Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
All right. And about what, five-three, five-four?
I wouldn’t have guessed a day over twenty.
“He’s hotter than you described, honey.” Jordan strode forward and extended his hand. “Hello, Ash. Nice to finally meet you.”
I smirked and shook his hand. “You too, Jordan.” I tilted my head at James. “Is he a flirt with everyone? I’m tryna decide if I’m flattered or just one in the crowd.”
James chuckled under his breath and stuck his hands down the pockets of his jeans. “You can be flattered.”
Okay, then. Just what I wanted to hear. Actually, I also wanted to hear how James had described me.
“Have you eaten?” Jordan asked.
“Not yet,” James said. “I thought we could do brunch once you woke up. What’re you in the mood for?”
“Ummmmm…” Jordan tapped his chin. “I want like, a breakfast sammich with bacon and eggs and cheese and spinach and tomaters.”
Sammich? Tomaters?
Who was this guy?
“Okay, I’ll go pick up food,” James chuckled. “One for you too?” He turned to me.
Uh. “Sure, why not. I like ham and cheese with tomatoes and that French mustard.”
“Tomaters,” Jordan corrected. “That’s how James’s dad pronounces it in the Deep South.”
“Does he say sammich too?” I smirked.
He lit up. “No, that’s a Jordan original. And I guess all the kids who say it too.”
Okay, he was a little too appealing for my tastes. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was a Little.
“I’ll be back in a bit. You two can get to know each other,” James said.
Wait, he was leaving his little hubby here?
“Excellent! I have some questions for you, Ash.” Jordan strode straight into my house and removed the hood of his teddy bear suit.
James was already heading off, so I guessed I was babysitting now?
I went back inside and closed the door, figuring I could start in the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink? I have Coke, coffee, and water.”
“Coke, please! And thank you.” He followed me into the kitchen. “Have you decided what to do with the kitchen yet?”
“Kind of. I wanna replace the cracked marble with an oak top—same with the other counters. Then repaint the cupboards. I’m thinking a moss green or muted blue.”
I’d brought home samples of walnut and maple too.
“That sounds gorgeous. And the floor?”
“Something to match the countertops.” I handed him a Coke from the fridge. Then I busied myself making more coffee. “James tells me you work in TV but like fashion…?”
He scrunched his nose and leaned against the island. “I love my man, but he’s shit at describing stuff sometimes. I don’t particularly like fashion, but my sister is a designer, and I’m head of makeup for her shows. Otherwise, I mostly do makeup for commercials and events.”
I was evidently full of prejudice, because he didn’t strike me as a makeup artist. I mean, I wasn’t new in the world. I’d had my fair share of twinks run after me in my day, and that was usually the type I’d expect to have such a profession.
Nate would call me a dick, but whatever.
“I have a bit of insight into the makeup world too,” I said. “I just agreed to let my eldest daughter wear it.”
He let out a laugh at that. “James told me you were funny.”
Here we go.
I leaned against the counter by the coffeemaker and folded my arms over my chest. “This I wanna hear. What else did he say?”
He pursed his lips and tilted his head. “That you’re open and easy to talk to, and that you’re hopelessly in love with your ex, with whom you have a whopping four crumb snatchers.”
Hrmm. I scratched my jaw, deciphering those words. “I’m guessing he said open because I can’t quit runnin’ my mouth about Nate. That’s the ex. And hopeless…yeah, I’m certainly that.”
I could be a vault about everyone and everything else. But where Nate was concerned, I word-vomited pathetically.
Jordan shrugged and sipped his Coke. “It makes sense, though. You’re penguins.”
I hitched my brows. “Penguins?”
He nodded and rubbed his nose. “James may have also mentioned that you broke up because you’re both Tops, and you’ve struggled to find a way to, you know, have the best of both worlds. And you’re staying together in a way for your kids’ sake.”
So, James had shared quite a bit. Not that I blamed him. I’d once shared everything with Nate, whether it was work shit or straight-up gossip that came from the kids’ schools. So many divorces, so many affairs, so many nervous breakdowns among teachers, and so much drama.
At least I was grateful I’d used the word Top with James. I hadn’t said a word about kink.
“And that makes us penguins,” I said.
“Well, yeah, kinda. Because penguins are known for making very strong connections, but they aren’t as monogamous as most people believe,” he said frankly. “They’re also vicious fighters and very protective of their young. Plus, some are hella gay.”