Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
I sweep my eyes back up her body to meet her gaze. “You look beautiful.”
“Stop,” she demands, holding her palm up toward me.
I can’t contain my frown. “Stop what?”
“Stop acting so weird. It’s starting to freak me out. You’ve never talked to me like you have today. Not ever. You’ve definitely never kissed me, and now the compliment? It’s too much.”
“Do you know how many times over the years I’ve wanted to tell you how beautiful you are? How many times I wanted to touch you, kiss you, claim you?”
“Denver.”
“I’m not going to stop, Bre. I’m not going to stop—even after I get what I want.”
“See? You’re freaking me out again!” she cries, tossing her arms out.
“What are you so afraid of?” I take a step toward her.
She takes a step back, shaking her head. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“You are. You’ve always been afraid of me. Why is that?”
“I’m not scared of you. I just…. We just…. I just don’t understand the game you’re playing. I don’t know why you’re doing this now. Why you’re acting like this now.”
“I’m not playing a game. As for why now? I think I told you earlier. I knew you weren’t ready before, not for what I wanted. Now, all bets are off.”
“What you wanted?” she whispers.
“What I want.” I move closer to her and drop my voice. “I’ve always wanted you.” Our eyes stay locked as I wrap my hand around her hip. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted.”
I feel her body tighten under my palm before she jerks away. “Liar,” she hisses, her eyes filling with anger. “Keep up with this game if you want, but don’t lie to me.”
My brows draw together in confusion. “It’s not a lie.”
“Yes.” She shoves my chest with one hand while glaring at me. “Yes, it is.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
At my question, her face pales and her eyes slide away. “Nothing, let’s just go.”
She starts to move toward the door, but I step in front of her and block her path. “No. Tell me why you’re calling me a liar.”
“No.” She doesn’t look at me. “No. Either we leave now, or I’m not going.”
My jaw clenches. I want to demand she open up to me, but I know that if I push too hard, she’ll close down and I’ll lose my shot. “Let’s go.” I open the front door, and she steps out onto the porch with me, but stops to lock the door. When we make it down the steps, I place my hand at the small of her back and lead her to the passenger side of my truck, opening the door. Once she’s in, I head around to climb in behind the wheel. We don’t talk as I drive us down to the harbor and park, and she keeps quiet as I lead her into the bar. I lift my chin as we pass people I know, but don’t stop to talk to any of them, even though I can see a million questions on their faces as we walk by.
“You okay?” I ask Bre once she’s seated at a four-top table at the back of the bar.
“Yeah.”
I can tell by the set of her shoulders that she’s uncomfortable. I doubt she’s ever been here or to any of the other bars in town. Hell, when we were in high school, I can only ever remember her going to the one party I invited her to, the party where I had planned on making my move.
“What do you want to drink? Beer, wine, something else?” I ask, taking off my coat and hanging it on my chair.
Her nose scrunches up, making her look adorable. “Water.”
I smile. “Babe, we’re at a bar, and you don’t have work tomorrow. It’s okay to have a drink.”
“Beer is gross, and wine isn’t much better. I’d rather just drink water.”
“What about mixed drinks?”
“I haven’t tried any. I’m not a big drinker.” She slips off her jacket.
“All right, I’ll order you a water and something else. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to drink it.”
“Sure.” She shrugs.
“Be right back.” I head for the bar, and Andy, an old friend and the bartender, lifts his chin, coming toward me.
“What can I get you?”
“Beer, water, and a Moscow mule if you can make it.”
“Don’t got those fancy copper cups, but got the shit to make the drink. You good with that?”
“Yep.”
“Right.” He grabs a beer and hands it over to me after popping the top. “I see you’re here with Aubrey.” He nods toward where Bre is sitting while he grabs a bottle of vodka off the top shelf.
“Yep,” I repeat.
“She looks about ready to bolt,” he observes, and I look over to find her eyeing the door. It makes me smile, but my smile quickly turns into a frown as I watch a guy approach her. My insides tighten with raw, ugly jealousy when she stands to greet him with a hug. “She’s pretty. Always been pretty. It’s probably a good thing she doesn’t hang out here. I imagine you’d be busy cock-blocking if she did.”