Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
It was easy and natural.
I had thought it would be weird since we don’t know each other all that well, yet we’ve already had wild drunk fornication. I know sex is on the menu tonight, and while I was nervous about it when I rang his doorbell—mainly because Derek’s dumping and insult to my sexual prowess has dented my confidence—Cannon has managed to make me feel comfortable. Not once this evening, outside that first kiss when I arrived, have I been made to feel that sex was at the forefront of his mind.
I mean… it might be. God knows I’ve been thinking about it, but Cannon seemed genuinely content to hang over a long dinner where the conversation was enough to make the evening great.
After rinsing the bowl, he puts it in the dishwasher alongside the other tableware we used. I tried to help him put stuff away when we were done, but he insisted I stay seated and finish off my wine. While I don’t mean to compare Cannon to Derek or any other guy I’ve dated, I know Derek would have never cleaned up. Because he was the bigger breadwinner in our house, I was expected to maintain the home even though I worked a demanding full-time job.
That was clearly a warning sign I overlooked, and it’s a lesson I won’t ever forget when looking at future partners.
Not that I’m looking at Cannon for that. I’m just saying… it’s beyond the realm of my experience, which means my standards were quite low.
After drying his hands, Cannon turns toward me, leaning back against the counter. His palms press onto the granite at his hips, and he crosses one leg over the other. I have no clue what this thing is between us or how long it will last, but I know I’ll never forget how beautiful he is at this moment. Not just because of his near perfect good looks, but because I don’t feel out of my depth with him.
Lord knows I should be since he’s gorgeous, rich, famous, and sexy beyond all imagination. Just yesterday, I wasn’t grounded where Cannon’s concerned.
But since walking through his door tonight, he’s centered me with easy conversation, laughs, solid advice, and genuine care for my situation. It appears Cannon West is the real deal, although I can still hear my parents’ voices whispering to me to beware.
I push them away. Cannon is no Derek, and not just comparing them side by side. They’re different because I’m different. I’m not going to fall or follow blindly.
“I can tell by your expression you have some deep thoughts running through that pretty head of yours,” Cannon teases.
There’s no stopping the warming blush. “Just conversing with myself about you.”
“What about me?” He pushes off from the sink and leans on the island, directly across from me. There’s three feet of counter space between us but the intensity of his stare makes it feel like inches.
“Just that you’re very easy to be around, and it’s a little surprising,” I admit.
Cannon’s eyebrows rise, his expression an exaggeration of offended shock.
I laugh. “I’m just saying… you’re the head coach of a professional hockey team. A world traveler. You hang out in esteemed circles. And yet tonight, sharing a meal with you, is the most relaxed I’ve been in a long time. You might be one of the most unassuming people I’ve ever met.”
He smiles, and there’s a wickedness to it that makes my spine tingle. “If you knew what I was thinking right now, you wouldn’t feel so mellow.”
Yeah… not calm at all. In fact, distinctly tense with anticipation, especially as he moves around the island toward me.
Prowl might be a better word and my heart feels like it’s going to explode. As Cannon rounds the corner, I swivel toward him, and my breath freezes as he cups the back of my head. Leaning down, he doesn’t kiss my mouth but rather feathers his lips just below my ear. “Are you ready to get fucked?”
The air wheezes out of me as my hands clutch at his shirt to keep myself upright. “Did you really just say that?”
Cannon chuckles as he moves his mouth to mine. “I really just said that.” He kisses me softly, grazing his teeth over my lower lip. Pulling back, his eyes lock onto mine, and they’re filled with challenge and amusement. “I’m a dirty talker. Is that a problem?”
I shake my head. “I’m a dirty listener,” I assure him as I grip his shirt tighter. “I could probably be a dirty talker myself, but I’m not sure I really know how to.”
Cannon laughs and presses a kiss to the tip of my nose that is so sweet, I can’t hold back a sigh. It’s short-lived though because next thing I know, I’m off the stool and over his shoulder.