weights and exercise equipment, and then we headed to the last door at the end of the hall, the spare bedroom. I opened the door, but quickly pulled it shut.
“What?” she asked. “Is someone in there?”
“No … I, uh…”
“What’s in there that you don’t want me to see?”
“Nothing.”
She frowned. “You’re not a very good liar, Wilder.”
I didn’t want her to think the worst, like I was hiding a bed with chains and a torn pair of panties my sex slave had forgotten the other night. So I decided to come clean. I rubbed the back of my neck. “It just arrived yesterday morning.”
“What arrived?”
I pushed the door open and held my hand out for her to enter first.
Sloane hesitated before walking in. “Oh my God. You have my suitcase! Why didn’t you tell me it came?”
“I was going to. Just not until today. I was afraid if I told you yesterday, you’d wear the dress you brought and make me return the one I got you.”
“So?”
“I really wanted you to have it. Plus, I couldn’t wait to see you wear that green dress.”
She laughed, covering her mouth. “Oh my God. You are insane.”
I slung my arm around her shoulder. “I blame you. You won’t let me see you naked, so I have to get off on shopping for you.”
“You better be careful. You have really good taste, and you buy things I could never afford. I might not let you see me naked just to keep you shopping.”
“What if I promise the shopping will get better after I see you naked? I could end the tour with another visit to my bedroom?”
She smiled and shook her head. “I should get back to my hotel and talk to Elijah.”
“Can I make you breakfast first?”
“Shopping for me, cooking for me … a girl could get used to this.”
I winked. “That’s what I’m counting on, Cupcake.”
21
WILDER
“You look like you’re thinking something very inappropriate right now.”