Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“I have an appointment with Henry,” I say, my voice breezy.
Before Cara can question me any further, Henry steps out of his office, still smiling. “Hold my calls, Cara,” he says without missing a beat. His eyes lock on mine, and he tilts his head toward the hallway. “Come on.”
He places a hand on the small of my back, guiding me away from his office and down the hall.
“Where are we going?” I ask, glancing over at him.
He smirks, his eyes glinting with mischief. “It’s a secret.”
We stop at a private elevator, and he punches in a keycode before the doors slide open. I step in beside him, my curiosity piqued. The elevator ascends smoothly, and when the doors open again, I’m greeted by bright sunlight and the sound of the ocean breeze.
“Wow,” I breathe as we step out onto the roof.
The space is stunning. A rooftop oasis perched high above Miami, complete with a pool, a Jacuzzi, glass balustrades that make the view of the city and ocean seem infinite, and a luxurious sitting area with plush couches and pillows. The smell of sea and salt is an immediate comfort.
The old Avery would’ve hated what this might do to her hair. So weird.
“This is a new addition to Adrenaline Junkie,” Henry explains, slipping his hands into his pockets. “But it hasn’t had the official reveal to my employees yet.”
“And what are we doing up here?” I ask, turning to him.
He smirks again, that same infuriatingly sexy look that makes my knees weak. “I thought you’d enjoy the view while I enjoy you.”
Before I can respond, he’s closing the distance between us. In one smooth motion, he lifts me into his arms, making me squeak in surprise.
“Henry!” I exclaim, but he just chuckles, carrying me over to the sitting area. He lays me down on one of the plush outdoor couches, the cushions soft beneath me. The bright blue sky stretches out above us, but my focus is entirely on him.
He doesn’t waste any time. His hands slide to the waistband of my pants, and he tugs them down with deliberate ease. I’m already aroused, my body responding to him like it’s second nature.
His gaze travels over me, dark and hungry, and he leans down to press his lips to mine. The kiss is deep and demanding, and I can’t help the way my hips arch toward him, seeking more. His hands trail down my thighs, his touch igniting every nerve ending as he moves lower.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice thick with desire. “And I miss having you around all the time.”
I reach up, threading my fingers through his hair, and pull him closer. My heart races, the heat between us building with every touch, every kiss, every whispered word. Up here, high above the city, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.
Back in our precious bubble.
I whisper the truth because saying it any louder might shatter me. “I’m ridiculously attached to you too.”
January 19th
Henry
It’s early on Saturday morning, the hour when the city is still quiet and the light filtering through the blinds is faint, and the soft sound of running water pulls me toward the bathroom.
Avery stayed over again last night, and not just because we can’t seem to get enough of each other, but because June has a key to her place and is driving her crazy. She does phone check-ins, surprise drop-ins, coffee dates, bed turndown service, and everything in between, still reeling from the scare of having Avery missing for two weeks. Avery says, and I quote, “For all I know, she’ll show up and try to offer assistance while I’m inserting your cock.”
Considering our current keeping-it-a-secret status, June’s handy-dandy hand service seems like a step too far. Not to mention the implications of my best friend’s wife putting her hand on my cock, in an assisting capacity or not, are a wee bit uncomfortable.
Personally, I’m ready to be out in the open, but Avery’s not and I understand why. Our friends and family are a lot.
Just this morning alone, I’ve gotten three texts from Ronnie and Mav offering to stop by on their way home from the bar, a text from Beau checking in while he makes an early breakfast for Addy, and several missed calls from Cara about shit I don’t even want to think about on the weekend. And Avery’s got her parents, grandparents, and a whole other set of friends on top of that.
The door to my bathroom is cracked open, steam curling out and filling the air with the scent of Avery—sweet and floral, like sugar and fresh roses. As I step inside, the sight of the counter makes me smile. It’s covered in Avery’s things. Little jars of face creams, a bottle of lotion she religiously applies to her legs before bed, leaving her skin impossibly soft and making her smell like a goddamn dessert. Even her silk eye mask is folded neatly to the side, which she claims is essential for preventing wrinkles.