Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“Where was your father? Is he much of a cook?”
I turn off the faucet, place the pot on the stove, and turn it to high.
“Um…my dad wasn’t really part of our lives,” he responds, hurt dipping his voice. Sometimes, I wish Cam wasn’t in Paige’s life at all.
“My mother was a stay-at-home mom, and my father used to manage a hotel,” he shares.
“What hotel—?”
“Find anything to watch?” Heston interrupts, looking at Paige. She turns her head to glance at him then focuses back on the TV.
“How about The Mummy—or Mom’s favorite movie is on.”
Heston walks around the island and stands behind the couch. “What’s your mom’s favorite?”
“Nooo.” I run to slap my hand over Paige’s mouth, but she jumps up with the remote in her hand, a sly smile on her face.
Heston laughs and grabs me around the waist to hold me away from Paige.
“Tell me, Paige!” he encourages, and she falls into a fit of giggles.
“I will ground you for life and make you eat creamed corn every night!” I threaten, but she and Heston just laugh more.
He pulls my back against his chest, and I want to keep pretending to go after Paige, just so he’ll hold me tighter.
“Tell me all your favorite things, Rain,” he whispers in my ear. His hot breath brushes against the shell, and a shiver races down my neck, causing my nipples to press against my bra.
“Mannequin!” Paige shouts, and I suddenly lose the heat simmering inside my body. I internally groan at and lean my head back until I’m looking at the ceiling. Heston lets go of me, and I miss his touch instantly. “I don’t know that one.” He sounds confused. Thank God.
“It’s about a guy who’s obsessed with a mannequin—which isn’t actually a mannequin. It’s a woman who’s under a spell.” She basically tells him the whole movie, and Heston chuckles at my expense.
“What? It’s been my favorite since I was a kid.” I cross my arms, my cheeks feeling warmer than usual.
“I’ve seen it too many times. I’ll keep looking,” Paige scoffs, sitting back down.
Heston turns around, his backside leaning against the couch.
“So, you’re a romantic.” His head tilts to the side, his smoldering blue eyes looking through me. “I’m more of a horror movie guy myself.” Well, he and Paige have something in common.
“What’s your favorite?” I ask.
“Jason,” he clips.
“I know it well. A movie where the woman’s running and he’s walking but still seems to be right behind her the whole time?” I shrug. I could keep going on about the guy. “Paige likes him too.”
“Shit, the water.” He runs past me to the pot boiling over the top, spilling onto the stove. Turning it down, he grabs the pack of noodles off the counter and pours them in. Following him into the kitchen, I grab two glasses from a cabinet and open the wine. Hints of blueberry and blackberry make my mouth water. Turley is a favorite of mine. Gently pouring Heston and me a glass, I hand one to him.
“Yes. Thank you.” He wipes his hands on his jeans and takes it from me. Both of us take a sip, our eyes connecting over the rims of our glasses. I’m so lost in his intense stare, I don’t even taste the liquid filling my mouth until he looks away to set his down.
“I wasn’t sure if you liked red, but I’m guessing you do.” He gestures toward my glass, and I peek down, noticing it’s almost gone.
“Yeah, I like it, but I’m more of a Moscato drinker,” I admit, setting my empty wine glass down.
“Same,” he replies.
“We have a lot in common,” I point out, and he grabs me by the hips, pulling me toward him.
“Mmm, seems we do, don’t we?” His husky voice and large hands make me want to melt into him. It’s been so long since I’ve been this close to a man that I can barely contain myself. I want to pull my shirt over my head and let him ravish me right here. But, let’s be realistic, that can’t happen. It’s too soon, and Paige is also in here.
“On my way here, I was terrified you’d shut the door on me. Showing up like I did…I haven’t done this before,” he admits, and I find it charming.
“I’m glad you came.” I rest my hand on his shoulder, and he smirks. Fuck, I love that.
“When I looked you up, there were only two Adlers in the area. One, a Cameron Adler, then you. You were pretty easy to find.” The way he says that makes me uneasy, but I know he means well.
“Cameron is my ex-husband.”
“Ex? As in you’re separated but still hook up or you two don’t—”
“As in, that boat sailed, sunk, and waters will never be treaded again,” I interject, and his brows rise.