Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
But she found it so hard to look after herself. It felt selfish.
And what if something had happened to you?
“I’ll try to do better,” she whispered.
“You do that. I’m going to come see you.”
“No! No, don’t do that. I’m all right and I don’t want you bringing Kye along or leaving Ryleigh behind. Honestly, I’m fine. And Tanner is here.”
“That’s a good thing? Because yesterday you wanted nothing more to do with him.”
“A good thing? I’m not sure I’d say that. I . . . it’s all so fucking complicated. But I . . . I just . . . ”
“You need this,” Opal said. “It’s okay to be selfish sometimes, Lilac.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. Don’t be such a pessimist.”
“Um, Opal.” That was rich coming from her. She was born a pessimist.
“I know, I know. I can hear myself. And I admit that I didn’t think that this place was going to live up to its promise. But it’s growing on me. We could be happy here, Lilac.”
If they could get rid of her brother.
“Stefan isn’t going to win,” Opal said fiercely. “I won’t let that happen. We’re all going to live happily ever after. Hear me?”
She did.
Tanner stepped out of the bathroom.
Wearing just a towel.
Holy. Moly.
Her mouth went dry, her heart racing. She needed to calm down before she set off the monitor.
Sure, she’d seen him naked before, but the memory of what he looked like was nothing compared to the reality.
He hadn’t dried himself properly, so there were drips of water running down his chest.
Damn, she’d love nothing more than to lap up every one of those drips with her tongue.
Then she’d follow them down his abs to where that towel was very loosely secured. And she’d undo that knot so it fell to the floor so she could follow the drops of water over his cock . . .
“Lilac? You okay?” Opal asked through the phone.
Her gaze shot away from his crotch, up to his smirking face.
Oh Lord help her. He knew exactly what she’d been thinking.
“I’ve got to go. Tanner is out of the shower.”
“Hmm, and I bet he looks delicious. You can tell he’s got a fucking hot body under those jeans and flannel.”
“Opal,” she groaned. “I’m ending this call now.”
Tanner leaned against the doorway to the private bathroom. She didn’t know how she’d gotten such a nice room and honestly, she was scared to ask.
Well, scared to ask how much it cost.
“Talking to Opal?” he asked as she set his phone down on the rolling tray.
“She sends her regards,” she replied stiffly.
He snorted. “Somehow, I can’t see Opal saying something like that.”
No, she’d commented on his hot body. And it was smoking.
“You’re looking hungry. Want one of your snacks?” He moved closer to her.
No. Nope. He could not come near her. It wasn’t safe. Oh, holy heck. He was here. Right in front of her. That bare, muscular chest was so close that she just wanted to reach out and touch him.
Before she could stop herself, she was running her finger along his abs.
“Want me to lose the towel, baby?” he murmured. “You look like you do. You’re looking at me like you think I’m the snack.”
She snatched her hand back, feeling her cheeks growing red. “That’s not . . . I wasn’t . . . sorry.”
“No reason to be sorry. I’m hungry myself.”
“Oh, do you want one of the snacks that Abby bought in?” she asked. Abby had brought in several snacks to try and tempt Lilac.
She hated that she was being such a hassle for people. But at the same time, she was kind of enjoying being fussed over.
He smiled. “No, baby. Those are yours. And I had my heart set on a different sort of snack.”
His gaze ran over her body.
Shock filled her as she realized what he was talking about. She could feel herself grow red. “You cannot find me attractive.”
He frowned. “What do you mean? Of course I do.”
“I’m lying in a hospital bed. My hair is a mess. I haven’t had a shower yet. I’m . . . I’m gross.”
“That’s two.”
She gaped up at him. “Tanner!” Two?
“What? You were warned about speaking badly about yourself. And you look fucking beautiful, in a hospital bed or not. If you’re not careful, I’m going to forget the fact that anyone could walk in here at any time and I’m going to go under those covers, spread your legs, and lick your pretty pussy until you scream.”
“You wouldn’t!” She gaped at him even as her body heated as an image of him doing just that filled her mind.
Damn him.
She couldn’t get aroused while she was lying in a hospital filled with probably hundreds of people!
“I haven’t shaved my legs!” she cried.
Really? That’s what she was going to focus on? That’s what she the best thing you could come up with?