Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 16278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 81(@200wpm)___ 65(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 81(@200wpm)___ 65(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
“You’re insane.”
“This is me being open and honest. I … look, all of those times I was saying nasty shit, I didn’t mean it. When I shoved your books to the floor, I checked out your ass. That’s all I did, honestly. I’m going for it all.”
“You can’t stay here,” she said, pulling away from him.
He moved to the bed, jumping on it. “Then how about we just hang out? I’ll leave when you’re fed up with me, or I can kiss you some more. Come on, Leah, you know you like it. You love it when I kiss you.”
She rolled her eyes. “I officially think you’re the craziest person I’ve ever met.”
“And that’s a bad thing, why? You haven’t met a whole lot of people.” He patted the bed. “Come, my sweet, lie with me.”
“Again, it still makes you sound crazy.”
He winked at her, but she didn’t fight. She climbed onto the bed, turning toward him, head resting on her palm.
“Go out with me,” he said.
“Why?”
“So I can prove it to you. I want the whole school to know you’re my woman.”
“Blake!” She groaned his name.
“Come on. How am I supposed to prove to you this isn’t a joke? I’ve got to be given the chance to redeem myself. Come on, please? Help a guy out.” He held his hands wide and she sighed. Was he wearing her down?
“Okay, fine. I will go out with you.”
“You’re my girlfriend, Leah. You know that means I get to kiss you whenever I want.”
“I haven’t read that in the rulebook.”
“There are no rules when it comes to dating me. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.” He pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
She tried to hide it, but he caught sight of the smile on her lips. She liked it as much as he did. He tried his look, kissed her again, and this time, he was greeted with a moan.
Progress.
As he kissed her once more, she cupped his cheek and started to respond. He took a chance and grabbed her hip, finally touching her freely. It felt fucking great. This had to be the best Thanksgiving ever.
“I need to sleep,” she said.
“Then sleep, just do it curled up against me.” He’d give anything to hold her. This was his dream come true, or at least, part of it, and he intended to cherish it for a long time, if not, forever.
Chapter Five
Christmas came and went.
Blake visited her during the festive season, and on the day itself, they chatted on video for hours.
There was plenty of time for him to play the practical joke on her, only, he never did. It would seem he was being truthful. The entire school was full of gossip the day they walked into the four walls, holding hands.
She’d seen the points, the whispers, and the occasional glare. Some of the girls weren’t happy that she was in Blake’s arm. Her life had changed a lot since she’d put a strike through the no on the letter he’d left for her.
In one of the classes she didn’t share with Blake, his friend John, the guy in question, took the seat right beside her. She glanced toward him with a frown. Even though she and Blake had been dating for a couple of months now, John hadn’t pressed to become friends with her. She was more than okay with that.
“Hey,” she said.
“So, are you just keeping my boy on a leash? Or is this thing you’ve got going real?”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t give me that shit. I see the way Blake is with you. I get why you’d be hesitant at first. The guy was a giant dick to you. I do get it, but come on. He’s proven to you time and time again that this isn’t a joke and yet, all I see is him constantly bowing down to you. He makes sure you’re okay. I think it’s wrong.”
“This is none of your business,” she said.
“Damn right it’s my business. He’s my best friend and for three years I had to watch him pine all over you. Believe me, that wasn’t pretty to watch. I get that he was mean to you, but he hasn’t been with anyone, Leah. Three years ago, I don’t know what you did, but he wants you. All the rumors you hear about him with the chicks, those are all lies. He only wants you, and I’m looking out for my boy. Now are you going to continue to be a bitch to him, or are you going to act like a real girlfriend?”
She stared at him. “Three years?”
“Yep. He told me everything, and he told me to stay out of his plan to win you over. He fucked up and he knows it. You’ve got to stop hanging the fact he hurt you over his head. I know he hates it. Give him a real chance. One where you see yourself with him because that’s all Blake sees. Speaking of futures, he’s undecided about what college to go to. He’s had multiple offers, but he wants to go wherever you go.”