Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“You’re always so wet for me, Hart. It turns me on knowing that you get so wet for me.”
I clasp my hands on his face. “I do,” I say before kissing him.
His tongue dances along my tongue, and my body grows hot with desire. I need him. I need him one last time before this all comes to its inevitable end.
“Hartford…” Paxton pauses, gazing into my eyes as he holds me close. He looks so serious, and I swear I feel like he’s going to tell me he loves me. My heart jumps into my throat as I wait for him to speak. “I love feeling your body against mine,” he finally says, and it’s like a whoosh of air escapes my lungs.
He may not love me, but I definitely love him. I love him so much that I imagine he’s promising me forever with every touch.
With every kiss of his lips on my skin. I ingrain the memory into my brain. With every movement, I pray it’s not the last time.
He makes slow love to me, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself, and when we’re done, he holds me tight. Our hearts beat in unison, and I nearly cry at the thought of this ending.
As we lie there, I kiss his throat before propping up on my elbow. “My article is done.”
Paxton studies me for a beat before smiling. “That’s great. What did Mr. Charleston think?”
“He loved it. And thank you for letting me stay. My place is ready to move back into.”
“Sure, always. You’re my best friend. I’d do anything for you.”
I lay back against his chest, thinking about how this is all over now. We’re done. This is over. I don’t know how I feel about that.
Who am I kidding?
I’ll be a wreck for the unforeseeable future.
On my lunch break at work, I stop by my favorite Pad Thai place. I think about Paxton bringing me lunch yesterday and decide to return the favor. To make sure we’re friends. That things haven’t gotten weird between us. I order him chicken Pad Thai and walk across the street toward Atta Boy.
The sun’s shining overhead, and I’m actually happy. Sure, it’ll be weird going home to my empty house, but things are feeling the same between Paxton and me. We’re slowly heading back into the friend zone where we belong.
Right?
I head into Atta Boy’s and I walk over to the bar.
“Hi, Trudi. Do you know where Pax is?”
She jabs a thumb over her shoulder. “He’s in the brewery. Go on back.”
I walk past the bar, into the kitchen, waving at Griffin in his chef’s jacket as I pass through. When I head into the brewery, I don’t see anyone.
I walk up to the office door and stop dead in my tracks when I hear Paxton talking with Brock and Tripp.
“It’s obvious you’re in love with Hartford.”
I inch closer, wanting to know how Paxton will respond. My heart beats loudly in my ears as I stay as still as possible.
“Love?” Paxton roars with laughter. “I’m not in love with Hartford. We’re just friends.”
Just friends.
And there’s the final nail in the coffin.
Just friends.
I race back to the bar and leave the Pad Thai with Trudi to hand off to Paxton.
Then I bolt.
Just friends.
Something I never want to be with Paxton ever again.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Paxton
I’m lying. Of course, I’m in love with Hartford, but I’m not about to admit it to my brothers before I tell her. No one deserves to know the truth before her. I almost told her yesterday. It was right there, but I got scared and told her I loved her body against mine instead. However, when she said it was time for her to return home, I knew I had to man up and make my move.
I just need to do it now.
When I walk out of the back, Trudi waves me over. She tilts her head toward a bag on the bar as she wipes down a glass. “Hartford left that for you.”
I pick up the bag and peek inside. Pad Thai. My eyes lift to Trudi. “She dropped it off and didn’t want to see me?”
She shrugs. “She went back, but I guess she couldn’t find you.” She slings the bar towel over her shoulder and taps her lip. “Actually, she ran out from the back and dropped the bag like it was on fire, telling me to give it to you. She looked upset, honestly.”
Fuck.
What are the chances she overheard me?
“Fuck,” I curse out, grabbing the bag from the bar. “I’m heading out,” I tell her, rushing out the front entrance.
I hop in my Jeep, and race toward Hartford’s house. It’s time to tell this woman how I feel. No matter what.
If she rejects me, then at least I’ll know.
It’s now or never.