Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“Thanks for the ride.” She tucked a loose strand behind her ear. Her smile was small, but it reached her eyes. “You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.”
For a moment, we just stood there, the night stretching around us. Then I leaned down and brushed my mouth over hers. The kiss was slow, soft, and deliberate. Her lips parted, her breath catching against mine, and the taste of her hit me all at once. Warm. Sweet. Fucking addictive.
Temptation was riding me, so I pulled back before I lost control.
Ivy’s eyes stayed on mine, dazed and bright. “Good night, Saxon.”
“Night, sunshine.”
I waited for her to be safely shut inside, then forced myself to turn and walk away before I did something I’d regret, like follow her upstairs. When I slid behind the wheel again, I could still taste her.
As I pulled away from the curb, one thought settled in, low and certain. Tomorrow, I would be there to drive her home again.
4
IVY
Sunshine filtered through my blinds as I blinked the sleep from my eyes the following morning. The memory of Saxon’s kiss replayed in my head all night, so I didn’t get much rest. I headed straight to the kitchen to start the coffee brewing before hopping in the shower.
I was halfway through my first cup when my phone buzzed.
Saxon
Good morning.
His text was simple, but my pulse still sped up when I saw it. I typed out a reply before repeatedly stabbing my finger against the delete key because it looked too eager.
While I was trying to figure out what to say, another buzz lit up the screen.
Saxon
I enjoyed our conversation last night.
A laugh slipped out before I could stop it. I’d spent most of the drive rambling while he listened in silence, occasionally nodding or humming as though I’d said something profound instead of sharing every random thought that popped into my head. Except for the ones about him, which was my only saving grace. It would’ve been mortifying if I’d blurted out how tempted I was to climb into his lap.
Me
That wasn’t a conversation. I did all the talking.
He replied almost immediately.
Saxon
I like the sound of your voice.
Heat crept up my neck.
Then another message followed.
Saxon
And I enjoyed getting to know you.
That was much sweeter than I expected from the intense football player who hadn’t said much the two times I’d been around him.
Me
I’m glad.
I stared at the thread until the screen dimmed, then quickly locked my phone and told myself to calm down. It wasn’t like Saxon had confessed his undying love. It was just a thoughtful message.
The butterflies in my stomach clearly hadn’t gotten the memo, because they were doing aerial stunts while I stood there grinning into my coffee.
My smile stayed on my face for the entire day.
No matter how many clients I had or how tired my feet got, it refused to fade. Every time I caught sight of my reflection, there it was again—this ridiculous, happy grin. I told myself it was just because it had been a good morning. But I kept sneaking glances at the clock, and my heart raced at every notification my phone dinged, hoping to see Saxon’s name again on the screen.
By the time I finished my last client, the salon was empty except for Lorna, who grinned at me.
“You’ve been unusually tight-lipped about Saxon driving you home,” she teased as her gaze darted over my shoulder. “But it looks like I’m going to have to wait until tomorrow to grill you about it.”
When I turned toward the front window, my breath caught. Saxon’s SUV was parked at the curb. He leaned against the hood, his hands tucked into the pockets of his thick winter coat. His head was bowed slightly, as though he had all the time in the world.
Lorna smirked. “I guess I don’t have to worry about you getting home safe.”
I shot her an exasperated look, but she was already walking toward the back. Biting my lip to keep from smiling like a giddy schoolgirl, I slipped on my coat and zipped it up, then tugged on a pair of gloves.
Stepping outside, I hugged my purse strap a little tighter as I locked the door behind me. When I turned, Saxon straightened, his quiet confidence wrapping around him like a second skin.
“You were waiting for me?”
“Figured I’d make sure you got home safe.” His tone was even as his gaze swept over me. “I’m heading back to the city anyway. Ride with me.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”
“It’ll only bother me if you don’t get in the car,” he insisted, a muscle jumping in his chiseled jaw.
“When you put it like that, how can I say no?”
I shook my head with a laugh as I walked to his SUV.
“I guess I got lucky that you were out here on Long Island again today.”