Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
He nods. “Most of my adult life.”
“Do you know any breakfast places?”
A furrow creases his brows, and his tongue peeks between his lips before he sucks his lower lip between his teeth.
Holy…
My body reacts instantly. My thighs cinch together, and the pulse between my legs becomes more pronounced. Lust fogs my brain, and I’m not sure I can think clearly anymore.
My foot catches on something, and I stumble forward, arms flailing wildly. I’m certain I’m about to embarrass myself when my fingers grasp his bicep with a white-knuckled grip.
His bicep feels like a steel pole with how hard it is.
Time slows to a crawl. When I lift my face, he’s staring at me with a wild look in his eyes. Alec’s face twists in an expression I don’t understand, his gaze zeroing on my hand on him.
When I’m sure I’ve regained my balance, I let go of him and turn straight ahead. Electricity zaps through the air, and I know I’m one touch away from combusting into flames.
Fortunately, we make it to the fifth floor without me making an absolute fool of myself … for the second time or third time. We stop in front of my door, and Alec waits while I swipe my key card and the door gives off a faint click.
I’m about to take the books from him when an almost boyish uncertainty passes his face. Thickness hangs between us like a heavy fog, and his throat flexes when he swallows and opens his mouth as if to say something.
He flicks his eyes behind me, but when he brings them back to my face, he lets out a deep sigh. “I know some.”
“Huh?” I don’t remember the last thing I said because my rioting emotions have taken over. “What’s that?”
“You asked me if I knew some breakfast places.”
I did? When? “Do you?”
“Yeah. A few blocks down. If you…” All my paperbacks rest on his one hand while his other reaches behind him to rub the back of his neck. “If you want, I can take you there tomorrow.”
If Alec sprouted wings or horns, I couldn’t possibly have been more shocked. Is he asking me out? On a breakfast date? No. Maybe I’m overthinking it. I asked him about it first, and maybe he was just being nice and taking me there.
Whatever the case, I don’t care. Happiness blooms within me, and I beam at him, no longer concerned whether I look manic. “Sure. It’s my treat.”
Alec steps back as if I just hit him. “What? No.”
“You helped me carry my books all the way here. It’s the least I can do.”
He dumps the books in my arms and shakes his head. “If you do that, I won’t tell you where it is.”
Before I have a chance to respond, he spins on his heel, shoving his hands in his pockets. He says something, but I’m too distracted by his retreating back to understand it. God, even his back looks sexy—the wide shoulders that taper to a slim waist. The perfect ass. I don’t mind this kind of view … not at all.
“Wait, Alec. What did you say?”
“7 AM tomorrow. I’ll pick you up.”
It may just be breakfast to him, but to me, it’s a date. No one can convince me otherwise.
Mom will be so proud of me. After 27 years on this Earth, I’m finally going on a date.
“Honey, how’s your new place? Is the elevator working now?”
I moan and slump on the sofa, propping my legs on the armrest. “No.”
“Do you want to move?”
“Absolutely not!”
I can almost see the gears turning in her head. “Why not? The elevator sold you, didn’t it? Now you know it doesn’t work, you still don’t want to move?”
“It’s not that,” I say lamely, twirling my hair around my finger. “Fine. I have a hot neighbor.”
“Ooh, how hot? Wait, I need to sit down for this.” There’s a soft thud in the background and the creak of a chair. “Okay, go on. How hot?”
“Scorching. Like I’m about to melt where I’m standing.”
Mom laughs. “Then? Why don’t you go to him and tell him your lightbulb keeps flickering? Maybe borrow salt or oil. Or you know, maybe you can bring him some of your baked goods.”
“First of all, it’s scary where your mind is going. Second, that’s too obvious, Mom. He doesn’t seem like the type to welcome advances, you know. I need to be a little subtle … if I’m going to do anything at all. Which I’m still not sure I should.”
“That’s true. Besides, you’re an awful liar.”
“Mom!”
“Remember when we asked you if you finished your volcano project and you said yes? Even Lila could tell you were lying through your teeth.”
“Lila’s our dog, Mom.”
“Exactly my point. So why don’t you just knock on his door and ask him if he can eat with us on your birthday dinner?”