Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“I use whatever.” He grabs one of the forks and stabs it into the salad. “Country boy, remember.” He winks at me. I follow suit.
“Does that mean you don’t come from money?” When I ask about his money situation, I see the eyes of a woman a few seats over go big. “Shit,” I mutter under my breath. "We're not supposed to discuss money, right?" I whisper that part too.
“My parents did all right. They own a ranch.” Eros's tone goes up a few notches for anyone at the table to hear. "It's hard work, but my grandfather and then my father grew it every year." Interesting. Then why is he here in the city? Shouldn't he be off on a ranch somewhere helping the family with their legacy?
Then I remember that he went to college with the groom. That means he could have flown in. "Did you fly in for the wedding, then?"
"No." I release a breath I didn't know I was holding.
I have no clue why the hell I feel relieved by his answer. It should have no bearing on me. It doesn’t matter whether he lives here or not. This is just for fun. That’s all.
I want to continue peppering him with questions, but I shove another forkful of salad into my mouth instead. There’s something about this man that keeps drawing me in and piquing my curiosity. It’s not something I’m used to.
“I’ve answered a lot of questions. Yet you haven’t told me much about yourself. I think it’s my turn.”
4
EROS
It might have taken an hour and a few glasses of champagne, but Lev has started to relax more. I threw a few death glares across the table as a warning to those who were staring at her. I usually maintain a relaxed demeanor—until I don't.
I got her to tell me about how she got fired and Caleb’s part in it. I nod along, pretending I haven't got a clue. Her true passion lies in makeup and sketching. She gets so animated when she talks about it. She’s an artist. When I said that, Lev glanced away, taking another bite of her dinner. I think to hide the blush that had bloomed. I’m not sure who gave her that doubt that she’s not, but it pisses me off.
The one topic I did notice she skirted around on was where she lived. Only saying that it was with her parents. It wouldn’t be hard for me to find out if I wanted to. I could have her address and a lot more if I desired within minutes.
But I want her to tell me about herself. To lower those walls for me. When I made the offhand comment, ‘Oh, so they're still married,’ she only shrugged. I steered the conversation in another direction and told her more about me. I didn’t want to spook her. I’ll let her bloom at her own pace… for now.
“Did it upset your parents when you said you didn’t want to be a rancher?” Lev takes a bite of the wedding cake that I’d gotten for her. The little moan she makes goes straight to my dick.
“No. I think they knew early on I wouldn't be sticking around. I excelled in school, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not in my blood. I miss it at times.”
“Really?” That makes her smile, so I keep going. Whatever keeps it on her pretty face.
“Yeah, I grew up riding and steering. It becomes second nature.” I turn my hand over to show her my palm. I might spend my days behind a desk now, but where you come from will always linger. It becomes a part of you. Lev runs her soft fingers across my calluses.
“I have a few. Not like yours though.” She shows me one of her delicate fingers, and you can see the indent from where she is always holding either a brush or a pencil. I rub my finger across it.
Lev doesn’t try to pull away. Only keeps on smiling. She takes my breath away, but when she smiles, it's more breathtaking than any sunset I have ever seen. It lights you up inside. It’s a feeling that I never want to go away. I want to bask in it for the rest of my life.
“I think it would be kinda badass to go to a ranch one day. To ride a horse. The only animals I've ever seen were at the zoo during our mandatory school visits. I don’t really get to leave the city.”
“All you have to do is ask,” I remind her. Lev shakes her head, not believing me. That’s fine. I’ll keep saying it and, more than that, proving it until she believes it. If I’m anything, it’s persistent.
Like a wild horse. You don’t have to break them. All you need is time and patience. You earn their trust. But you have to keep it. That’s the part a lot of people often forget. It’s not blind trust. It goes both ways.