Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
* * *
Chloe
I drop my eyes to the table, trying not to get caught up in his eyes. He hasn’t stopped smiling at me. It’s a sexy, gorgeous smile that’s calling on feelings I shouldn’t have.
“What are you smiling at?”
“You. This. I almost forgot how easy things used to be. I miss this.”
My belly drops. He’s right, this does feel nice. However, I have had a lot to drink so I don’t know if I can trust my judgment at the moment. Memories surface and I find myself smiling too.
“Now why are you smiling?” he asks as his eyes crinkle around the sides.
“I remember my first beer. It was with you. At your apartment.”
The blood drains from his face and he groans. I burst into laughter, knowing what he’s probably thinking. I should make him suffer.
“It wasn’t while I was seventeen. I used to pour those down the sink. I never drank while we hung out. Remember, I turned them down most of the time.”
He frowns. “Which is reason number one hundred and one I should’ve figured out the truth sooner.”
“My first beer was at your place when you were stressing about a fight you had with your dad. Sid wasn’t into drinking, so I never tried before then. I had Ally to think about too.”
He narrows his eyes. “I think I remember that. You were wasted after your third longneck. It was adorable.”
“Ugh, the headache the next day wasn’t worth it.”
“Looks like you’ve gotten your tolerance up.”
I wipe at my forehead. I’m not sure that’s so true. In fact, I’m starting to feel that last mug.
“Ha, I might need an assist to get back to the room. This stuff packs a punch after a few. I think I was sleeping on it.”
Brodi gives me a sexy smile. “Yeah, I do have a nice buzz. You ready to head up?”
“Yeah, my lids are heavy. I’m fading.”
He closes out our tab and we stand to leave. I start to sway the moment I’m out of my seat. I place a hand on the table to steady myself.
“Easy, I’ve got you,” he says as he wraps an arm around my waist.
I lean into his warmth. I can’t wait to get upstairs and into bed. My brain is exhausted.
We step into the elevator and Brodi presses for our floor. I move to lean against the back wall. He steps in front of me with a wide stance. All that dominant energy rolling off him. He runs his fingers along my hairline. I look up into his eyes and forget everything as I get lost in his gaze.
That familiar comfort draws me in. I don’t see the man who hurt me. I see the man who I once loved and who had been my best friend, the man who taught me the best pleasures in life.
I blink a few times to clear my thoughts as he cups the side of my face. There’s this hum between us. His hand against my flesh scorches my skin. Brodi starts to lean in, and I close my eyes.
“Please don’t,” I breathe out.
He kisses my forehead instead of my lips. “Sorry, I got caught in the moment.”
“It’s okay. I think we both did,” I murmur as we reach our floor and the doors open.
He moves aside to help me out and to our room. The last thing I remember is face-planting on the bed.
Chapter 21
This I Can Do
Chloe
I eye Brodi warily as he walks out of the bathroom in just a pair of pajama pants. He moves around the room lighting candles and dimming the lights.
This isn’t the first time in the last week he has set a romantic ambience and tried to seduce me into his web. I’m standing my ground. I won’t fall for any of it.
“Turn onto your stomach and lie down for me,” he says as he comes to stand at the side of the bed.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a massage, Cee. Stop looking at me like I’m a snake about to strike,” he huffs.
“Well,” I drag out.
“You’re so damn stubborn,” he mutters.
Swiftly, he grabs my ankles and flips me over. It’s not forceful. It’s actually playful, something he used to do all of the time.
I go to crawl away, but he brings his hand down on my ass, slapping my cheek. I gasp and turn to scowl at him. He gives me that sexy grin and lifts a brow at me.
“Did you just hit me?” I snap.
“That was a love tap, baby. You remember those, don’t you?”
“I’ll show you a love tap.”
I hop up to stand on my feet and run across the mattress to him. Before I can lunge at him, he wraps my waist and brings us both down onto the bed with a hard bounce.
“I’m still fast for an old man,” he teases as he hovers over me.