Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
And I honestly hope she’s right.
CHAPTER NINE
ALEX
Waking up with soft skin pressed against my chest and legs tangled with mine immediately makes me smile. Inhaling her scent, I press my lips to the flesh of her neck and whisper in her ear. Just as she turns over and I look at the beautiful woman lying next to me, her eyes flutter open.
At first, River smiles with almost drunken happiness, then as reality sets in, her brows furrow. Sitting up in bed with wide eyes, she pulls the sheet to cover her breasts. When I look at her, I think she might actually be in shock that I’m here. She glances at my chest, then looks up at me. “I think you should go.”
Tilting my head, I search her face, waiting for some sort of smile or anything that gives her away, but nothing does. We both know she enjoyed last night just as much as I did, but when she keeps her serious stance, I take that as my cue to leave. The dream of her quickly turns into a nightmare as she acts confused by me. This is the same woman who nearly begged me to come back to her room last night, isn’t it?
Standing, not giving a fuck that I’m naked, I search around for my clothes that are not-so-conveniently scattered around the room. I feel her watching me, and when I look over my shoulder to meet her eyes, blush hits her cheeks. Knowing I’m getting to her, even if it’s just the slightest bit, is cute. It makes me want to kiss the fuck out of her, but if she wants to play hard to get, I’m game. A Bishop always gets what he wants, and I want—no—need more of her, especially after our night of pure ecstasy. And I know she secretly wants me too, even if she’s not ready to admit it just yet.
Being together was more emotional than I could’ve ever expected, so I understand why she’s pushing me away. While we were together, I found something I’d been missing with other hookups. Deeper feelings surfaced than I’d ever experienced before. From seeing her that first time at breakfast, to her coming to Dylan’s rescue on the beach, to spending hours chatting and drinking together—it’s already felt like more than any of my previous flings. In that short amount of time, we’ve built a connection that even I don’t understand. It’s frightening, but exhilarating all at the same time, and I’m ready to dive in head first to see where it goes. We have a week to experience each other to the fullest, and I’ll be damned if I allow precious time to be wasted. Sometimes a person has to put their cards on the table, call the bluff, and make a bet, even if the odds are stacked against them. I have to know if this is just a stupid vacation fling or if there’s potential for more between us. Our story could already be the lyrics to a stupid country song.
After I’m dressed, I give her a wink, taking one last long look at her—knowing deep down it won’t be the last time we’re together—before leaving. The connection we shared was almost too much. It’s intoxicating and feels like it will completely swallow me whole or break me—I’m not sure which one it is yet. We may barely know each other, but something about her pulls me to her, like an invisible lasso. She’s holding the rope and calling the shots.
Hunger takes over as soon as I leave her room, so I take the elevator down to the coffee shop in the hotel lobby and grab a few muffins and a giant coffee to take back to my room.
To know I’ve actually been snubbed is a strange sensation. Not often has that happened to me; actually, I don’t think it ever has. I’m usually the one pushing girls out of my bed in the morning, and oddly enough, it makes me want her that much more. The chase makes it that much more interesting and fun, as crazy as that sounds. For a moment, I slightly understand Crazy Carly then try to forget the stupid thought as I ride the elevator to my floor.
Before I slide my keycard, I pound on the door like I’m the police and wait for some sort of noise on the other side. Since there’s no answer, I assume the coast is clear and enter.
“Fuck!” I shout. “It stinks like nasty sex in here.” Just as the words leave my mouth, I see rustling in the bed, then Jessica’s head pops up like a prairie dog.
“Howdy,” I tell her, taking a bite of my blueberry muffin, feeling slightly bad for being an asshole. As I chew the dry ass muffin, all I can think is how much better Mama’s are. Even my sister, Courtney, could put these nasty bricks to shame. In Key West, the biggest disappointment is the cooking.