Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 30715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
"But…"
"But what?" He slips his hand into mine, pulling me deeper into his penthouse. Unlike Jonas, Kellan lives smack dab in the middle of the city. His apartment takes up the entire top floor of the high-rise where he lives. He has a private elevator up from the parking garage. Views of the city greet me wherever I look. The arena glitters in the distance. So does Ryman Auditorium.
He's a million miles from everything, yet right in the thick of it, too, a man apart. It's fascinating to see the way he lives. His place is dark and masculine, with sleek, modern furniture that manages to look both elegant and understated simultaneously. It probably costs more than I care to consider.
"You live here alone?"
"No. I have a harem in the basement."
I accidentally-on-purpose step on his foot with the heel of my shoe.
His wicked laugh rolls over me. "Yes, I live here alone, little one. Why? You worried someone is going to see you with me?"
"Maybe," I mumble.
His laughter fades as he turns to face me. His amber eyes meet mine. "You don't want Jonas to find out."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to say it. It's written all over your face."
My teeth sink into my bottom lip. "I just don't think it's the best idea for him to find out about this, that's all. He's already being crazy as it is."
Kellan grunts.
"Think about it," I hurry to say. "If he finds out that we…had sex, he's going to be pissed. Probably at me. Definitely at you. You guys are teammates and you'll be in the Playoffs soon. Is now really the time to rock the boat over a one-time thing?"
"One-time thing? Jesus Christ, Parker. You have it all planned out, don't you?" Kellan's lips pull down into a severe frown. "What does this plan of yours look like? We'll fuck tonight and then you're out of here? Never to be heard from again?"
"I don't know!" I cry, throwing my hands up. "It's not like I've ever done this before, you know. Excuse me for assuming you'd want me out of your hair as quickly as possible. You certainly did last time we met."
"I hurt your feelings." His expression softens.
"No." I roll my eyes. "I just think you were rude."
"I had a reason."
I snort, crossing my arms.
"You had my dick hard as a rock, Rebel. And you were looking at me with stars in your eyes. Being rude was a dick move, but it seemed like the smart thing to do at the time." He stares at me levelly. "You aren't the only one who doesn't want to hurt your brother, you know."
"Oh my God," I groan. "You were rude to me because you liked me? Are you freaking kidding me, Kellan?" I shoot him a dirty scowl. "That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard. And one guy canceled a date because he had to take his goldfish on a walk, so you have competitors."
"His goldfish?" Kellan's lips twitch. "You're fucking kidding me."
"Nope."
"Jesus Christ," he mutters, shaking his head.
"He was afraid of Jonas. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you aren't any different." I sigh heavily. "It's the story of my freaking life."
"I'm not scared of your brother, little one."
"You were rude to me because of him, Kellan. That's what always happens. My entire life, as soon as guys find out who my brother is, they either get starstruck or they freak out." I scowl at him. "You're the latter."
"You're here right now, aren't you?" He quirks a brow. "I'll call him right this second and tell him that we're dating. I have no problem with doing that. But you're the one who wants to keep our relationship hidden."
"Relationship? Dating?" My head spins. "How did this go from sex to you talking about relationships and dating? Aren't I the one supposed to be acting all crazy and trying to put labels on things?" Isn't that what girls do? Catch feelings and need a label so they know what importance to place on whatever is happening between them and their bed partner?
A slow, wicked grin stretches across his face. "You want me to pop that sweet little cherry, Rebel? I'll give you exactly what you want. I'll teach you every filthy thing you're dying to learn. When I'm finished with you, you'll be too wrung out to remember your own name. But we're doing it my way. I make the rules. I call the shots. You obey. Those are my conditions. Take them or leave them."
Oh, he's evil. And a little part of me thrills at the thought of being under his thumb and at his mercy anyway. It revels at the thought of dating this man, even if it is just a pretense. I'll take any piece of him I can get. That's how crazy he makes me.