Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“I’ve got you beat,” Dillon announced. “I was on patrol, riding shotgun, and I look over and this kid is giving us the finger. Just multiple times.” Dillon demonstrated by pumping middle fingers in the air. “He didn’t see where he was going and walked right into a pole.”
The entire table broke into hysterics. Our food arrived, and we quieted down to share a meal. It was an enjoyable evening with no pressure or awkwardness. It was as if the four of us had been hanging out forever.
“You want to come back to our place for some drinks?” Macy asked.
Lindsey and I looked at each other.
“Come on,” Dillon said. “The night is young.”
“We could go out for drinks,” Lindsey suggested.
Macy and Dillon shared a glance. “We’d really like to get home to let the babysitter go. Plus, I have this great new wine I just discovered. It’s a red, but it’s so smooth. What do you say?”
“If it won’t be too much of an intrusion,” Lindsey hedged.
I reached over and squeezed her hand. “We don’t have to stay long.”
She squeezed back, giving me a tentative smile. “Oh, it’s not that. I just don’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense,” Dillon declared.
“This is more excitement than we get all year round.” Macy grinned.
Dillon and I fought over who was going to pay for the meal. Just like old times, neither one of us wanted to be the freeloader. I picked up the check as soon as the waitress left it, and Dillon held out a flat palm.
“Hand it over,” he demanded.
We argued, but I won. I snapped my credit card into the plastic tray and called for the waitress.
“We can get the next one,” Macy said to keep the peace.
Dillon scowled.
“That was nice,” Lindsey said as soon as we were alone in my truck.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Really helps to destress.”
“Have you been stressed?” She turned to me as I backed out of the parking lot.
“Yeah, well, the case. And… I didn’t know if you were going to be homeless.”
She sat back, smiling. “I didn’t know either. It was close there for a minute.”
“Where are your parents, if you don’t mind my asking?” I kept one eye on the road and the other on her delicate form.
“They passed away,” she said. “My dad from a heart attack when I was seven, and my mom from cancer ten years ago.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“I still miss them,” she mused. “Like for example, it would have been awesome to call up my mom and say, ‘hey, there’s this hot guy that wants to move in with me. Well actually he tried to evict me first, it’s a long story.’”
I grinned.
“What about your parents?” she asked.
“They passed away as well,” I said. “Car accident.”
“I’m sorry.” She snuggled down against my shoulder. “It looks like we’re all alone in the world.”
I slipped one arm around her, pulling her close. “I guess so.”
We followed the taillights of Dillon and Macy’s car past the turnoff for our cabin. Their access road was just as rocky and narrow as ours, and I was glad we had come in my truck instead of Lindsey’s car. It was hard to see in the all-consuming darkness that settled on the forest. I parked right beside Dillon and killed the engine. Before opening the door, I leaned down to kiss Lindsey on the top of her head.
She stirred in my arms, looking up at me through the veil of night. I lowered my lips to hers, tasting pasta sauce and wine. Her kiss was hungry. She dug her fingers into the collar of my shirt, bringing me closer, as if we could fuse together. The kiss went from sensual to erotic in a fraction of a second, and it was all I could do to keep my hands off her. We finally remembered where we were and broke contact, breathing heavily.
“Let’s make this a quick visit,” I said roughly.
I couldn’t see her respond, and she didn’t say anything. I hoped we were on the same page, but then I heard her door open. A moment later, I could feel emptiness on the seat beside me. I groaned, opening my own door and sliding out into the night.
“This way,” Dillon’s voice called to us.
I had lost Lindsey, and I couldn’t see anything. I circumnavigated the truck by sliding one hand along the frame. I found Lindsey on the opposite side, just as hesitant. My eyes began to adjust. Now I could see the outline of the truck and Lindsey’s perfect silhouette leaning against it. The little dress clung to her midriff and swept across her thighs, making the curve of her backside accessible. All I had to do was reach out and brush that tiny bit of fabric aside, before reaching up to fill my hands with well-toned flesh.