Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Why not?” Aubrey demands. “He marked you like a piece of property. I think he’ll be back for a double helping of Tate pie.”
I crack up laughing. “Tate pie?”
“Mostly sweet but kind of tart too. Especially when you start asking hard questions we don’t want to answer in our sessions.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Gemma complains. “Dad doesn’t think I need to talk to Tate. So unfair.”
“I’m just shocked you broke him down enough to get a kiss,” Willa says with wonder in her voice. “He’s always so jumpy and gruff. Always ready to bolt when he’s had enough.”
“He’s still jumpy and gruff and ready to bolt when he’s had enough,” I assure her. “Last night’s blue balls can attest to that.”
The girls snigger and I join them.
Funky hops back onto the bed and sashays over to Willa. She pulls him into her lap, snuggling him close.
“You have to kiss him again,” Gemma says. “He needs this. He needs someone cute and sweet to get him to act like a human. You’re obviously the perfect man for the job.”
“I really don’t think he’ll be back for more Tate cake.”
“Tate pie,” Aubrey corrects. “And he totally will. We’ll help you.”
“I don’t need help,” I rush out. “Seriously. Please don’t bother him.”
Gemma laughs. “Too late. Get dressed. Make sure you look hot. We’re going to find him so you can tempt him with your sexy ass. Come on. Hop to it.”
I gape at her in horror.
She’s serious.
She’s really freaking serious.
The four of us have trouble containing our laughter. If we’re supposed to be sneaking up on Jude, we’re doing a terrible job. We pass by Wyatt’s room. His home health nurse is inside, rubbing lotion on his old, papery thin-skinned legs.
“Trouble times four,” Wyatt calls out, grinning at us.
I give him a goofy wave as we pass. We follow Gemma as she prowls down the hallway, tapping her witch nails on the wooden panels along the way. She reaches the gym door and cracks it open. Then she slowly closes it before whirling around to face us.
“He’s in there,” she hisses, grinning at me. “You need to go in there and do something flirty.”
“Flirty how?” I ask, frowning.
“Bend over in front of him,” Gemma says. “Let him see how those jeans hug your adorable ass.”
Aubrey groans. “Don’t take flirting advice from a virgin who’s literally dated no one. Gemma lives in a false reality. Just ask her Instagram following.”
Gemma flips her off but doesn’t argue. “Whatever.”
“Maybe just go in there and talk to him,” Willa suggests. “About last night and how he left so abruptly.”
“No,” Aubrey says, shaking her head as she grabs onto my shoulders and backs me toward the gym door. “Go in there, walk up to him, and say, ‘thanks for the blue balls, asshole. Care if I return the favor?’ Then grab him by the dick, give him a little squeeze, and walk away. Trust me, he’ll be unable to resist.”
“Oh God,” Gemma groans. “Jude’s not Spencer. He’s going to require a little more finesse than your horny baby daddy.”
“I agree with Gemma,” Willa says, wincing. “Tate’s not like…”
“Me?” Aubrey asks, lifting an eyebrow in challenge. “Maybe he ought to be. I don’t have any issues pleasing a man.” She smirks at me. “Or two.”
I’m about to argue that we should all just leave, when a cold breeze swirls around me. The scent of cinnamon and manly sweat fills the air. I don’t have to look behind me to know who’s standing there. Every hair on my arms stands at attention, buzzing with electricity.
“Oh shit,” Aubrey mouths to me.
Jude’s palms gently grip my hips as he pushes me aside. Fire licks at my body at his touch. All too soon, he pulls his hands away and steps past me. All three girls smother their giggles with their hands while I attempt to reorient myself now that I’m no longer in his orbit but still spinning.
He strides several steps away but abruptly stops. His hoodie is soaked with sweat and clings to his muscular back. I’d give anything to peel it off his body right about now.
Jude looks over his shoulder, locking eyes with me. Heat sears a fiery path straight to my balls when he drops his gaze to my neck.
Where. He. Marked. Me.
His hand curls into a fist and I wonder if he’ll pounce on me. Hell, I’ll welcome it. He doesn’t attack me with his hungry mouth, unfortunately. All I get is a small nod before he pivots on his heel and stalks away.
God.
Why does he affect me this way?
As soon as he disappears, Gemma digs her freaky cat claws into my jaw, jerking my head toward her. Her eyes glitter with mischief and her grin is devilish.
“He is so hot for you,” she whisper-yells. “Oh my God. Did you see that barely contained lust?”