Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“Are you even listening to me?” he asks, finally putting me down, allowing me to feel the whole length of his body.
“Uh, you said something?” I respond, blinking repeatedly, trying to see if anything will drum up what he was talking about.
“I guess you were lost in Lily Land. I asked what we’re making for dinner.”
“More like daydreaming about how your hands felt against my skin,” I mumble.
“That was my goal, but you know what they say. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and honey, the coffee and omelet I had this morning are not going to last much longer.” Beau’s hands are sliding from my hips to cup the globes of my ass.
“Well, there are snacks we can munch on while everything is cooking, maybe that will keep you from snacking on me,” I joke.
“Damn, tough crowd today. I’ll have to work on that.” He squeezes my ass one more time and then moves us so we’re walking inside the house together, his arm around my shoulder and mine wrapped around his waist.
“Nah, just giving you hell. Today has been so much fun. Thank you for taking me out. It’s been great and just what I needed.”
“It’s a good thing it’s only the beginning. Come on, let’s go make some food, watch the sun fade into the distance, and maybe watch a movie. Sound good to you?” Our eyes lock on one another’s.
“That sounds perfect to me.” With that, we go inside, neither of us able to keep our hands off each other in some way.
Chapter 9
Beau
If I were a better man, I would have sent Lily home a while ago. Seeing as I’m not and it’s well after dark, I made it my mission for us to watch one more movie, and now I can’t stand the thought of her leaving. Not that Lily is itching to go home, what with the way she’s snuggled into my side, her boots and socks long since forgotten. My legs are on the leather ottoman that came with the couch as a set, and her legs are entwined with mine.
“I think it’s safe to say you should stay here tonight,” I tell her. Not only is she tired, but after today, I’m pretty much insisting.
“I probably should. I’m not sure I want to drive.” We’re both full from the dinner she brought over. We worked together in the kitchen without any bickering going on, well, until her phone started ringing, she’d ignore it, then it started up again. It happened two more times until I answered the phone with a clear, “What?” Too bad the only thing on the other end was some dipshit breathing heavily before I heard something shatter against the wall. The calls stopped, and I told Lily to go ahead and put him back on Do not disturb, just in case he got a wild hair. Which is why I don’t really want her to leave.
“If you decide to go home, I’ll just have to follow you and then drive back home or stay with you,” I respond.
“That’s dumb. I’ll just stay here. But right now, I’m too comfy to move.” Lily sinks closer into my body, her head resting on my chest.
“Alright, we’ll watch another movie then get ready for bed.” I kiss the top of her head, the scent of her shampoo clinging to my senses, rich and fruity, a blend of berries, with a touch of lemon.
We settle on another action movie. Earlier, I offered Lily the remote so she could pick out something. It took her a few minutes before she pulled up a Heath Ledger movie, one where he didn’t play the good guy. This time, she picks out something a little lighter but still with the same actor, giving me a clue that she must like him or something.
“Please don’t be upset if I fall asleep on you. If I do, just leave me on the couch, okay?” she murmurs into my chest. I don’t even bother responding because if she does in fact do just that, I’ll pick her up, carry her to bed, and climb in beside her.
“Whatever you say, Lily, whatever you say,” I murmur before placing the remote on the couch beside me, grabbing the blanket without jostling her too much, knowing there will be a chill in the night air. I place it on top of her, not really needing it for myself. I’m always warm. It’s probably why I rarely use the heat during the winter, and in the summer, I kick the thermostat down as much as possible without messing with the air conditioner.
My hand glides through her silky hair. She hums when I massage the base of her neck, wanting her to relax in the best way possible. She shouldn’t be going through this much of an upheaval. Lily has enough to contend with, a business owner who’s successful in every way imaginable, tough as nails, and knows what she wants. I continue working her muscles until she’s lax, in a sleep-like state. My head tilts back, eyes closing as I bask in the presence of the woman before me and thank my lucky fucking stars she’s happy this isn’t pretend. The only thing we need to work on now, well, besides us, is this Chad character. Something tells me he won’t go away quietly. Which means I’ll be meeting with Graham, the Sheriff of Cherry Falls, if shit doesn’t get taken care of, and soon.