Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 58600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
“I just think all the relationship stuff about Mom might’ve messed me up. I don’t know…”
“Why don’t you talk to us about it?” Lily says softly.
“Okay, but promise not to laugh.”
“After tonight, there’s no way we’d laugh at you.”
I take a breath. “Almost every guy Mom has been with has lied to her in some way, right? Sometimes, these have been little lies. But other times, they’ve been absolutely absurd, like not having families, or having a relative who’s dying, yada yada yada. Get it?”
“Yeah…” Cleo says.
“Well, Alex says he’s got this nephew he’s caring for after his brother passed away. Only, there are no photos of this nephew on his social media. And he hasn’t even got any photos of him on his phone. Isn’t that suspicious?” I rush ahead before they can respond, caught up in the possibly insane idea. “I mean, not even one photo. But if this is all just about getting me into bed, why the heck would he protect me like that, you know?”
“I don’t know, babe,” Lily says quietly. “Maybe you’re overthinking it. Maybe he just doesn’t use his phone a lot.”
“Yeah, but...” Cleo sighs. “Men do lie. But why does this matter if it’s all casual anyway?”
“Cleo, he’s keeping guard outside her house after saving her life. This has already gone beyond casual,” Lily scolds.
It all makes my head spin.
“I’m going to try and get some sleep,” I say… well, lie. I won’t be sleeping much tonight.
“Call us if you need us,” Lily says.
“Yeah, any time,” Cleo adds.
“I will. Thanks for not calling me crazy.”
I end the call, then return to the window, typing a text.
Tori: You don’t have to stay out there all night.
Alex: I know I don’t have to, but I wouldn’t forgive myself if I left and something happened.
Tori: Don’t you have work?
Alex: Not until tomorrow morning. An eight-six shift.
Tori: You can’t go without sleep all night and then work a shift like that!
Alex: Not to shatter your illusions about the healthcare industry, beautiful, but that’s not exactly uncommon.
I smile, which feels like a miracle after the night I just had.
Tori: How are you feeling?
Alex: It isn’t important.
Tori: Don’t be silly. This has been a wild experience for you, too. It’s not every day you face down a gunman.
Alex: The only thing I feel is a desire to make sure you’re okay.
My heart grows warm with this Valentine’s silliness. The heat with my silver fox savior was never supposed to burn this hot this fast.
Tori: I just want to forget about it all. I don’t want to think about anything. But I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep, either.
Alex: Why don’t you write some poetry?
Tori: Writing is thinking. In fact, it might be the worst thing because it means disappearing into my mind.
Alex: You’re so… soulful, Tori.
Another smile.
Tori: Soulful, huh? That’s a new one.
Alex: You are. You put up a shield. You want to pretend nothing bothers you. But you can’t.
Tori: I just want some distraction. It’s not that deep.
Alex: Don’t tempt me to play that game, not when all this adrenaline is still surging through my body.
I sit on the edge of my bed, a shiver coursing through me. It feels dangerous, taboo in some way—we shouldn’t go here so soon after what happened.
Tori: What game are we talking about, huh?
Alex: You know damn well. I think you’re trying to get me to tell you.
I don’t want to tell him how little experience I’ve got. But I’m texting the truth.
Forgetting about all of it—Damien, my doubts, my quest to keep this casual – is so much easier than thinking.
Tori: …
Alex: Three dots have never meant so much. I could distract you, beautiful, but you’d probably think I was a psycho for getting so damn horny so damn fast after what happened tonight. But each kiss, each touch, it’d be a sign that I’m never going to let anyone hurt you.
Shivers dance all over me as I read his message, remembering the feel of his lips, his hands on my hips.
Tori: …
Alex: I’d find you in bed, you perfect, curvy, sensual poet. Then, I’d tear your pants down to reveal your thick and delicious legs. I’d fall to my knees, getting ready to feast on you and worship you in equal measure.
Tori: …
My one hand begins to stray up and down my thigh, almost like it’s doing it on its own. My core aches, my underwear suddenly feels too tight, my clit throbbing as if needy for his attention.
So much for not getting swept away.
But it’s just texting. I’m safe.
He continues, and for a blissful, brief moment, any body-image issues disappear in a puff of smoke.
Alex: You know how much I love to sink my hands into your fullness. I’d bury my hands in your delectable legs, kiss closer and closer to your sex, and trail my tongue around your hole until you’re shivering and wet. The whole time, your clit would be aching, hungry for my attention. I’d know this but wouldn’t push my tongue against it right away.