Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 73515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73515 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
With a last lingering glance in my direction, she strode out of the hospital room. “Congrats, guys,” I said distractedly as I started toward the door. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
Audrey giggled. “We won’t wait up.”
A wolfish grin spread across my face. “Good call.” Then I was in the hallway, looking both directions until I spotted a perfect ass and the sexy sway of Piper’s hips as she went around a corner. I jogged after her and found her behind the nurses’ station writing on a clipboard before handing it to another woman in pink scrubs.
“I know you want to relax on your week off,” she said to Piper, “but try to have a little fun too.”
My smile widened. I would make sure she had plenty of fun. I wanted to get to know her, but “fun” would definitely include multiple orgasms.
“Piper.” My voice came out low and raspy because my muscles had clenched at the thought of her screaming my name in the throes of passion.
Her head whipped in my direction, and I smirked at the tiny shiver that wracked her body. “Is something wrong with Audrey?” she asked, her blue eyes filling with concern.
I shook my head and placed my elbows on the counter so I could lean forward, wanting to be closer to her, even if it was only a few more inches. “She’s great. I want to talk to you about something else.”
“Oh?” Piper looked startled but pleased.
“I’ll finish up your paperwork,” the nurse in pink scrubs offered with a wink at Piper before pushing her out from behind the desk.
“We weren’t formally introduced, but I’m Deacon.” I held out my hand, palm up, and waited.
Piper glanced at it, and twin spots of pink bloomed on her cheeks. After a second, she placed her hand in mine, and when my fingers closed around it, a shock of electricity coursed through me, burning a path of desire straight to my cock. From the slight widening of her eyes and quick inhale, I was confident she’d felt the same spark.
I was about to ask her to dinner when I realized it was seven o’clock in the morning. “Can I take you to breakfast?”
Her full, pouty lips curved up. “Sure. I’m starving.”
“Me, too,” I murmured, but I kept my eyes locked with hers and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, making it clear I was craving more than food.
The pretty blush stole across her cheeks again. “I, um, just need to grab my purse—” she cut off when a red bag was suddenly shoved into her arms. “I guess I’m ready to go,” she sputtered with a laugh.
I kept her hand firmly in mine as I led her toward the hospital entrance but stopped short when I realized I didn’t have a car. I’d driven Audrey and Merrick to the hospital in their vehicle, and my truck was back at their place. “Shit,” I grumbled.
“What’s wrong?” Piper’s expression had fallen, and I smiled ruefully to let her know she wasn’t the problem.
“I don’t have a car with me, which kind of throws a wrench in my plan to whisk you away.”
Piper laughed, and for a moment, I was mesmerized by the melodic sound. “I guess I’ll be the one doing the whisking,” she teased with a wink that sent the rest of the blood in my brain south. “Princess Charming to the rescue.”
It was my turn to laugh, and Piper grinned in delight. I didn’t release her hand, but I let her lead, and a few minutes later, we approached a rust bucket that looked like it wouldn’t make it out of the parking garage.
“This is your car?” I asked incredulously.
She shrugged as she put the key into the lock on the passenger side door. “I keep meaning to get a new one, but I’ve been too busy. Plus, this one is paid off.”
The key wouldn’t turn, and she jiggled it a few times before the mechanism finally clicked. She opened the door, and while the interior was just as old and decrepit as the outside, it was clean and orderly.
I shook my head and held my hand out, silently demanding the keys. No way in hell was I letting my woman behind the wheel of this death trap ever again. I’d drive it to Merrick's place and pick up my truck, then figure out her car situation later.
She raised an eyebrow and stared at my empty palm. “You have a problem with a woman driving?” she asked in a slightly snippy tone.
My lips curved up. “No, baby. I assure you; I have a healthy respect for women in power positions. If I didn’t, my rear admiral would have had my ass in the brig a long time ago.”
Piper’s other eyebrow rose. “Rear admiral?”
I nodded as I held open the door for her. “Chief Warrant Officer Deacon Walker, ma’am. US Navy SEAL.”