Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 164910 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 825(@200wpm)___ 660(@250wpm)___ 550(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164910 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 825(@200wpm)___ 660(@250wpm)___ 550(@300wpm)
And probably a little flushed.
He would never say that to me. He would never say any of this to me.
It doesn’t stop me from imagining it, though. His fingers around my neck, his growl over my mouth. I can’t stop thinking about you.
“You still there?” Micah asks.
I look away, bowing my head and keeping my voice low. “Yeah.”
I hear him draw in a breath. “I’m a good cook,” he tells me, his tone light and hopeful. “And I have an amazing bed…and an incredible shower…and some sensational toys…and a very hungry mouth.”
I bite my lip to stifle the excitement rising in my throat.
“And I really want to go ancient Rome on you tonight,” he taunts.
Goddamn. My cock starts to heat with blood, and I have to shift myself.
Maybe this is just what I need. Why shouldn’t I?
Finally?
He’s mature and not emotionally stunted with anger. I don’t want to be my father, but I’m not a priest, either. I deserve some fun. I deserve someone who wants me.
“Tomorrow,” I tell him. “I can’t go far from my stepsister right now, though. My family’s yacht has a kitchen. And some nice beds.”
“All to ourselves?”
My heart skips a beat. “Yes.”
“Text me the address.”
“Okay,” I breathe out.
I hang up, my pulse racing in my ears.
I don’t know if I would have pursued him, but I know this doesn’t feel like a mistake. It’s time to get lost in feeling good for a few hours with someone who can’t hurt me. At least not yet.
Turning, I stare at Dallas, who still watches me.
No idea what his problem is, but I never do.
And suddenly, I don’t care. Not tonight.
Walking back into the room, I call out to Sophia, “Fiore’s?”
She twists her head, beaming. “Pizza.”
She puts away her paints, and I take her hand, leading her out as Milo walks with us. Dallas’s eyes follow us, but I don’t spare him another glance.
19
Dallas
He was talking to someone he liked on the phone, which made me wonder how he would look if he were talking to me.
We had never spoken on the phone, though. At least when we were seeing each other. I never called him, and I never answered when he called. We texted. Short, to the point.
I shake my head and close my eyes, trying to relax as the breeze blows through the palms and oaks.
But I can’t get the picture of him out of my head. The blush on his cheeks. The smile on his excited lips. How his chest expanded with something like anticipation that he was too overwhelmed to let go.
His shoulder blades poking out of his clothes, leading down to a narrow waist, and the most perfect fucking ass, the outline far too visible through those track pants he was wearing. Maybe he was talking to that arrogant prick from the Wolfe Room. Maybe someone else, but it was definitely someone he was thinking about fucking.
I swallow, opening my eyes but seeing nothing.
He looked…aroused. Happy.
Like I wasn’t standing twelve feet away.
I heave a sigh. I should’ve started drinking when I got home hours ago.
Iron and I rest out by our pool, beers untouched while the happy couples play in the water. Macon holds his wife, their arms wrapped around each other as he carries her around the water. Liv and Clay laugh, kissing and nuzzling with drinks in hand.
Army should be back anytime. He sees a hot divorcée in St. Carmen after he gets done with work, but he only spends the night when her ex-husband has the kids. Curfew is about to start, so Trace will be at his pub till morning.
“What the fuck are you two doing?” Macon gripes.
Iron and I look over at our oldest brother, and I notice his scowl has a smile with it.
I narrow my eyes. “What?”
“I couldn’t keep either of you out of the bottles and pussy,” he goes on, “and now I can’t get you out of the house.”
Krisjen hugs him close, smiling over at us. “Oh, leave them alone.”
“They’re growing up,” Liv teases.
“You’re a hair, growing on my balls,” I retort.
My sister and Clay break into laughter, Macon shaking with amusement as he spins himself and his wife around in the water.
Iron tilts his head toward me. “Is he…smiling?” he asks me.
I mumble, “It’s creepy.”
I guess he deserves it. I guess if anyone does, it’s him. I would never admit this to Clay or Krisjen, but the house has been a much easier place to live in with them around. Almost enjoyable.
And the restorations to the house helped with that a lot. The place was always huge, but a lot of it wasn’t usable, and now we’re not tripping over one another all the time.
Even the exterior renovations seem to make me breathe easier. Unlike the Ameses’ pool, ours desperately needed a facelift. Army chose an aqua-blue tile, mostly because any dark reptilian creatures finding their way in would be easily visible, and the pool deck was re-covered and painted a canvas color, brightening everything up. We’re like one of those fancy hotels now. Steps lead into the water, and the trickling sound of a waterfall soothes all of us.