Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“We could be fast.” I lick my lips. “I’ve never done this, but you could teach me.” He grabs me by my wrist.
“Anything you’d do would be perfect, Red.”
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. I don’t even want to think about the other girls that have given him any kind of pleasure. My stomach turns when I wonder if he ever did hook up with anyone in town. If I moved back, I’d have to see those women—women he’s been with. God, the thought is like a bucket of cold water. Who could it be, though? Merry would know. She knows everything about Reindeer Valley.
“Don’t get me wrong. I want it. Your mouth has been a fantasy of mine since high school. It can do no wrong.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to point out that maybe he could have had it then if only he’d deemed me good enough for him. But no, I was just a lowly townie to the grand Knox Lovejoy. Instead of getting his first blowie from me, he likely went and did it with someone else. Gah, I hate what this jealousy I’m feeling right now is turning me into.
“Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.” I slip off the counter, suddenly needing a drink…. or three.
15
KNOX
Crazy Eights is packed by the time we pull up. Ruby’s been oddly quiet for the entire drive, but she won’t tell me what’s bothering her.
“Are you sure you’re not upset?” I ask as I park.
“I’m good.” She gives me a tight smile. “I guess I’m not looking forward to seeing any old faces from high school.”
“I understand.” I get out and go around to open her door. “But I’ll be with you the whole time. If anyone says something you don’t like, I’ll handle it.”
She gives me a nod and takes my arm. Music pours from the dive bar that’s been on this corner of Reindeer Valley since its earliest days.
“It hasn’t changed.” She looks up at the neon sign, some of it flickering crazily.
“I don’t think it ever will.” I pull the door open for her, and a wave of music, beer, and noisy patrons hits us all at once.
“Whoa.” She tightens her grip on my arm as I lead her inside.
A few people close to us stop for a moment and whisper amongst themselves, but most everyone is too busy with their own drama to care much about us. Good. I want it that way. If she’s already nervous, prying eyes isn’t what she needs.
“There’s Merry!” She points to the girl at the bar who’s waving like she’s drowning. Ruby turns and gets on her tiptoes, giving me a kiss. “I’m going to girl talk for a minute, okay?”
“Sure.” My feelings aren’t hurt because that would be ridiculous.
“Thanks.” She pulls away. And I’m not the least bit bummed as she prances across the bar in her tight dress and fuck-me boots. Nope. Not at all.
She gets to the bar and hugs Merry, who already has a drink waiting for her. There are too many people between us, so I edge around the dance floor until I have a clearer view of my girl.
Fuck, in that outfit, she’s like a magnet to every guy in this place. I don’t like it. It’s stupid and cave man and very un-feminist of me, but damn, I want to be the only one to look at her in that outfit. Just the idea of other men fantasizing about my woman makes my blood start to simmer.
“Cool it, Knox,” I murmur to myself.
Movement catches my eye, and I turn to see Todd stumbling away from me, a butterfly Band-Aid on his nose and fear in his eyes. I take a step toward him, and he turns and runs from the bar, leaving a confused woman standing just inside the door. I’d tell her that I’ve just done her a huge favor, but there’s only one woman in this bar I want to talk to.
When I turn back around to find Ruby, I don’t see her at the bar.
“Fuck.” I cut across the corner of the dancefloor and hurry to where she’d been sitting with Merry.
Two other people have already taken their spots. Where is she?
I whirl, and that’s when I see her. Dancing. She and Merry swaying and moving to the music. Ruby looks fucking hot, like my tongue would sizzle if I licked her—and I’d fucking like it. I’d be happy to stand here and watch, but the problem is, I’m not the only one looking. In fact, there are so many eyes on my woman that my skin starts to itch.
Men, all of them lusting after my sweet Ruby. I want to murder.
But Ruby said she wanted girl talk. I have to give her space. I don’t want to—wait. What the fuck? Some dipshit in cowboy boots is striding right toward her.