Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
She missed the days where everyone at the club was like family instead of only coworkers. But those damn Demons destroyed and continued to destroy that atmosphere.
But—and it was a big ‘but’—until she had a chance to step back into that role, she’d do what she needed to do to make ends meet.
No ifs, ands or buts about it.
Like Rez, she wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She was like almost every other American these days… Living paycheck to paycheck. Even one missed week of pay could be financially devastating.
So, that meant dealing with Saint the Taint, his miserable band of biker bastards and stripping on stage, as well as trying to lure customers out of their seats and into the VIP room as much as she could.
Rez needed to understand that. And also, that it wouldn’t change any time soon.
She wasn’t looking for a free ride by hooking up with some guy. Because in the end, nothing in life was free. She would pay for it in one way or another.
Most likely with her independence.
And that was absolutely not for sale.
Despite his hints—both subtle and in her face—she loved spending time with him. Not to mention, the sex was top-notch.
She was well aware that his natural instinct of being protective and bossy helped make him a good cop. But not every woman wanted that in her life full time.
Been there, done that. Had the disappointment and heartbreak to show for it.
Maybe she needed to draw some lines and set up some rules in their relationship. Lines he couldn’t cross. Rules he’d need to follow. And if he couldn’t accept her terms, she’d need to end it.
Admittedly, that would suck.
But it would be better to do it sooner than later because she really liked him.
A lot.
And waiting too long would make it too painful.
She opened her eyes and glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand.
Nine.
No wonder a sliver of the bright morning sun peeked through his drawn blinds.
As she began to roll away to get up and start her day, Rez tightened his arm around her and pulled her back into his chest.
The way he liked to sleep when she stayed overnight.
She’d never been with a man before that needed so much physical contact. Usually after sex, they either left, she left, or they rolled to their side of the bed and fell asleep.
Not Rez.
“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was thick from sleep. He followed his question with a loud yawn and a poke of his morning wood against her ass.
“It’s nine.”
He lifted his head, glanced over at the clock and groaned. “Fuck. It certainly is.”
He rolled her from her side onto her back and trapped her with his weight. He appeared relaxed and content and the very corners of his mouth were tipped upward. “Breakfast?”
She needed to have that conversation with him about boundaries, but the timing wasn’t right. She’d prefer to carefully consider the best way to approach it. She didn’t want to cut him off, but she wanted him to cut it out.
“I think I’ll head home. I need to do some cleaning,” and thinking, “before heading into work.”
He planted both palms into the bed and pushed up. His forehead wrinkled from displeasure and, most likely, confusion. “You still would need to eat.”
She pulled her attention from the very attractive way the muscles in his arms and shoulders flexed and bunched as they held his weight. She shook herself mentally since she couldn’t let his sexiness distract or tempt her. “I’ll grab something quick on the way.”
“Phire…”
“Rez…”
He shook his head and his deep brown eyes narrowed on hers. “Okay, what did I do or say to fuck this up? At least give me that much.”
“Nothing. You can’t help who you are.”
Both his easy expression and his dark eyes turned guarded. “Damn.”
“I didn’t mean that in a bad way.”
He pushed off of her and flopped onto his back. “I warned you about my foot-in-mouth disease.”
“And I heard and heeded that warning,” she assured him.
“Then, what is it?”
She needed to be careful with what she said. She didn’t want what they had to end, she only needed him to loosen up a little. She was starting to feel overwhelmed by his intense need to be with her. Something she wasn’t used to.
She climbed out of bed. “Look, I’m tired. When I’m over here, I don’t get much sleep and I’ve been spending a lot of time over here.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
She collected her teddy from the floor where he’d thrown it last night after peeling her out of it during their second round of sex. She stuffed it into her overnight bag, grabbed panties, a slouchy sweater and leggings, along with a pair of socks to wear home.
With her clothes in her arms, she answered, “No, Rez, it’s not a bad thing—well, except for the tired part—but I have things to do at home.”