Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“Um,” I manage to get out, my mind completely blanking on me. No way in hell do I want Van to know I’d planned for a potential breakfast with him days ago. “Um…I just promised myself that I’d start eating a good breakfast every morning.”
“That’s a full pack of bacon,” he observes dryly. “Just decide that in the last few minutes?”
“No,” I say neutrally as the bacon starts to sizzle. “I bought it a few days ago. I’ve just not had really any time—”
“You bought it for me,” he says with a firm tone.
“No, I didn’t—”
His arms squeeze tight around me and his lips press into my hair. He doesn’t say a word, but his message is clear.
He’s thanking me for thinking of him.
“How long will that bacon take to cook?” he asks, and I recognize the husky sensual tone.
“Ten minutes if you want it crispy,” I whisper as one hand drops down between my legs.
“Don’t let it burn,” he murmurs, tilting his head so his mouth goes to my neck. His fingers dive down the front of my panties and then I’m lost as touches me.
My head falls back to his shoulder and I try to keep my eyes pinned to the bacon. It’s going to be hard, because I can tell by his soft, slow strokes he’s going to draw this out. He’s not going to let me come until the bacon is ready.
Blowing a gust of air back, I brace myself and hang on for the ride.
Chapter 17
Van
For the first time in my life, I feel like a crazed stalker. My eyes follow Simone as she mingles at the party, and I have an overwhelming urge to pick her up and carry her out of here. Back to the little house we share where I’ll dump her in my bed and possess her.
I’m not overly worried about this feeling. I think if I’d just seen her for the first time and felt this, then yes, I’d be worried. I’d have to believe that would be some of Arco’s genes rearing their ugly, sick little heads.
But it’s not that. I feel this way for Simone mostly because she’s given herself to me in all ways. Well, almost all ways. I could have her heart too if I demanded it, but I can’t go that far. Over the weeks, I’ve found that not only am I absolutely carnally crazed for her, but I actually genuinely like her. The first woman after Etta that I’ve actually liked, and thus I have to be careful so as not to hurt her. I’ve already let her get way too close to me, and not only is that dangerous for her, it presents a lot of problems for me. It means that I actually might have to admit that I’ve got the capacity to have more, and that scares the shit out of me as much as believing I could turn out like Arco one day.
We’re at Brian Brannon’s house celebrating the Cold Fury’s win of the eastern conference championship. We went all seven games with New Jersey, but we pulled it out in the end with a win at home last night. The Stanley Cup doesn’t start for six days, so tonight it’s all about partying and celebrating.
Simone and I actually rode together, deciding we could pass it off simply as roommates sharing transportation. But the minute we entered the Brannon mansion, she took off.
Probably for the best…I’m not sure I could be near her and just act like a normal mingler. I’m the least social guy on this team, but trying to do that while worrying that people might figure out that I’m crazy for her is too much stress.
So I watch her.
Like a stalker.
Right now she’s talking to Gray Brannon, Brian’s daughter, and our team’s general manager. She’s pregnant. Like really pregnant. Ready to drop any day now.
Her hand rests on her stomach, where she lovingly strokes the round curve, and I wonder if Simone wants kids. I’m not sure why that even crosses my mind, because that’s not something I’d ever be interested in. The ability I would have to fuck up my kids can’t be ignored.
Gray puts her other hand on Simone’s shoulder, gives it a squeeze, and then moves away to mingle with other people.
As if she knew all the time exactly where I was and that I would be staring at her, Simone turns to look at me across the room. Brannon’s house is huge, probably twelve thousand square feet, and the entire team and their guests can all fit easily in the great room that opens up right from the foyer.
Simone smiles at me before she takes a tiny sip of champagne. My lips curve slightly, but I move my gaze off her. I’m afraid she can see something I don’t want her to see.