Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
This nonsense has to stop. Pursuing anything with Ben is a no-no. Out of the question. Not happening! And why not? Because it’s crazy! He’s been my nemesis since I was thirteen. He’s hot. I’m nowhere near ready to date. He’s well-endowed. He makes my skin boil. That’s called arousal, girlfriend. He’s probably not even into me. Oh, he’s into you. The way he looks at you. . . he’s more than into you.
Not doing it.
He may be all those things, but he’s also a headache I don’t need right now. I need to focus on myself and starting over.
And how’s that going?
Great until he walked into my classroom, looking all fine and delicious. The way he was with the kids melted my heart. The way he looked at me melted my panties. Like a good girl, I pulled it together and shut him down. I had no idea what he was about to say, but for a second, I would have agreed to anything he was asking. Thank God I snapped out of the trance he always seems to put me in.
Until now. I watch him take a sip of his beer, my eyes trained on his neck as he swallows. Hot. Well-endowed— “Oh, shut it.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
See, now I’m the crazy one. “Sorry, I was thinking out loud. Let’s go.” We head over to Hannah, and she stands, giving me a hug.
“Yay, you guys made it.”
“Yeah, hope you don’t mind I brought Jenny.”
“Of course not. Nice to see you again.” Hannah goes in and hugs Jenny. It leaves me vulnerable. I look over at Ben, and my belly flips. He’s the kind of handsome that touches your soul. His beautiful eyes glance back at me. I follow them as they dip to my lips, then farther until he locks on my—
“What the hell are you wearing?”
I blink. Then look down. “What? What’s wrong with it?” I look back up at him.
Ben scoffs at me and slams his beer on the table. “What’s wrong is you’re wearing the wrong team jersey.”
Hannah starts giggling.
Levi’s eyes go wide.
Chase slaps him across the chest.
His snarky comment pisses me off. Even more, the change in demeanor from today is proof enough I’m making the right decision in steering clear of him. “Seems it’s you who has on the wrong jersey. But you’ve always sucked. Why shouldn’t your team?” I say, taking in his jersey.
“Give me a break. They have the best record in baseball—”
“Says the hopeful fan. Clearly you don’t know how to count. Their batting—”
“Is mint. Unlike your team. What a joke. They’re gonna get swept.”
“Put your money where your mouth is, pal.” I cross my arms over my chest and tap my foot, waiting for another rebuttal.
He stands up, and everyone becomes mute as he gets in my face. Dipping his head down, his mouth inches from mine, he says, “Name the price, sweetheart.”
“So many things come to mind. Want to make it count when I win,” I spit out.
He leans in closer. “Oh yeah? What are we talking?”
“Nasty things.”
“I can think of a few nasty things to do when I win.”
“I’m sure they’ll be boring.”
“Trust me, they’ll be anything but.”
“Are we still talking about the bet?” Chase chimes in.
Ben’s lips curl into a wicked grin. “What else would we be talking about?” he asks, never pulling his eyes from mine.
“Game started. Do we need to sit you kids on opposite sides of the table?” Levi asks.
I tear my eyes from Ben’s. “Not a chance. I want to be close every time my team scores. Hearing him cry will give me immense pleasure.” Levi chokes on his sip of beer, and Ben’s grin widens.
Levi gets up from his stool and moves to a seat at the end of the table. “Now, that’s something I would hate to take away from you.”
“I’ll sit!” Jenny blurts out, taking Hannah’s vacant chair. Hannah doesn’t attempt to claim her seat back and grabs her drink to sit by Levi.
Ben frowns. “Whatever. Great.” He stands. “I’m going to the bar. What would the losing team like? Least I can do is get you a pity drink.” His mischievous grin ignites the swarm of butterflies. I fight to hold back a cheesy smile.
“I’m good. I can get my own drink.” I start making my way toward the bar.
Ben follows. “Not a chance. It’s my pleasure. You’ll need something to cry into soon.”
I hold in my chuckle, giving him the okay. Lifting my hand, I wave to get the bartender’s attention. “Hey, can I get a vodka cranberry? And my friend would like your most popular hard seltzer.” Goosebumps rush down my arms at the sound of his laughter. I look over my shoulder. “I’m sorry, did you want something more girly?” I snap a million mental photos of him and his charming smile.