Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 51243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Take care,
Taylor
Subject: Re: A New Thread
Hopefully you take the fact that it took me a full day to respond to you as proof that I do not want to talk to you.
(You also have the face of someone who deserves to be punched.)
Take care,
Audrey
Subject: Re: Re: A New Thread
The fact that you responded at all says volumes…
The people in my writing class can’t write their way out of a paper bag. Look at this bullshit I have to critique. This is someone’s analysis of Beowulf.
Take care,
Taylor
Subject: Re: Re: Re: A New Thread
WTF… This essay is a joke, right? How the hell did they get into college with that?
The people in my class aren’t much better. I mean, they’re not terrible, but all of them looked at me like I was crazy when I suggested a prose challenge.
Are you up? Want to do one for old times’ sake?
(Strictly for competition, not because I miss fighting with you or anything.)
Take care,
Audrey
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: A New Thread
You’re on.
Take care,
Taylor
TRACK 30. I KNOW PLACES (2:37)
AUDREY
Iwas a walking zombie.
Between the late-night sex with Taylor and the endless demands on my writing, I was certain I’d pass out and not wake up for a week.
How Taylor managed to look completely normal, make multiple trips to the Bears’ facility, and still act like nothing had happened between us, I would never know.
“I think we should take a weekend vacation,” he said suddenly, making me look up.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“No,” he said easily, “but I think you’re about to lose yours.”
“We have two days to finish our work for Weiss and Mills,” I said. “We can’t afford to waste any time.”
“I asked them for an extension.” He placed his hands on my shoulders. “For everyone in the class, actually.”
“What?”
“They agreed to it,” he said. “In fact, they let it slip that the two of us are tied for first place—and we’re the only ones who are thirteen days ahead of schedule.”
“You told me you weren’t trying to beat me.”
“You told me the same.”
“You’re a liar.”
“So are you.” He smiled, locking his gaze on mine. “I want to do something other than work and sex with you.”
“We’ve only had sex a few times.”
“We’re going to have it a lot more than that.” His grin deepened. “But I don’t think three days away from here will kill us. Do you?”
“Can I bring my laptop?”
“Only if you agree not to work on it all day.”
“Deal.”
The following afternoon, we drove for hours before he finally slowed the car and turned down a narrow, tree-lined road. The path curved like a secret, the branches arching overhead until they opened onto a breathtaking cove.
A sleek, black-glass cabin sat on a cliff overlooking a stretch of white sand and cold, gray-blue ocean. Every window reflected the sky.
“Holy shit,” I whispered, unbuckling my seatbelt and stepping out before the car had fully stopped.
Taylor laughed as I spun in a slow circle, the salt wind tangling my hair. “You like it?”
“‘Like it’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
Inside, everything gleamed—white oak floors, steel-framed windows, and a wall of glass doors that opened onto the sea. The air smelled faintly of cedar and ocean spray.
“How much was this place?” I twirled around the living room in awe. “Do I even want to know?”
“No.” He set the car keys on the marble counter.
“I’ll take your word for it.” I crossed the room to the double doors and pushed them open.
The view hit me like a heartbeat—rolling waves crashing against dark rocks, streaks of sunlight breaking through the clouds. The sound of it was endless, steady.
He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. His chest pressed warm and solid against my back.
“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.
“Nothing.” I blushed as his lips grazed the curve of my neck. “I’m just… taking it in.”
“Hmmm.” His mouth brushed my skin again. “Let me help you with that.”
Before I could respond, he guided me down to the soft rug near the glass doors. The world outside blurred into mist and sea, and the only thing I could hear was the rhythm of his breath against mine.
Later, while Taylor showered, I FaceTimed Cecelia.
Her lips curved into a wicked smile. “Was it good? No—how long did it last?”
“Too long.” I felt my cheeks burning. “And it happened more than once.”
“Does he have a big cock?”
“Cecelia!”
“I just want to know!” She looked like a lovesick teenager. “Tell me!”
“It was— I mean, yes. Yes, he has a big cock.”
“I knew it.” She nodded, smug. “That’s why he looks so damn arrogant.”
“Right. Anyway—”
“No, no, no.” She cut me off. “I don’t think so. Tell me the rest.”
I sighed. “The rest involves the ocean, a rug, and me losing all sense of time.”
Her scream nearly blew out my speaker. “You bitch. You’re living in a damn romance novel.”