Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
It was fortunate for him that time, he’d gotten a crack at a huge case in his firm. It was the kind of project that if he was successful it would bring him to the attention of the partners. It kept him busy for a while. But he should have known it would only provide him a temporary reprieve from the lovely Riley.
Ethan leaned back in his seat with a sigh giving up all pretenses of working. He closed his eyes wishing he could take back everything that had gone wrong between them.
Shortly into her senior year in college, Ethan discovered Riley was interning at the building across from his law firm. He happened to catch her coming out of the building on his way out of the garage. She walked a few feet and stopped in front of the bus sign. Though he told himself to drive past her he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Ethan had pulled up in front of her.
He pressed the power button to roll his window down as he eased his vehicle close to the curb. “Riley,” he’d called out.
She seemed surprised to see him as she stepped closer to his car. “Ethan?”
“Get in. I’ll give you a ride.”
She shook her head. “It’s okay. I don’t mind taking the bus.”
“Get in.”
She bit her bottom lip and looked uncertain but finally she stepped forward, opened the passenger door and slid inside. “Thank you. I appreciate it. My car has been in the shop for the past week.”
“No problem. Do you still live with your mother?”
“No, actually I’m sharing an apartment with two other girls. It’s closer to campus. I rarely see them because they’re hardly ever home which is nice. I get to study in peace. Sorry I’m babbling.”
“It’s okay. Whereabouts do you live?”
“Oh, sorry again.” She rattled off her address.
Ethan punched the coordinates into his GPS and pulled the car from the curb. The uncomfortable silence in the car on the way to Riley’s apartment served to underline the topic neither wanted to address. He kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel to keep himself from touching her. Besides learning what her internship entailed, the small talk they made on the way to her place was awkward at best. Ethan nearly breathed a sigh of relief when he pulled in front of her building.
Instead of exiting the car as he expected she would, Riley turned in his direction, offering him a shy smile. “You saved me a long commute home. The least I can do is invite you in. I have the fixings for a stir fry that is if you’re not too scared to try my cooking.”
His brain told him to walk away but his cock told him to accept her offer.
Seeming to take his hesitation of a declination of her offer Riley said, “It’s okay. I know you’re a busy man. Thanks for the ride.” When she attempted to get out, he realized he couldn’t let her go like that.
“Riley, I’d love to have dinner with you but it’s just not a good idea.”
She crinkled her forehead. “It’s just dinner, Ethan. I’m not asking you into my apartment for any sordid activities.”
“But we both know if I go inside, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Do you think I’ve forgotten what happened the first time I let things get out of control?”
“You act as if I wasn’t a willing participant. I’m twenty now—almost twenty-one and I’m not exactly the innocent girl you encountered last time.”
Ethan’s hackles were raised at the implication of her words. “What the hell is that supposed to mean. Who were you with?”
Riley narrowed her eyes. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” She grabbed her door handle in an attempt to leave but he caught her wrist stopping her.”
“Who were you with?”
“None of your business. You don’t get to ignore me for over a year and then suddenly take an interest in my sex life.”
Hearing Riley even mention her having a sex life was enough to make him snap. “Who the fuck were you with?” It had been a long time since he’d lost his cool like this but all he could think of was someone touching his woman. He’d denied his feelings for her for so long he’d started to believe he didn’t care. But her confession snapped him back to reality.
“I don’t have to tell you anything. Now let go of my arm.”
“Never.” He pulled her against him. “I will never let you go, Riley.” And with that, he crushed her lips beneath his. One taste from her and he was instantly transported to heaven. How could he have stayed away for so long when everything to do with this woman screamed Mine! He pushed his tongue between her slightly parted lips to explore the sweetness he’d denied himself of all these torturous months.