Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
She shook her head. “I believe you, you know.”
I took her hand from the steering wheel and lifted it to my lips, kissing the top. “You should. Because I mean it. There’s nothing I won’t do for you, Princess.”
She smiled. It was a step in the right direction. She believed me.
“I better go. We have a deposition in fifteen minutes across town, and I’ve been so preoccupied, I didn’t even realize that the file was at home.”
I opened the car door. If we had more time, I would have preferred to leave things for today. But, thirteen days. I had to ask. “Come home with me this weekend?”
“Chance…”
“I know. But I don’t have the luxury of time anymore. You have a decision to make. And Dick gets you all the time. I want to take you home with me. Show you what our life can be like. No crazy road trips. No interruptions. Just me and you. Give me a fair shot if you’re making this choice.”
“I told you. I can’t be with you like that. Richard is a good man. It wouldn’t be fair to cheat on him. Our kiss the other night was bad enough.”
“Bad? I thought it was pretty fucking phenomenal.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“Fine. I won’t touch you. Sexually, I mean. I won’t.”
She looked at me like she didn’t believe my intentions were genuine.
“Trust me. You have my word. I will not lay a finger on you in a sexual way.” It looked like she was considering it. I probably should have just kept my mouth shut. But, I wouldn’t be me if I did. “And when you make a move on me, I’ll refute it.”
Her eyebrows jumped. “When?”
“That’s right. When.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you, Cocky?”
She had no idea how much hearing her call me Cocky, did for me. “I am. Sounds like the only one that can’t control themselves is you.”
“I can absolutely control myself around you.”
I leaned in. “Then come with me. Give me a weekend before you decide. Please.”
She looked torn. “Let me think about it.”
That was better than a no. “Alright.”
“I really better go now.”
I exited the car and stood next to it as she started the engine. Right before pulling away, she rolled down the window. “Nice name, by the way.” Then, she disappeared.
It was the end of the second day since I’d spoken to Aubrey on her front lawn, and I still hadn’t heard from her. Eleven days. Time was ticking, and there wasn’t shit I could do about it.
Except get drunk.
It was a distinct possibility that I might have drank more sitting at that little bar across the street from the motel, than I had in the last five years of my life.
“Carla Babes. Hit me up again.”
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough, hot stuff?”
My brain was still working. “Nope. Not even close.” I held up the glass and clanked the ice around.
She took it, filled it with what I suspected from the color was pure club soda, and then proceeded to come around the other side of the bar and sit next to me. It was nearly closing time, and I had been sitting on that stool for close to six hours. We were the only two left in the bar.
Carla waited until I looked her straight in the eyes before she spoke. “She’s an idiot. You’re a great guy. I don’t even have to know Dick in order to be certain she’s making a big mistake. And it’s not just because you’re hot as fuck and have a body I’m pretty sure matches that perfect face. It’s because you’re committed.”
I scoffed. “I should be committed, alright.”
“I mean it, Chance. If a guy put in half the effort you do, I’d be impressed. You’re willing to lay it all out there day after day, even knowing that she could very well stomp on your heart.”
“Thanks, Carla Babes.”
“No problem. But it’s the truth. Plus…I’ve watched a dozen women try to pick you up in this place, and you never once even gave it any real thought. Considering you haven’t been laid in over two years, that’s a feat unto itself.”
“Eleven days. I suppose I might have to figure out how to get back in the saddle after all if things don’t pan out.”
“I tell you what. Closing time in eleven days. Things don’t work out. You meet me right here. I’d be honored to help you out with that. No talking. No strings. We’ll just walk across to your room, and I’ll let you ride all your frustrations away, cowboy.”
“You’d do that for me, Carla Babes?”
“For you? I’ve thought about doing that to you, since the day you walked in the door.” She gave me a quick kiss on the lips and sent me packing.