Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“How is your back?” he asked after a moment.
“It’s better. My physical therapist is coming over at three to stretch me out and make sure nothing else is going on.”
“Do you work today?”
“I’m working from home. Sometimes when my back spasms like that, it’ll come back again and I don’t want to deal with it at work.”
“This happens often?”
“It used to, right after the accident, but it’s been better lately. I have to remember to sit down more often.”
“I will remind you in the future.”
Our eyes met and the fire lurking behind his did things to me. He was an awkward, quirky mess, but he was so damn good-looking. And strong. And rich enough to not be after my money. Which was a big thing for me. I’d already learned that lesson the hard way, so anyone I let into my life had to be financially secure.
“I was mad this morning,” I admitted after a moment.
He looked so uncomfortable it made me uncomfortable, and that took a lot.
“But you’ve made up for it nicely,” I added quickly. It wasn’t that I was trying to let him off the hook so soon, but I already understood that Lars didn’t take social cues like other people did. Maybe it was the language barrier or maybe it was just his personality, but there was no doubt his quirkiness wasn’t an act. He was genuinely unsure how to handle situations like this, and though I longed to ask him why, this wasn’t the time. Not yet. Until I decided whether or not I was going to pursue things with him, I’d keep those questions to myself.
“Sometimes I don’t understand…dating rituals. Or women. I understand sex, but the other stuff…” He shrugged. “I never want to upset you, but you have to tell me what you need from me.”
“Okay.” I smiled. “I can do that.”
“I would like to spend time with you, get to know you better.” His eyes sought out mine again. “But I do not want to impose if you are busy.”
“I have a few things going on, and my three o’clock session is very important, but other than that, we can hang out. I don’t mind at all. I’d like to get to know you better too.”
“Okay.” He went back to eating and I did too. What an interesting turn of events this was. Of course, I had to bring up the press we’d been getting.
“So I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures from last night online.”
He nodded. “The team’s PR department called me in. They wanted details.”
“What did you tell them?”
“My contract says I do not have to do any press unless directed by one of my coaches or the general manager.”
“So…?”
“I told her nothing.”
“Well, at some point, we’re going to have to say something,” I said thoughtfully. “I don’t talk about my personal life either, but I’ve never dated someone as famous as you before, so this kind of changes things.”
“What will you say?” he asked.
“Basically, that we’ve gone out on a few dates and it’s none of anyone’s business.”
“This is okay for me also.”
We smiled at each other and he pushed his plate away.
“What would you like to do now?” I asked, arching a brow playfully.
He narrowed his eyes a little. “This is trick question?”
I laughed. “No. If we could do anything today, what would you want to do?”
“If I tell the truth, you will be mad.”
My face fell a little. “You want to leave?”
His eyes narrowed as he reached out a hand to me. “No! Not even close. I would want to spend the day making love to you.”
“Oh.” I stood up and took a step toward him. “Why would that make me mad?”
“Your back?” He pulled me between his legs and I leaned against his solid chest.
“My back is fine. We just can’t get too crazy. No twisting or wild positions so I don’t irritate it.”
“This is okay.” He wrapped one arm around me and dug the other into the hair at the back of my neck, pulling my face down to his. His lips parted, his eyes closed, and I was lost. This guy did things to me. For all his idiosyncrasies, my body understood the pleasure that was on the horizon, and I forgot everything else.
His kiss was gentle but firm, showing me how much he wanted me while simultaneously taking it easy because of my back.
“Can I undress you?” he whispered against my mouth.
“Let’s go to the bedroom,” I said. “The bed is easier for me.”
“Yes.” He reached down and scooped me up, carrying me to my room.
I didn’t give it a second thought this time, because I knew he wouldn’t drop me.
He set me on my feet and tugged my T-shirt over my head. I wore a simple sports bra beneath it and he cocked his head. “This is not a regular bra. I do not want to hurt you.”