Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Skid was sitting at the front bar, talking with Jenna and a nearby customer. Jenna was smiling at him, and she looked so damn beautiful. I found myself wishing it was me she was talking to. I considered going over and joining them but decided against it when Jenna started laughing at something Skid had said.
I should’ve taken that as my cue and just left. That would’ve been the smart thing to do, but I let my hard head get the best of me and sat at a table in the back corner. A knot formed in my stomach as I sat there watching them laugh and carry on like a couple of love birds. I was tempted to go over and rip Skid a new one, but I couldn’t.
I had no claim to Jenna. She was simply a girl I was helping out.
Nothing more—even if I wanted it to be.
It was just the way it was.
I hadn’t been sitting there long when Jud came shuffling over with a cold one in his hand. He placed it in front of me as he said, “You look like you could use one of these.”
“As a matter of fact...” I picked it up and took a long pull before saying, “It’s been a day.”
“Must be something in the air.” Jud glanced around the almost empty bar and sighed. “Been the slowest night we’ve had in weeks.”
“I’m sure things will pick up.”
“I certainly hope so.” He motioned his head toward the front. “Your boy seems a bit smitten.”
“I see that.”
“You want me to do something about it?”
“Nah, no need in all that.” I quickly finished it off, then stood and dropped a ten on the table. “I’m heading out.”
“So soon?”
“I’ve got shit to do.”
I gave him a pat on the shoulder and started for the door. I’d just stepped outside when I heard Jenna call out, “Grim! Hold up!”
I glanced over my shoulder and my eyes met with hers. I held her gaze for a moment, then continued out to my bike and headed home.
The knot in my stomach was still there, and with every mile I drove, it got tighter and tighter. I needed to get a damn grip. I thought a hot shower might help, but no such luck. So, I tried a drink and then another. I was about to pour a third when Jenna walked through the front door, and I couldn’t help but notice that she was alone.
“Where’s Luna?”
“She’s staying with Stacie tonight.” She dropped her purse and keys on the table. “I’m going by in the morning to pick her up.”
I didn’t respond.
Instead, I poured myself that drink and tossed it back.
I didn’t miss the hesitation in her step as she made her way over to me. “I saw you at Rosie’s tonight.”
I gave her a silent nod.
“I called out to you.”
“I heard.”
“But you left.”
“I did.”
“Are you going to tell me why?”
I poured another drink as I told her, “You seemed to have enough company for the night.”
“Are you talking about Skid?” Her brows furrowed. “He was there for like two seconds. He just wanted to see how Luna was doing.”
“That’s not what he wanted.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re a smart girl. I’m sure you can figure it out.”
“Grim.”
“Back to Grim already, huh?”
“What is this?” She crossed her arms. “Are you jealous?
“I don’t get jealous.”
“Good, because you have no reason to be. I have zero interest in him. He’s just a friend.”
I cocked my brow and scoffed, “Does he know that?”
“I know he likes me. I’m not a complete idiot.” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Strike that. Actually, I am an idiot. I’m standing here trying to have this conversation with you, and you can’t even admit how you feel.”
“There’s nothing to admit.”
“You have feelings for me. You can deny it all you want, but I see the way you look at me... and the way your breath catches anytime I get too close.” She took a step forward. “Oh, and that kiss... That kiss said it all.”
“Jenna...”
“Don’t bother. I already know what you’re gonna say. I deserve better. You’re not right for me. You’re too old. I’m too young. I’ve got a kid. And you’d be right, but none of that really matters. Because I know there’s something here. I feel it, and I know you feel it, too.”
Before she could say anything more, I dropped my mouth to hers, silencing her with a kiss. She was right. I was going to say all of those things. Because they were true. But in the end, I couldn’t stop myself from wanting her.
Her mouth was warm and wet, and all her little moans and whimpers made my cock ache with need. I knew right then that there was no going back. She felt too good, too right. The scent of her skin, the warmth of her mouth, got to me in a way that no woman ever had.