Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“Cooper is going to kill me,” I say around a bite of burger.
“Cardio points from the stairs this morning, remember? But speaking of which, we should cancel all upcoming appointments with your trainer. At least until we know how long we’re gonna be at the ranch.”
“I’ll get Jamie on it.” When I finish my food, I take out my phone and text her an update about what’s happening and ask her to give both my personal trainer and vocal coach the week off.
When that’s done, I shift in my seat and watch Brix as he expertly maneuvers the car through traffic while throwing some fries into his mouth.
The same mouth I plan to do sexy things to as soon as we get to the ranch.
This morning I was freaking out, but Brix has a way of making me forget the reality of my stalker situation and trust that he and his team have it covered. Billy Webber still scares the shit out of me, but when I’m with Brix, it’s not a paralyzing fear.
Brix cocks his head in my direction. “What?”
“What, what?”
“You’re looking at me weird.”
“My turned-on look is weird? Good to know. Maybe that’s why I haven’t slept with many guys—they think my seductive face is creepy.”
“You’re turned on right now? Why?”
“Because I have a hot as fuck boyfriend who’s a big teddy bear on the inside.”
Brix scowls, and instead of seeing the hardass I met on day one who I thought was going to possibly kill me, the look is so damn adorable on him now. “Start spreading that shit around and I don’t know how long you’ll have a boyfriend.”
“Aww, you’re so tough.”
“Aww, you’re so condescending and mean.”
I laugh. “Don’t worry, your big bad secret is safe with me. Both of them. Though, I do think you should tell your teammates about your dad. You know they’ll be supportive.”
“It’s not that …”
“Then what is it?”
Brix changes lanes again. “It’s hard to explain, and I know saying it out loud will sound ridiculously … stupid.”
“Stupid how?”
“Dad raised me with the suck it up mentality. Don’t dwell on the shit you can’t change. Deal with it. When I was in the military, people would get transferred, some wouldn’t re-up, some … came home different than who they were when they left. People were always coming and going, and I realized quickly that long-lasting relationships in that environment weren’t for me. Even friendships.”
“I get it.” It’s sad, but I get it. “You’ve always been on your own, and you don’t know how to let people in, but haven’t you worked for Mike Bravo for four years now? Don’t you want to let them in?”
“I want to let you in. But … it’s hard. I’ve been this way my whole life. I don’t know how to let those walls down.”
I huff at the sudden realization. “The funny thing is, all I’ve ever wanted is for someone to see beyond the fake persona I was given. It’s kind of ironic the guy who does is the one who doesn’t let anyone see past his superficial stuff.”
“I’m trying. I’ve never … I’ve never felt the way I do about you.” He glances at me briefly but then looks back at the road.
I can tell he’s trying, and I appreciate it. I just wish … I wish it were easier for him to let go. It’s obvious he’s getting uncomfortable with how much of himself he’s admitting right now, so I give him a break.
“Drive faster.”
“Uh, why?”
“The sooner we get to the ranch, the sooner I get to jump you.”
Brix floors it and laughs but quickly slows back down to the speed limit. “As tempting as it is to risk crashing the car for sex, I think it’d be counterproductive when I’m supposed to be protecting you.”
“Hmm, true. Uh, how far away are we?”
“A little over an hour?”
I groan. “That’s too long.”
“It’s an hour of knowing that once we get to the ranch, my ass is all yours.”
I throw my head back. “Oh my God, that’s even worse.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I can see you inherited the same dry wit your dad has.”
Brix smiles. “I learned from the best.”
That one hour feels like an eternity before I have Brix naked in the same room we stayed in last time. The same place where we first kissed.
Where I got my first taste.
His big muscular body is spread out for me on the bed, and after the adrenaline rush of today and meeting his dad, I’m aching for him in ways I didn’t know existed.
I don’t want to just fuck him.
It’s about being close to him and showing him how much I want him. I want to prove we can make our relationship work.
I have to stroke my cock which is as hard as steel. It’s tempting to jump on top of him right now, but there’s a problem.