Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
I reach for his jeans, but he stops me and tips my face back up. His beard is wet and glossy. “Not yet.”
“But—”
“This was just for you,” he says. “Every time you get naked in the future, I want you thinking about how sexy your body is, how strong and magical it is. You don’t ever doubt it again.”
I sigh and snuggle against him, feeling contentment over being in his bed with his arms wrapped around me. “I can work on that.”
“That’s my good girl,” he whispers as he presses a soft kiss to my forehead.
Chapter 11
Dotty
Iwake up the next morning with my body aching in the best way. My breasts and stomach have beard burn. My thighs hurt from squatting over Zac.
I reach for his side of the bed, determined to make him feel as good as he made me feel last night. Except he isn’t here.
I sit up, tugging up the blanket over my body as I hear the water in the bathroom stop running.
He steps out, a scowl on his face. His expression brightens he sees me, his eyes softening. “Hey, sleepyhead,” he crosses the room and drops a kiss on my forehead.
He’s already dressed in a soft gray T-shirt that’s faded. The material clings to his biceps and that slight pooch of his stomach. His blue jeans cling to his thighs and I let my gaze lift to that monster between his legs. I want him in me.
But he must know what I’m thinking about, because he says, “I have to leave in five.”
“Oh, something for work?” I ask softly. I don’t remember there being anything on the schedule for the two of us to do today. But then again, every thought in my head kind of fell out as soon as Zac put his magic tongue all over my body.
He groans. “I have to be on the road all day for radio interviews, but I would love to take you out on a date tonight.”
It’s not one of our three dates, but I still want to go with him. The more time I spend around Zac, the more amazed I am at the strong man he is.
“Well, Book Club is scheduled to end early tonight,” I tell him. He gives me a grin. “Great, I’ll pick you up after that.”
After a flurry of kisses that grow increasingly hotter, Zac wrenches himself away from me and gives me a smirk. “Be good while I’m gone.”
“It depends on whether you make it worth my while,” I tease.
“Good girls always get rewards,” he promises with a slow wink that makes my heart race. This man has no right to be so sexy.
After Zac leaves, I take a quick shower and gather my things. As I hurry out of his place, I make my way to The Courage Chronicle to finish up my work.
I’m driving Rust Bucket on the way to book club when I realize I haven’t called my parents in a couple of weeks. I debate whether I should even call for a long moment before guilt finally wins out.
They’re my family, and I think of the Maple family, how they’re always calling and talking to each other. Obviously, closeness starts with actually talking to my parents.
Maybe if I work a little harder, we can be as close as the Maples one day. As soon as I think that thought, my heart aches. Should getting along with your family really be this complicated?
With a deep breath, I connect to them using the hands-free mode on my phone. Despite the fact that I know they are both home from work, neither of them picks up when I call.
I do what I’ve always done and try to leave a cheerful voicemail.
“Hey, it’s me. I’ve written two articles since last month, and I’ve interviewed someone really cool. He’s…well, we’re kind of dating now, and he’s pretty great,” I tell them with a hitch in my voice.
I can’t believe I’m telling them about my fake relationship. But there’s a small, desperate part of me that hopes if I tell them about Zac, they’ll reach out and ask all sorts of questions. Maybe they’ll even want to meet him.
For some crazy reason, my heart leaps at the idea. It would finally be proof that they care, that I actually matter.
“He’s really special,” I explain, “and I’m going on a date with him later tonight, so I’ll call you soon. Oh, and Mom, I ate two salads this week without croutons. Anyway, I’ll talk to you both later.”
I end the call and release a relieved breath that it’s over. I want to call Zac and listen to the quiet rumble of his voice. I want him to reassure me that he cares about me. But I don’t call, because I know he’s busy. Instead, I swallow down the emotions and park Rust Bucket outside of Sadie’s bakery.