Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“You see how well that worked for me. Seems like you’re going through the same thing. You didn’t want to trust any woman ever again, but as soon as Nicole moved here, you jumped in with both feet.”
If his older brother hadn’t gone through a similar experience, Sam would be embarrassed to admit his feelings. “She’s it for me.”
He shook his head, amazed he was so willing to say it out loud.
And even more amazed that he trusted her in a way he never thought he’d let himself trust again.
Sam groaned, deciding to confide in his brother. “Man, you have no idea how bad Nicole had it growing up. Her father barely acknowledges she exists. I always knew we were lucky, but seeing that?” He shuddered at the memory. “I don’t know how she ended up as warm and caring as she is.”
“Maybe that helps explain her twin?” Mike asked.
“Well, she truly has a mental illness, but having parents who don’t give a shit couldn’t possibly help her coping abilities. I said as much to her father,” Sam said.
Mike’s eyes opened wide. “How did that go over with Nicole?”
Sam shrugged. “Not a clue. She was already withdrawing into herself.” He vividly recalled Nicole’s arms wrapped around her body, staring out the truck window, lost to him on the ride home.
“Do you remember what you told me when you showed up at my apartment after I’d left Cara and Serendipity?” Mike asked.
Sam thought back to that day. “Go big or go home?”
Mike nodded.
“Not that simple. I think Nicole needs me to build the foundation first. I haven’t given her that,” he said, feeling ashamed.
Mike’s eyes narrowed in understanding. “Only you know what your girl needs.”
Sam squared his shoulders. “Me. She needs me,” he decided, one hundred percent certain. “She has no family that truly cares about her well-being. From what I can see, she’s making real friends here for the first time. If either of us has reason not to trust in people, it’s her. And I’ve given her no reason to believe in me. In fact, I told her not to from day one.” His gut churned with the knowledge that he’d done nothing but push her away.
Mike leaned back, his gaze fully on Sam. “As someone who’s known you your whole life, I can say that I trust you. Just throw that Marsden focus her way and you’ll be fine.”
“That means a lot coming from you. Thanks.” Sam tipped his bottle against Mike’s.
“Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Something told Sam he’d be needing it.
* * *
Nicole was bone-deep tired, and she knew it wasn’t just from preparing for her grand opening tomorrow. But she and Aunt Lulu had done it. They were ready with exactly the right menu for the morning, they’d hired one part-time and one full-time worker, and everything was a GO.
She pulled her rental car into her driveway and dragged herself out of the vehicle, wanting nothing more than a hot shower and hours of sleep. No sooner had she walked to her front door than she heard her name.
“Nicole.”
She turned to find Sam striding across the lawn, looking relaxed and tanned, a bouquet of daisies in his hand. “I wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow.” He held out the flowers, an endearing grin on his face.
The walls she’d built up since he’d witnessed her humiliating interaction with her father melted easily. “Thanks,” she said, accepting the gift.
“Just getting home?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Long day.”
“Longer week,” she said, surprising herself by laughing easily with him. She’d missed him more than she thought possible. “Would you like to come inside?”
He stepped closer, and she inhaled his musky cologne, a warm, familiar scent that mocked her attempts at keeping a distance. “I would, but I know you have a big day tomorrow and have to be up early.”
She nodded, disappointment filling her.
He stepped closer, tilting her chin up with one hand. “I missed you this week.”
His minty breath tested her resolve. “I missed you too.”
He slid his lips over hers, once, twice, a third time before settling his mouth over hers. Her eyelids fluttered closed and she sighed into the kiss, knowing she was defeating the need to keep him at a distance before he pushed her away first.
His tongue swirled inside her mouth, finding an answering tug lower in her belly, a pulsing need between her thighs. She raised her hands to his hair, holding on as he seduced her with his talented mouth and tongue.
She was about to insist he needed to come inside when the loud honk of a car horn startled her, and she jumped back. She jerked toward the offending sound in time to see a large white BMW pull into her driveway.
“Oh my God.”
Sam glanced at the car. “Who is that?”
She swallowed hard, nausea filling her. “My mother.”