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)
He stares over his shoulder at me with a sated smile. “So?”
I grab a pillow and flip around to lie on my stomach and prop myself up next to him. “Why was Eleven called Eleven when there were only five of you?”
“Whoa, we really are boyfriends now. Asking the hard questions.”
“Really?”
“No. It’s not a hard question. We were originally Eleven Ounces … like, the weight of a human heart.”
“Aww, how cheesy.”
“Right?” Harley exclaims. “Anyway, kind of like One Direction became 1D, it’s like people were too lazy to always say Eleven Ounces, and eventually we ditched the Ounces part.”
“Ah. That’s a more boring answer than I was expecting.”
“So? Who’s Mike?”
“No one. It’s the NATO phonetic alphabet.”
Harley looks confused. “MB? Okay, so what does MB stand for?”
I lean over and kiss him. “I’ll never tell.”
“Asshole.” He laughs.
I jump up before he can shove me, but he grabs my pillow and throws it at my head instead.
I swat it away before it can hit me. “Are you seriously trying to start a pillow fight right now?”
“Isn’t that what boyfriends do?”
“I think you’re confusing me with a twelve-year-old girl at a slumber party.”
Harley eyes me from head to toe. “Yeah, I could see how someone could make that mistake.”
I glare at him.
“Get it? Because you’re, like, so big and the complete opposite? It’s funny!”
“Hot tip. If you need to explain your jokes, they’re probably not funny.”
“Whatever,” Harley mumbles. “I’m hilarious.”
He’s still sitting on the floor, so I go over to him and kiss the top of his head.
“At least you make someone laugh. I’m going to throw some clothes on and go to the store.”
“O-okay.” Harley bites his lip the way he does when he’s nervous.
“You’ll be safer here than coming with me, as much as I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know. I just wish I could do normal shit with you, like go to a fucking grocery store.”
I slide down next to him to sit on the floor. “You know you could have a normal life if you wanted it. Truly wanted it. It’d take a few years to disappear from the spotlight, but it’s a possibility.”
“You want me to quit?”
“No! No, no, no. Let’s get one thing out there. I will always support you, no matter what. I’m not with you because you’re Harley Valentine. I’m with you because you’re mine. Because …” Those three little words are on the tip of my tongue, but something holds me back. It feels too soon or like we’re not quite there even though I feel it in my gut. “Because I want to be where you are, no matter what you’re doing. Even if you were to take away my contract when it’s up, I’ll still want to follow you.”
“Y-you want to be my bodyguard after your contract is up?”
I reach over and cup his face. “Of course I do. I will be here as long as you need me to be.”
Harley still looks like he has some doubt, but when I lean forward and press my lips to his, he melts. If he needs convincing that I’m not going anywhere, I’m more than willing to give it.
But right now, he needs a different kind of reassurance. I pull back. “If you want to give all this up, you can. Eventually, you’d be able to go grocery shopping and”—I gasp—“do your own laundry. Make your own bed. Doesn’t that sound so fucking exciting?”
Harley laughs. “It sounds fascinatingly boring, but for now I’m good with music.”
“I figured. Just trying to give you options.” I kiss him again briefly. It’s like I can’t be near him and go five minutes without doing it. “Okay, I really am going to go now.”
“Uh-huh.” Harley kisses me this time, strong and hard, and then he throws his leg over my waist and climbs into my lap.
My dick perks up, trying to get ready for round two, but the poor thing is still spent. “Gatorade,” I murmur against Harley’s mouth.
He pulls back. “What?”
“If you’re going to keep jumping me, I’m gonna need to stay hydrated.” I smack his ass for him to climb off me.
He reluctantly does but doesn’t look happy about it.
“Gatorade, lube, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. That’ll be an interesting checkout. I can imagine the cashier’s face right now. Anything else we need?”
“Uh, food?”
“Oh, right. Should probably pick up some of that too.”
“And M&M’s.” He blinks at me innocently.
“I will never deny you anything you want, but I get to tell your trainer.”
He slumps. “Fine. No M&M’s. Just know I hate you.”
“Be back in an hour.”
Harley nods.
As I get dressed and kiss him goodbye, unease settles over me. He’s as safe here as he’s ever going to be, so I have nothing to worry about, but it’s still hard letting it go.
I possibly speed a little too much and shop a little too fast, but I want to get back to him as soon as I can.