Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
There was silence on the line.
“You little witch,” Sammy mumbled.
I laughed. “I have never heard you like this.”
She sighed. “He is frustrating.”
“But?”
“But so freaking hot, Mila. All growly and grumpy. His glowers and snark turn me on. It makes me want to press his buttons to see how far I can push him.”
“And see what happens when he explodes?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
“Are you ready for that? For what might occur between you if you set him off?”
“I know what I want to happen. And, at times, I think he wants it too.”
“Sammy Morrison, are you planning on sleeping with him?”
She laughed. “Don’t sound so shocked. We’re consenting adults. A mutual itch-scratching session could be exactly what we need.”
“Is that all it would be?”
“Yes. He’s here and not leaving this place. I roam everywhere. Not a good match. But I certainly wouldn’t mind riding that cowboy once. Or twice.”
“Be careful.”
“Don’t worry. I always am.”
“I meant with your heart, Sammy. Not protection.”
She chuckled. “It’s all fine, Mila. I’m not looking for anything permanent. Just a little stress-reliever.”
Then she changed the subject, and I brought her up-to-date with my trip and all the shenanigans at brunch. “The boys got into a wrestling match over the last scones. By the time Liam was declared the winner, Bentley and Aiden had eaten them all. They dogpiled on Aiden. It was hilarious.”
“And Bentley?”
I chuckled in remembrance. “He simply looked at the boys, almost daring them to tackle him. No one moved until he was walking past the pool.”
“No,” she breathed. “They didn’t.”
“Liam tackled him right into the water. Then Aiden jumped in, and suddenly, the pool was full of grown men acting like kids. Even Dad got in on it. It was so funny.”
“I’m sorry I missed it.”
“Mom videoed it. I am sure she will send it to you.”
“Good. Okay, I hear Luke bellowing. I must have done something to displease him. Probably the suggestion I gave to Callie to add a taco bar to the menu. Clients would love it, and she was going to do a trial run on Tuesday. It will feature his damn beef, so it should make him happy, not all shouty. Gotta go!”
She hung up and I laughed. I heard the underlying excitement in her voice. She liked riling up Luke Adler. Making him all shouty. I had a feeling I was going to be hearing a lot about him in the coming days.
I stood and stretched.
Her words had inspired a scene for the romantic comedy I was currently writing. I hurried home to get the words out before I forgot them.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, unsure at the image before me. The dress Cami had me try on wasn’t like anything I normally wore.
Ever.
The rich red currant color looked odd against my pale skin. The dropped sleeves exposed my shoulders and neck, and the crisscrossed bodice emphasized my breasts. The full skirt swirled around my knees, the silky fabric cool against my skin.
“It’s perfect,” Cami murmured.
“Mila,” Mom breathed out. “That looks gorgeous on you.”
“It’s not, ah, too much?” I asked, worried.
“No. It’s just different. But if you have a formal event or dinner to go to, it will be perfect,” Cami assured me.
I eyed the pile of clothes behind me. She had gone overboard, but I had to admit I had loved everything she had chosen. Simple pants and tunics. Cool, pretty skirts and tops. All in lovely colors and easy to care for. Low heels and nice sandals. I had tried on a couple of other, simple dresses, but this one was dressier. And definitely sexy.
“Good for an unplanned date as well,” Cami murmured, tugging at the neckline. “I need to lift this a little. It sags, and I want it perfect.” She began to pin it, muttering to herself. “An inch off the bottom as well. You have great legs. We need to show them off.”
“I highly doubt I’ll be going on any dates,” I protested.
“You never know.”
I didn’t bother to remind her I hadn’t been on a date in years. Nothing serious anyway. If I did get asked on one, I was always so quiet and awkward, I was never asked on a second one. I just wasn’t girlfriend material.
I wasn’t any kind of material.
I touched the fabric. “It’s so soft.”
“Silk,” Cami said. “From a manufacturer I like. Breathes, doesn’t wrinkle easily, and feels good against your skin. A lot of the skirts and blouses are made of it as well. But you have to dry-clean it.”
“Okay.”
“There.”
I looked back at the mirror with a small sigh of relief. She had lifted the neckline and sleeves so it skimmed my shoulders and exposed my collarbone but not so much of my breasts. The dress was still sexy, but more understated. That, I could handle, although I wasn’t sure I would ever have the occasion to wear the dress. But it was pretty.