Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
“Hmm,” she purred as he trailed his fingers through her wetness.
She hooked a silky thigh over his hip. He ran his tip along her heat before thrusting, earning a long feminine mew.
“I’m so happy to be doing this project with you, Austin,” she whispered, lifting the other leg so that he held her weight. “Thank you for including me.”
His answer was a grunt. He couldn’t even be embarrassed about it.
Her smell, the heat of her skin, and the glory of her lips sent him to paradise. He closed his eyes and strove harder, his heart full, his body on fire.
His climax smashed into him, and he drove in deep, emptying inside of her. He pushed in two more times, his body shaking, and she cried out with her release.
A strange feeling curled through him, something primal that he couldn’t really distinguish. She clutched him, as though feeling it too.
In a moment, though, it subsided into the glorious euphoria that always came from their joining.
“I love you,” she whispered into his ear.
“You’re my forever,” he replied, holding her.
After they’d freshened up, he escorted her out. “I had Mr. Tom bring the new car over,” he said as he gently tugged her toward the Porsche. “The reasoning was twofold. The first was to give Mimi a little more time before Mr. Tom descended on her and slowed everything down. The second…” He grinned, ignoring the people passing by with nods or hellos. “I want to see how fast it goes.”
He left her by the passenger door and bent near the back tire, retrieving the key fob from on top.
“Is that okay?” he belatedly asked. “My Jeep’s down the street if you’d rather not put miles on it.”
She rolled her eyes with a smile. “I don’t care about putting miles on it. Honestly, the whole connection request situation with these extravagant gifts seems a little overboard.”
The bucket seats hugged his butt just right. The smell of new car and leather greeted his senses, and the metal sport pedals near his feet begged him to stomp on the gas.
“They do, but think of it this way—these big cairns don’t extend connection requests often. Or ever, maybe. I’m guessing they get them often enough, though. They’re about due to drop a little money.”
“A little money?” She laughed and shook her head.
At the entrance to the highway, he stomped on the gas. The thing shot off like a comet, throwing him back in his seat. Jess grabbed the door handle but didn’t squeal or scream. All too soon the fun was over and he had to let off the gas. He’d reached the speed limit quickly.
“I’m not really looking forward to having to dress up just so I can show off when the big cairns come around,” Jess said. “I know we’ll have to invite them. It just seems like so much hassle.”
“It does, but it’s part of the job. Babe…” He wasn’t sure how this would go, but she needed to hear it. He reached over and took her hand. “You do need a better vehicle. I love my Jeep, and I drive it almost exclusively, but I have my flashy sports car for when I want to take out my girl or impress her snobby friends. You have a new job now. You need to drive the part.”
“Yes, yes, I know. Everyone has been bringing that up since I got this car.” She looked out the window and quietly said, “What a hassle.”
He couldn’t help laughing. He loved that she was so down to earth. Most people would’ve gone gaga over being thrown into a whirlwind of money, but it hadn’t changed her even a little. She was in it for the people, not the material goods.
Austin pulled into a parking place in the rear of his new restaurant, the spot reserved for him or Jess. Probably Mimi too, because he knew full well she’d butt into all his businesses and assert her opinions. The restaurant was newly opened, having been purchased by him and closed for renovations.
“If you like this restaurant,” he said, “we can host the gargoyles here when it’s necessary. It’s the nicest I have. Assuming everything was done to the specifications I requested.”
“I’m sure it’ll be perfect,” she said, getting out of the car. It wasn’t until they’d approached the restaurant that her face filled with wonder. “Oh Austin, this is gorgeous.”
NINE
Jessie
Austin’s phone chimed. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. A moment later, he looked up at me and then resumed eating in the loveliest restaurant I’d ever been in. The décor was modern and tasteful and beautiful, like some sort of swank fairyland with excellent food. It had given me the idea to do something similar for the tasting room, as well as changing my plans from tasting room to wine bar.