Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 143842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
“To family,” she continued. “To this group of amazing people. People I could never express just how thankful I am to have them in my life. And to Cody, of course.”
She winked at him, teasing him like he was an afterthought, even though it was clear they all adored him.
A grin spread over his face, the mountain of a man ridiculously gorgeous as he sat back in the stool.
Everyone leaned in to clink their glasses together, Savannah’s a virgin since Paisley refused to leave anyone out. “To us! And to Cody, of course.”
Laughter rang as everyone tossed back their shots.
Everyone except for Cody who shifted his focus my direction.
I could feel those eyes on me as I pressed my lips to the sugared rim before I tossed the lemon drop back.
Could feel them as I swallowed the intensely sweet concoction down, one that left a burning wake of fire in its path.
Could feel them as a full-body shiver tore through me.
I squeezed my eyes closed as I was hit with a thousand different sensations.
The rush of alcohol swept through my system and spun my head a fraction, a buzz washing me through, but I had to wonder if it had more to do with the man sitting next to me than anything else.
Intoxicating.
Overwhelming.
All-consuming.
His voice was rough when he leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Can’t help but wonder if that is your exact expression when you come. Because you, darlin’, look like ecstasy.”
Shock popped my eyes open.
I attempted to play it off like I was unaffected. Like he didn’t make me quiver with this lust that I’d all but forgotten existed.
Too bad every inch of me was trembling when I turned to him.
The world faded around us, the sound of the room a drone as I stared at him.
“I thought I told you that you’d do well to look somewhere else?”
“I can’t help it if you’re the most interesting thing in the room. I’m finding it hard to look away.”
I searched around in myself for defenses and found them lacking.
Reserves close to depleted.
Still, I tried, though the words were wispy. “The only reason you think that is because I’m a new face. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get bored soon enough.”
He was just…studying me. This strange emotion crawled through his features that I couldn’t put my finger on.
I glanced at the shot in front of him to distract myself from the intensity. “Aren’t you going to drink that?”
“Nope. I have someone special to get home.”
My teeth raked against my bottom lip. “And who might that be?”
“I think you might know her well. Gorgeous as hell, as sassy as she is sweet, shares strawberry shortcake with strangers under a tree when she sees they’re having a bad day.”
He said it nonchalant.
Like it didn’t matter. Like we hadn’t shared that moment. Like it hadn’t changed everything.
Though there was something in his gaze that went deeper.
Sucking me under.
That remembering right there, pulling between us like a dream.
“Who said she needed a ride home?” It was raspy.
Protectiveness ridged every angle of his being. “Tell me you didn’t drive here.”
“No. Lolly dropped me off, and I planned to get an Uber home.”
“You realize there are like two Uber drivers in Time River and there isn’t one who’s going to want to drive all the way out to Hendrickson?”
I blanched.
Right.
This wasn’t Austin, and I hadn’t fully thought that through.
“Exactly as I thought. I do need to get someone special home.”
I could feel myself drifting toward him. Getting caught in the web of charm and looks and this feeling deep inside me I couldn’t shake.
Something old and precious.
Twisted and wrong.
“It’s my jam!” Paisley’s shout broke into the trance Cody held me under. “Get those booties on the dance floor, my babes!”
She hopped off her stool as the band jumped into a new song.
I felt half disoriented when I tore my attention away from Cody, no way to float back down to reality.
Paisley pointed at me. “I told you to wear your dancing boots, Hails Bells. Let’s go show them what that means.”
Dakota slipped off her stool, and she looped her elbow in mine and gave me a tug. “Just go with it. She’s not lying when she says she will drag your butt out there.”
“Because what else would a good friend do?” Paisley hiked a shoulder.
Taking Savannah by the hand, Paisley pulled her over to where Dakota and I stood. Without hesitation, she looped her elbow through mine and her other through Savannah’s, making the four of us a chain. “Leave poor Hailey here with your brother drooling all over her? I don’t think so,” she tacked on the tease.
Giggling, Dakota turned to whisper so only we could hear. “Um, yeah, I think my brother might be enamored by his new neighbor.”
Paisley started weaving us onto the dance floor. “He’s like a freaking dog. I was worried he was going to start humping your leg.”