Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 33401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
"Because you need a little adventure in your life, Bailey."
"Adventure," I huff, following him towards a curve in the path. "I've never been adventurous."
"Sure you have," Porter disagrees. "You took a boxing class, and now here you are, miles from home on a hike. You've just needed the right motivation."
“Hmm.” I narrow my eyes, looking over at him and the way his skin seems to glow out here. "Is that why you asked me to go hiking with you?"
Porter pauses. He looks up at the trees above our heads and turns to face me. His expression is serious. "No, it's not. I brought you here because I wanted to spend more time with you, and I like seeing you out of your element. You're fucking cute when you're trying new things."
I blush. "You talk like we’ve known each other for years or something.”
"I'm not the most romantic guy," he continues, "and I don't have the patience to play games. So I'm just going to be straight with you, Bailey. I want to date you."
I stop dead in my tracks.
Porter wants to date me.
Porter wants to date ME.
I swallow hard. "You want to do what?"
He frowns. "What? Didn't I make that clear? I want you, Bailey. All of you.”
"Oh.” I inhale slowly, trying to make sense of the world now that it seems to have been turned upside down. “All of me…I think I’d like that.”
His cocky, half-smile is back. "Good. But listen, I'm not interested in a fling or a one-night stand. I'm all in, Bailey."
I swallow. Everything inside of me is screaming yes, but another part of me is hesitant. Porter is so much older than me. He's experienced. He's probably seen the world and done so many things. And I've done...well, nothing, really.
We continue hiking, and I'm relieved he doesn't push me to say anything right away. I take in the trail, all of the sights and sounds of the early summer day. The sun comes through the trees and is warm on my skin, and the air is crisp and smells like fresh forest. Birds call in the distance, and Porter's presence beside me is a comfort.
But even Porter doesn’t have infinite patience, and eventually, he broaches the subject again. "What are you worried about, Bailey?"
I sigh. "I'm...scared, I guess. This is a lot really fast, and you’re nineteen years older than me.”
Porter lets out a harsh exhale. "Listen, baby, I'm a man that knows what he wants. When I decide I want something, I don't back down. Never. And I've decided that I want you, Bailey. Age doesn't mean shit to me. Experience doesn’t mean shit to me. But you mean something. You're smart, and talented, and fucking beautiful."
"But Porter—"
"No, Bailey. Listen, I've spent too much time in my life with people telling me what I should and shouldn't do. I'm done with it. I know what I feel, and I'm going to act on those feelings. I'm not a fucking teenager anymore, baby. If I want you, then I'm going to have you."
I gape at him. His words are so direct, so unapologetic, and God, it's a huge turn-on. He wants me, and he's not going to hold back.
Porter Brooks is all in.
"Alright," I whisper.
"Alright," he echoes.
We fall silent, hiking up the steep parts of the trail. Porter sets a pretty fast pace, and as a result, the hour flies by. Before I know it, we're standing on a huge rock, looking out at a breathtaking view.
"Wow," I breathe.
Porter grins. He's pulled his sweatshirt over his head, leaving him in a white tank top that hugs his torso, showing off his muscles and his tattoos. The breeze blows his hair around his face, and the sun shines brightly in his eyes.
"Told you the view was good," he says, his voice smug.
I laugh. "You did."
Porter unpacks the bag. There are two sandwiches, fruit, and some water, and we settle on the rock together and eat. It's basic fare as far as food goes, but after the long hike and the emotional toll of our conversation, it's delicious.
"Tell me about you, Bailey," Porter says out of nowhere, brushing his hands off. "Your family, how you grew up, everything."
"Well…" I sigh, leaning back on my hands, and stretch my legs out in front of me, enjoying the breeze. "I'm the oldest of four. My dad took off and disappeared when I was eight, leaving my mom to raise all of us. It wasn't easy, but she did the best she could. I came here to go to school for sports medicine on a scholarship, but it's the summer now, which is why I'm staying with Renae."
But Porter seems stuck at the beginning of my story. "Your dad left his wife and kids?"
"Yeah."
"Fuck him," Porter growls. "What a piece of shit."