Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
I knew what she was thinking.
Hell, I was thinking the same damn thing.
But I didn’t think she’d follow through and kiss me until I felt her lips press against mine. I should’ve stopped her, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. Having her close felt too damn good. I slipped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer, and a light moan vibrated through her chest when I ran my tongue across her bottom lip.
I was treading on a dangerous path, but I couldn’t help myself. Neither of us could. Her hands wound around my neck, and her fingers raked through my hair as I deepened the kiss. It felt incredible to have her in my arms. I didn’t want to let her go—not now. Not ever. I knew then I’d never get enough of her.
We were both lost in the moment when I heard a man clearing his throat. I immediately pulled back, breaking our embrace, and I wasn’t pleased to find an old pervert standing there watching us. I gave him an angry scowl, and it wasn’t long before he disappeared down the hall.
As soon as he was gone, Jules gave me a casual pat on the shoulder, then started back to the bar as she announced, “I need another shot.”
“You sure about that?”
“Absolutely,” she shouted. “Might take two.”
“Jules!”
Ignoring me, she went over to our table and poured herself another shot. She salted the crook of her hand, then gave it a lick before drinking the shot. Her face twisted into a grimace as she swallowed. She sucked on her lime for a moment, and I thought that would do her. It didn’t.
She poured another, and within seconds, it was down the hatch.
“And that, my friends, is how it’s done.” Hayes shook his head and chuckled, then turned to me and said, “It’s your go, brother.”
“Good.” It was time to put an end to this game, so I grabbed my pool stick and took the shot. As soon as the ball dropped into the pocket, I moved to the next and then, the next. When the eight ball was all that remained, I announced, “Left corner pocket.”
The words had barely left my mouth when the eight ball slammed into the left corner pocket. Hayes almost sounded disappointed when he announced, “And that’s game, ladies.”
“That was awesome.” Caroline smiled as she said, “Thanks for letting us play.”
“You wanna play another round?”
“That’s a hard pass for me. I’m... ah done,” Jules slurred. “I gotta get home. My bed is calling my name.”
“But how are you going to get home?” Caroline was buzzed but still had the wherewithal to remember that Jules needed a way home. “You’ve been drinking, Hun. You can’t drive.”
“I’m not gonna.” Jules grabbed her phone from her pocket. “I’m gonna call an uber.”
“No, you’re not.” I stepped over to her as I ordered, “I’m taking you home.”
“What? No, I can...”
“I’m taking you home, Jules. It’s not up for discussion,” I insisted. “Now, give me your keys.”
“So bossy.” She swayed over to the table and grabbed her purse. She started fumbling around inside and after several seconds of searching, she pulled them out and announced, “Found them!”
“Good girl.” Fearing she might lose her balance, I took hold of her arm and led her toward the front door as I told Hayes, “Make sure Caroline gets home safe.”
“Will do, brother.”
Once we were outside, I helped Jules into her car, then closed the door behind her. I walked around and got in next to her, then started the car. I’d planned on taking her home until I looked over and found her practically passed out in the seat. There was no way in hell I was going to leave her alone while she was incapacitated, so I decided to take her to my place.
It took just over twenty minutes to get to the house, and even with all the twists and turns, Jules never even budged. I pulled up to the back door, then parked and got out. When I opened Jules’s door, she groaned, “I’m good. Just leave me here.”
“Sorry, babe. Not gonna happen.” I unbuckled her seatbelt, then gave her a gentle tug. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”
“I can’t,” she whined.
Realizing she wasn’t going to be any help, I slipped my arms under her and lifted her from the seat. The second her body collided with my chest, she fussed, “Wait, stop. I’m too heavy.”
“You’re not too heavy.”
“You’re crazy,” she muttered, all the while wrapping her arms around me and resting her head on my shoulder. “You’re gonna throw your back out.”
“I’m gonna be fine.”
I continued up the steps, and after some careful finagling, I opened the door and took her inside. I carried her over to the sofa and laid her down. She looked like an angel all curled up with her eyes closed. Worried she might get cold, I pulled a blanket over her legs, then headed for the kitchen.