Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
She juts her chin at me. “I did, but I didn’t know that my big brother was just playing me.”
I lean down until our lips are only inches apart from each other. I keep one hand at her waist, and the other comes up and wraps around her neck. Her pulse is racing under my thumb, and I rub it back and forth. “I wasn’t playing you. I want you.”
She swipes her tongue across her lower lip, and I groan. She has no clue that I’m barely hanging on. She sucks in a breath, and I feel her pebbled nipples cut across my chest. Fuck me.
She tries to pull away, but I don’t let her. “Baker, you’re my step—”
I cut her off. “Don’t say it. We’re not related.”
My little spitfire rolls her eyes. “We are… you’re my—”
“I’m yours. That’s how you should word that sentence… Tell me you’re mine.”
Her hands go to my chest, but she doesn’t push me away. “Baker, we can’t… we shouldn’t.”
“Baker! You okay, son?” my dad hollers up the stairs.
Cassie tenses, and I reluctantly let her go. “Yeah, I wanted to check on Cassie. I’ll be right there.”
She pulls from my arms and hisses at me, “Baker… They’re going to know you’re in my room… they’re going to wonder what we’re doing in here.”
I put my hand on the door to stop her from opening it. I lean down, pressing my lips softly to the bruise on her forehead before pulling away. “We’re just talking… tonight. Even though I’d give anything to stay in here with you the whole night, I can see you need some time to warm up to the idea.”
She can try to deny it all she wants, but I see the way her eyes light up. She may not want to feel what she’s feeling, but it doesn’t change the fact that she wants me. And that right there is all I need right now. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I open the door, and without another look back, I walk out of her bedroom. The only reason I don’t look at her is because it’s nearly impossible to walk away now. If she gave me any indication she wanted me too, I’d stay. Fuck everyone else because from this point forward, whatever Cassie wants, Cassie gets.
As I come down the steps, my dad is waiting at the bottom. The look he’s giving me is knowing, and I’m sure he’s wondering what I was doing, but I don’t care. I wait until I’m standing next to him. “Make sure she takes some Tylenol for her head. Call if she needs anything.” I put my hand on his shoulder and squeeze him affectionately. “Love you, Dad. Talk to you soon.”
I get to the door before he stops me. “Son.”
I knew he wouldn’t let me off the hook so easily. That’s just not who he is. “Yeah, Dad?”
He comes closer, and I notice that Brandi is still sitting on the couch with her full attention focused on the television. My dad’s voice is hushed. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
I shrug. “What do you want to know?”
I wait, holding my breath. It’s obvious that I’m interested in Cassie. He’d have to be blind to not notice it, and of course, I’m worried he’s going to try and forbid it or tell me all the reasons why it’s a bad idea. But he surprises me. “Don’t hurt her.”
I shake my head. Did I just hear him right? “Did you just tell me not to hurt her?”
He lifts his head and looks me in the eye. “That’s exactly what I said. Cassie is special.”
I nod. Even though I just met her, I already know that. “I know she is, Dad.”
He shifts his feet and positions himself between me and the door, stopping me from leaving. He crosses his arms over his chest. “I’m serious. I see that look in your eye. I’m telling you, she’s special. Don’t start something that you don’t plan on finishing. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
I don’t even blink. I search his eyes, and I don’t know what to say to him to convince him, so I say the first thing that comes to mind. “She reminds me a little bit of Mom.”
He looks shocked for just a second, and so I continue. “She took on two men bigger than her because she didn’t want them fighting. She cares about others more than herself. She was worried about her friend having to leave to take her home. She cares about her job, her sister. And I just met her tonight, Dad. Trust me, I know she’s special.”
He must realize that I’m being sincere because he moves to the side. “Okay. Have a good night, son, and don’t be a stranger.”
I walk out into the night. “See you soon, Dad.”