Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I drag my lower lip through my teeth. I swear I feel his testosterone washing over my body like a warm wave.
What made me think I hated men?
This one makes all those qualities I usually hate seem admirable.
To distract myself from undressing him in my mind, I get up and search the kitchen, making myself at home. “You know what I’m craving?”
Caleb grunts.
“Hot chocolate. Do you have hot chocolate?” I rummage through cupboards.
“What do you think?” Caleb sounds disgusted.
“It doesn’t need to be the mix. I can use any chocolate bar… melt it down or something.” I grab an unmarked bottle. “What’s this?”
“Nothing.”
I shake the bottle and it sloshes. “Doesn’t sound like nothing.” I pop the cork and take a whiff. Pure grain alcohol sears my nose and I sputter. “Whew, hello.” I cough. “What is this, one thousand proof?”
“No.” Caleb’s at my side, reaching for the bottle. I didn’t even see him move. “Put it back. That stuff is stronger than you can imagine.”
“No.” I hide the bottle behind my back, pleased I’ve gotten him out of his chair. He crowds me against the cabinets. “It’s mine now.”
“I’m warning you. It’s way too strong for a hum—I mean woman.”
“Were you going to say human?” I laugh. “Finders keepers.”
“What you gonna do, drink it?” He crosses his arms in front of his chest, making his biceps bulge beautifully.
“Maybe I will.” I pull the bottle out from behind my back and eye it. It’s a little intimidating in its brown bottle. I sniff the rim. Smells a bit like turpentine. Maybe it’s not really drinkable.
Caleb towers over me. He’s all in my space and my body seems to love it. I touch my tongue to the glass.
“You wouldn’t,” he says.
Now I have something to prove. “Bottoms up.” I take a swig.
Next thing I know I’m bent over, gasping, as lighter fluid sears my insides.
“Miranda,” he yelps, and pounds my back. There’s a smoking pit where my stomach used to be. It’s the first time he’s said my name, and I like the way it sounds. Especially with that note of concern.
“Damn,” I cough, my eyes streaming. “That really cleans out the pipes.”
“I thought you were going to take a sip, not drink half the damn bottle.” He must have saved the bottle from tumbling out of my nerveless hands, because he sets it on the counter with a thud.
“Your turn,” I rasp.
“No way.” He propels my willing body into a chair.
“You’re the one who wanted it back. I dare you.”
“No.”
I point to the bottle. “Chicken.”
His eyes narrow. Inwardly, I crow. I don’t know what possesses me to harass this guy, but now that I’m sure he’s actually a gentleman, I love goading him. The female tests the male to make sure he’s worthy in a form of flirtation...
Growling under his breath, he stalks to the counter, grips the bottle’s neck and takes a pull. I eye him waiting for signs of distress. Nothing. Nada. Not a cough or an eye twitch. Caleb is badass.
Meanwhile, the alcohol isn’t so much hitting my bloodstream as blazing a fiery trail through each and every limb. I pump my fist in the air and I whoop. “Truth or dare!”
Caleb sits across from me, his fist clenched on the bottle. “Oh, no. It’s your turn.”
“All right.” I lick my lips. His gaze snaps to my mouth. Dammit, I gotta stop. “Um… truth.” I don’t think I can take a dare quite yet, especially if it involves turpentine flavored moonshine.
“Where’s your man?”
“What?” My mouth moves slowly now. In fact, my whole face is a bit numb. I pat my lips until I realize what I’m doing. “What man are you talking about?”
“The man whose ass I’m gonna kick for letting you come up here alone and unescorted.”
My brow wrinkles as I try to figure out who he’s talking about. “Man whose ass you’re gonna kick… you mean my boss?”
“No, but I don’t like him either.” His growl shakes the table. Dr. Alogore is definitely on his shit list. Scary mountain man is intimidating. I definitely wouldn’t want to be on his bad side. I mean, in a non-flirty way. Oh God—am I flirting?
I never flirt!
“I mean your man. Don’t tell me a woman like you doesn’t have a man.” By the way he sweeps my body with his gaze, things suddenly become crystal clear.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” I wave my hands. Damn, is it hot in here? I unbutton a couple buttons on the flannel shirt. “Um.” I refocus on Caleb. “Those are a lot of assumptions for you to be making, buddy. First of all, I do not have a man. It is not a requirement for a woman like me or anyone to be attached to someone with a penis. I am not ‘had’… by anyone. Ever.”