Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39473 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39473 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
The whole drive to my apartment, that excited feeling stayed with me. My cheeks were warm, and my stomach kept doing little flips every time I thought about tomorrow night.
When I pulled into my complex and parked, I was still smiling. I sat in my car for a moment, replaying everything that had happened at the park as I scrolled through our text chain again. A small part of me wondered what I was getting myself into.
Going to dinner with Canyon as my first real date was like diving into the ocean to learn how to swim. He was an older, commanding man who went after what he wanted without hesitation. And for some reason, right now, he wanted me.
I shook my head with a soft laugh and grabbed my bag. Whatever this was, I was going to let myself enjoy it. At least for one dinner with the intense, tattooed biker who made my pulse race with nothing more than a text.
I just hoped I wasn’t getting in way over my head.
6
BLITZ
When I pulled my SUV into Aubrey’s parking lot, I felt the tension I'd been carrying in my chest finally ease slightly, only to be replaced by a quick pulse of anticipation. She stepped outside a moment later, and the sight of her momentarily stole every coherent thought from my mind.
Aubrey’s simple sundress gently skimmed her curves, the fabric catching softly in the evening breeze as she walked toward me. Her chestnut-brown hair spilled in loose waves around her shoulders, and I struggled to breathe.
Stepping from the vehicle, I quickly moved around to open the passenger door, offering her a hand to help her climb up. The warmth of her palm against mine sent an immediate spark through my veins, tightening every muscle in my body as her sweet scent enveloped me. She glanced up, her clear blue eyes meeting mine, and her shy smile set my pulse racing.
“You look incredible, sunshine.” I didn’t bother to hide the rough sincerity in my voice.
A pretty pink flush spread across her skin as her smile widened. “Thank you. You clean up pretty nicely yourself, Canyon.”
The sound of my real name coming from her lips felt right in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I closed her door and moved around to the driver’s side, climbing into the SUV and pulling out onto the quiet road, away from Crossbend. Away from the club.
The drive to the restaurant was quiet but comfortable, a simmering tension humming softly between us. When we finally arrived at the small, secluded place I’d chosen, I was glad to see it wasn’t overly crowded. It was well away from club territory, quiet, upscale but understated—perfect for what I wanted tonight.
The hostess seated us at a table near a softly lit corner, and as we moved through the dining room, I quickly noticed the subtle attention Aubrey drew from other patrons. Several men glanced in her direction, their gazes lingering appreciatively, and something dark bloomed deep inside me. But I forced myself not to make a scene, settling instead for guiding Aubrey firmly by the small of her back, keeping her close and offering each admirer a silent glare that had the color draining from their faces.
As we sat down, Aubrey smiled, completely oblivious to the silent confrontations I'd just won. We ordered our food, and once the server moved away, Aubrey began telling me about her life. She spoke openly about school, her experiences as a nanny, and finally, about her brother, Tripp.
I watched her carefully as she talked, seeing the genuine warmth and admiration she held for him. Each word about her brother was full of affection, deep enough that it cut into me, intensifying the guilt that had already taken root in my chest.
The more time I spent with her, the worse my situation became. I’d come into tonight expecting attraction. I wasn’t blind. I’d known from the moment I saw her at the park that she was beautiful. What I hadn't expected was how much I’d enjoy her company.
She was funny without trying to be. Smart. Warm. And she listened when people talked because she genuinely cared about what they had to say.
Every time she laughed, I found myself wanting to be the reason for it. And every time she smiled at me, my body reacted like a damn horny teenager.
As Aubrey talked, it became increasingly clear that Tripp wasn't just her older brother—he was her anchor. Someone who had stepped up to fill the place in her life that was left a ragged, gaping hole when their parents died.
She mentioned that he’d given up bigger FBI opportunities, choosing to remain close to her, never allowing his career to become more important than his family. Each detail Aubrey revealed softened something inside me, while simultaneously twisting the knife even deeper. The revelations reminded me that despite everything he had done, Tripp was still the kind of man I'd initially thought he was in many ways.