Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20677 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20677 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
“I’ve got a couple of things to look at, but nothing that can’t wait. I was hoping to get to spend the day with you, but I can do some of it while I wait.” He grabs a hoodie and his keys. “It’s the shelter on North Main, right?” he asks, and I nod. “Perfect. There’s a coffee shop next to it. I’ll wait on you.”
His words warm me up all over, and when he takes my hand to walk me out of his bedroom I feel like a princess. I’ve never had someone give me this kind of affection before and I don’t know what to do with myself. I should probably be thinking about how all of this could crumble around me, but why not just live in the moment for a little while? What’s so wrong with being happy, even if it’s short-lived?
I’ve smiled more in one day with Brian than I have since forever. The worry of my brother’s business, my grandma dying, and the old house in the bad neighborhood are miles away. This might not last to the end of the week, but I’m not counting down to doom. I’ve spent too long being grouchy and keeping people at a distance, but I’m just now seeing it because Brian has shown me another way. Hope is a dangerous thing, but I can’t let it go.
When we walk out of his bedroom, I’m shocked to see a woman there in the kitchen with a spatula in her hand. She twirls around and smiles at us sweetly as she points to the counter.
“Do you and your friend want breakfast?” She beams at me and then to Brian.
“I think we’re in a rush,” Brian offers as he pulls me to his side. “This is my Claudia.” My heart, along with my lower region, melts when I hear the pride in his voice. I look up at him and he winks at me. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
“She is,” the woman says, and I look over to her. “I’m Sage, by the way. Brian’s sister.”
“Nice to meet you.” I begin to think about all the times we had sex and I wonder how loud we were.
“Jensen went to get me more eggs from the store. Feel free to take these to go.” She holds out a plate of breakfast sandwiches wrapped in paper, and Brian and I take them.
“Oh wow, thank you,” I say. They’re still warm.
Just then the front door opens and big man walks in. He actually skulks instead of walks until he sees Sage and then his whole face lights up.
“Jensen, this is my Claudia,” Brian says as his friend passes by us.
“So, you’re the one who had him pissed off for days?” he says as he nods to me before he walks over to Sage and pulls her into his arms.
“Sorry about that,” I whisper before Brian tugs me to the door.
“It’s okay, you can make it up to me,” he says low in my ear as we walk out.
I hear Sage shout goodbye to us as I close the door and I love how nice she was. Of course she was, she’s Brian’s sister. I’m sure she’s perfect in every way I’m not. But I don’t want to compare myself to anyone because that just leaves me coming up short. Instead I unwrap the sandwich and take a bite of it as we get on the elevator. I didn’t realize how hungry I was, but I guess a night of hot sex has a way of burning the calories.
“I can get something at the coffee shop. Do you want mine?” He holds his out and I shake my head. He rolls his eyes and then grabs my hand to place it in it. “You need to eat. I should have done a better job of feeding you last night.”
I want to tell him he fed me plenty with his cock, but my mouth is full. Instead I smile at him as he keeps his hand on my back and we walk through the lobby. Waiting outside is his car and we duck inside out of the falling snow.
He talks to me the whole way to the animal shelter and I find out about all his pets as a kid. He’s adorable as he talks about having a pet squirrel and teaching it to play fetch. His childhood sounds so different compared to mine, but I guess it’s that way for everyone. I don’t want to dwell on the dark right now, because I’m about to be without him in a few moments and I can do it then.
“We’re here,” he says when he looks out the window. “I’ll be right there.” He points to the coffee shop across the street. “Just come over when you’re finished. And don’t worry about rushing. I’ve got enough to keep me busy.” He points down to his backpack he grabbed on the way out and I’m sure it’s got his computer in it.