Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Large hands grab hold of me before swinging me around. I squeal when my feet are lifted off the floor and hang on for dear life.
“Best. Show. Ever,” Mike singsongs mid-swing.
I fasten my arms around his shoulders. The last thing I need is to fall and break my leg. That would be a major bummer. “It went off without a hitch.”
“Sure did. Let’s hope it just continues to get better and better.”
He’s all smiles as he sets me back on my feet.
I keep my arms loosely wrapped around his neck as he drops his voice. “What’s up with tall, blond and brooding in the corner?” He pauses before adding, “I’m so intrigued.”
I don’t have to glance over my shoulder to realize who he’s asking about.
Carson.
Unable to help myself, I turn until my gaze can settle on him. Electricity zips through my veins, lighting up every nerve ending. We haven’t seen or spoken since the night I found him in my room. After he stalked out, I wasn’t sure where we stood with one another.
Even now, I’m still not certain. The stereo silence that followed after the incident seemed to be a pretty good indication of the answer.
“There’s nothing up with him. We’ve known each other since we were kids.” I pause before forcing myself to add, “He’s like a brother to me.”
Mike’s narrowed eyes bounce between the two of us as if he’s trying to silently puzzle out a problem. “Methinks you might be lying.”
Wanting to avoid the conversation, I shift my gaze. “No, I’m not.”
“Ha!” he crows. “You’ve got the hots for him!”
I swat at his arm. “Shhh! He’ll hear you.”
Mike rolls his eyes and huffs out a breath. “From across the room? Unless he can lip read, that’s doubtful. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “I don’t know how much of a secret it is.”
He perks up and moves his fingers in a give-me-more gesture. “Do tell. I’m all ears.”
Of course he is. Mike lives for all the juicy gossip. All right, we both do. It’s what we originally bonded over in theater class.
“I might have forgotten to mention that I’ve been holding out for him.”
His eyes widen as his mouth falls open. “No way! I love it. Have you told him yet? Did he jump your bones?” His gaze cuts to the football player. “Ohhh, I just bet he did, and I can only imagine that it was fantastic.”
I glance away, embarrassed to share the details of that night with someone. “Hardly.” More like the opposite.
“Let me guess, you took matters into your own hands and jumped him instead?”
I shake my head. “There was absolutely no jumping of any kind going on.”
His expression falls. “Well, that’s a rather disappointing end to this story.”
I don’t bother to mention the last time we were together. How he made me orgasm before promptly walking out of my dorm.
Pursing his lips, Mike shifts his stance and stares across the room. “Think it’s possible he bats for the other team?” Excitement lights up his eyes. “Or...could he be persuaded to? You know me. I’m always up for a challenge.”
Laughter gurgles up from my throat. “Definitely not.”
He sighs. “That’s too bad. The guy has hot sex written all over him.”
I tilt my head as my gaze locks on Carson. A sizzle of electricity zips down my spine. Ever since we arrived, I’ve been acutely aware of his presence. No matter where I was or who I was conversing with, I could feel the burn of his gaze singeing me alive. The longer we stare, the more impossible it becomes to look away. He can deny it all he wants, but there’s a combustible attraction that pulses between us, drawing us to one another. Or am I the only one who feels the intense lure of it?
After the other night, I’m not sure.
“The guy certainly can’t take his eyes off you. He looks ready to stomp over here, throw you over his shoulder, and carry you away. I, for one, would pay good money to see that happen.”
The thought of Carson doing exactly that has a burst of arousal exploding in my belly. “It’s not like that.” More like wishful thinking on my part.
“I think it could be. Why else would he be here?”
I shrug. “He came with my brother and his girlfriend. He’s just as protective of me as Brayden.”
“Hmm.” Mike glances around the thick crowd. “Where did they disappear off to?”
I pull my gaze from Carson and search the vicinity for the newly minted couple but don’t find them anywhere. “Good question. Maybe they went to the kitchen to get something to drink.”
Mike unwraps his arm from around my waist before giving me a little shove in Carson’s direction. “You should keep him company until they return. He looks lonely. Plus, I’ve noticed that bitch, Sara, circling like a hungry shark. Once she sinks her teeth into him, she’ll gobble him up in one tasty gulp. I’ve seen it happen before and trust me, it’s not a pretty sight.”