Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 64066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 214(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 214(@300wpm)
6
His number stares at me from my phone, and I watch it as if it will ring any second. It’s been hours since I last saw him, and I can’t help but crave him. He confuses me so much. Never have I been like this with a man before. Never have I wanted to see another human being as badly as I do him. My soul calls desperately to his. It’s like he’s burrowed his way in and, somehow, despite my protests, he’s stuck and won’t let go.
Moaning, I throw my phone next to me on the bed and fall back staring up at the ceiling. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if Gunner were an ordinary man. Not one who’s hot—too hot for words—one minute, and then cold—too frigid to mention—the next.
My phone starts ringing, and I answer it without even looking. “Hello.”
“Everly.”
Boom, hot.
All over me.
Every part of me comes alive with just the one word.
This is how I know I’m in trouble, and I should cancel whatever this is between us right now. It’s like the Monopoly game—Do not pass go. Do not collect $200—just stop.
“Gunner,” I breathe into the phone, hoping he can’t hear how flustered he’s made me, but my guess is that he can.
“I’m at your front door. Will you let me in?”
Instantly I sit up, looking at my door. “I don’t know.”
But we all know what I’m really going to do. There’s no question here, I’m going to let him in because my body desperately wants its next fix of Gunner Reid.
“I want to take you out on a date.”
“A date?” I squeak.
“Door, Everly.”
I nod as if he can see me and step over to it. When I pull it open, he has his phone to his ear, watching me. He knew I wouldn’t say no to letting him in. His curls, which were unruly this morning, are now tamed, brushed back and out of sight. He slides his phone into his pocket and waits for me to move, or to say something.
“Is that what you’ll be wearing?”
I look down at my white dress, which I’m still in, not having taken it off since I arrived home. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a date, Everly. I plan to wine and dine you. Do you accept?”
“I don’t know, should I? Which Gunner will I get tonight?”
He leans in close, his breath tickling my ear. “That depends on which one you want.”
“I’m wearing this.”
He nods, offering me his hand. “You won’t need anything.”
“Not even shoes?” I ask.
“Not even shoes. I’ll carry you to and from the car.”
A smile I didn’t know I was hiding pops up, and he takes notice. I reach for my keys, which he takes from me and places in his pocket as I step outside and shut the door.
He swoops down, picks me up bridal style, and proceeds to carry me to the front of my building where his car is waiting.
“I can get in by myself.”
Gunner doesn’t listen and places me into the car and shuts the door. I sit silently as he slides in and the driver takes off.
He moves his hand over to mine and covers it. “I apologize again for this morning.”
I nod my head. “So you’ve said.”
“You don’t believe me,” he states the obvious.
“I believe that’s what you want me to believe.”
His lips lift just a fraction before they fall again. “You’re right. I don’t apologize. Ever. This is a first. Maybe I haven’t had enough practice to make it sound sincere enough for you.”
“Maybe,” I say, turning to face him fully, and noticing his dark eyes are already on me.
“How were your parents?”
“Great! What did you do today?”
“I waited for you all day.”
Pitta-patta. My heart goes pitta-patta.
“You did not,” I reply while shaking my head.
“Oh, but I did. You didn’t call as I asked.”
“Demanded,” I state.
“You like to criticize me, don’t you? Is that father issues, or just you?”
“I love my father, so I would say just me.” I pull my leg up on the seat. His hand covers the top of my knee and he starts to make lazy circles with his thumb.
“Have you loved many men?”
“No…” I pause, thinking about what to say next. “Have you?”
“Men? Only my father.”
I laugh.
“No women?”
“No. And I never intend to. Loving is not something someone should do lightly. Love is a contract, and it should only be broken by those who sign it.”
“You don’t believe in love?”
His thumb stops circling on my skin as he looks down. “No. Only a fool does.”
“So, what do you call someone who can’t live without the other person?”
“An idiot,” he says with a smile. “Having to be reliant on someone… that part is just plain stupid. No person should ever put that much pressure on themselves. It’s bound to get you hurt.”