Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
I move to the kitchen and set up the new coffee machine to brew, letting it run through a water cycle.
While that’s going, I grab pen and paper. “I’m thinking it should look like this,” I explain when I’m done with my basic sketch. I can’t draw very well. But everything is clearly laid out in my diagram, complete with a cute little stick figure making donuts in the back.
Amos leans in close to inspect my sketch, his chin brushing the top of my shoulder. “Looks easy enough.”
My insides feel all wobbly with him close, so I side-step away from him.
“I was really lucky the bank was generous with the loan,” I say, babbling as usual. Anything to keep from focusing on the butterflies in my stomach. “Most first-time business owners don’t get as much capital as I did. Then this place came up for rent and it was like everything just fell together perfectly.”
It’s the first thing I’ve ever done without Jamie. He’s always tried to butt in and choose my life for me. I went to the college he wanted. I accepted the major that he picked out. Hell, I even dated guys I knew he would approve of.
A funny expression that I can’t define crosses Amos’s face. But before I can bring it up, he asks, “Where are the coffee mugs?”
I point to a pile of boxes in the middle of the kitchen floor. “I’m hoping in that pile. But if not, we can take turns lapping it out of our hands.” I’m trying to make a joke, to lighten the tension I’ve felt since Amos told me that we were stranded together in a snowstorm.
But the joke just makes me think about other things I’d like to see Amos do with his tongue. An image of his head between my thighs has me squeezing my legs together as my panties go damp.
He bends to grab the box and now it’s my turn to check out his denim-clad ass. Those jeans highlight his round globes. They’re tight and firm, perfect for sinking my teeth into.
“Are you checking out my features?” Amusement is in his voice.
“You wish,” I mutter, not sure how to deal with this side of Amos. He’s normally so uptight and aloof.
Turning away from the sight of male perfection, I grab sugar and creamer from the box with coffee supplies.
“And what if I do wish that?” He asks as he comes up behind me, setting two coffee mugs on the counter. He’s so close that his breath is stirring my hair and making me wonder what his lips would feel like against my neck.
Are we going to cross this line today?
4
LYLA
And what if I do wish that?
The question Amos asked hangs heavy in the air, creating an electric current more powerful than any lightning storm.
My heart pounds so loud I’m certain he can hear it and my brain short circuits. It’s impossible to think of anything but how badly I want him.
Taking a deep breath, I open my mouth just as my phone rings. My hands shake when I pull it from my pocket, frowning at Jamie’s name on my screen. He’s always had the worst timing.
Amos steps away from me, muttering, “Cockblocker.”
I shoot him a look, wondering why he’s acting strange today. Maybe it’s the snowstorm. Maybe that’s throwing him off-balance just like it is me. That’s what it has to be, right?
“You didn’t answer my text,” Jamie says. “Where the hell are you? Why didn’t you answer?”
I sigh dramatically for effect. My brother is ten years older than me and he’s always been overprotective. But it got worse after my dad died when I was just fourteen. I think he felt guilty that he was stationed overseas and couldn’t do much for me. “Yes, I’m here and safe. Amos picked me up at the airport.”
“Have you seen the shop in person?” He asks and I can hear the relief in his voice. He thinks I’m safe with Amos. He wouldn’t think that if he knew how close he was standing to me just seconds ago, his chest pressed against my back and my body absorbing his heat. If only I’d leaned back a little more, pressed my ass into the curve of his groin.
“It’s beautiful.” I smile and tell him about the snowstorm and how Amos is here helping me set up the place. I force my voice to stay light and cheerful, careful to avoid the slightest hint of tension.
When I’m done telling him all about it, I look around for Amos. But he must have slipped back into his side of the building.
“Everything here is good,” I reassure my brother. “We might lose power so don’t panic if I don’t call you for a few days.”
“Just try not to screw everything up this time,” Jamie says. “You already failed at college. Let’s not add this to the list.”