Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Pierce
I owe you forever.
Sara
I know.
I send her a rolling eye emoji, then pull up Kelsie’s name and hit call, already planning our date in my head. When I mentioned to my mom that I wanted to take Kelsie out on a real date, but Kelsie wasn’t keen on relying on others, Mom told me she’d handle it. And based on Sara’s text, she came through in the best way.
“Let me guess,” Kelsie says when she answers, “you want to know if I’ll go out with you.”
“Uh,” I splutter, unsure what to say since I wasn’t anticipating that response from her.
Kelsie laughs through the phone, and I sigh in relief. “You’re lucky you’re so cute,” she says, “or I might be upset that you manipulated your way into making sure I was kid-free so you could take me out.”
“In my defense, I only told my mom I wanted to take you out. The rest was her and Sara.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she says, her tone filled with mirth. “Jordan is packing for her sleepover as we speak. What time are you picking me up?”
I glance at the time. I’ll need to let Cinder out, take a shower, and make reservations. “Six good?”
“Yep, see you then.”
At six o’clock on the dot, I pull up to Kelsie’s house with a bouquet of flowers. I went with pink roses since they’re pretty and feminine like her, and I don’t know what her favorite flowers are—something I need to ask her.
When she opens the door, dressed in a gray sweater dress that molds to every one of her sexy curves and knee-high boots that show off her creamy thighs, I halt in my place, needing to take her in. Her auburn hair has been straightened, and she’s wearing a bit of makeup, making her lips look extra plump and kissable and her beautiful green eyes pop. I love every version of Kelsie I’ve had the pleasure of seeing, whether she’s in mom-mode or working at the café, but this version of her just might be my favorite.
“You look gorgeous,” I tell her, leaning in and kissing her cheek, not wanting to fuck up her lipstick yet.
“Thank you. It’s been a long time since I had the time to actually do my hair and makeup.” She shrugs a shoulder. “I feel like a grown woman.”
“And you definitely look like one,” I agree, doing one more sweep over her face and body. When my gaze meets hers, her cheeks are an adorable shade of pink.
“For you.” I hand her the bouquet, and her eyes widen in excitement.
“Wow!” She takes them from me. “They’re so pretty.” She brings the roses up to her nose and inhales. “And they smell so good. Thank you.”
We walk inside, and she sets them in the center of the table. “Good thing you got a vase because I don’t own one.” She admires them for a few seconds, spreads them out, then snaps a picture with her phone. “Sorry,” she says, hitting me with a shy smile over her shoulder. “I just love flowers so much.”
Her words crack at the end, and I reach out to turn her around, finding her eyes glassy with emotion. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She shakes her head and laughs. “I just always read about guys buying women flowers in my romance books, and I realized this is the first time someone has bought me flowers. I don’t know why that’s making me so emotional. I swear I’m not crazy,” she mutters, making us laugh.
“Hey,” I tell her, gripping the curves of her hips and pulling her toward me. “You were in a serious relationship that ended under awful conditions. I’d be more concerned if you didn’t have any emotions or hesitations about moving forward.”
“Thank you,” she says, circling her arms around my neck. “You have no idea what your patience and understanding mean to me.”
She lifts slightly and brushes her soft lips against mine. The sweet taste of her has me wanting to say, ‘fuck the date,’ and take her straight to bed. Instead, I pull back and take her hand in mine to get us out of this house—and away from the temptation.
“So, what’s on the agenda?” Kelsie asks once we’re in the truck and driving down her street.
“I was thinking Italian for dinner and pool at the billiards afterward.”
It’s nothing fancy—though the restaurant is on the more upscale end—but it will allow us plenty of time to talk and get to know one another. Since she’s been busy being a mom, I figured taking her somewhere she wouldn’t go with her daughter would be fun.
“That sounds great,” she says with a smile. “Are you good at pool?”
“I’m decent.”
“Decent, my ass!” Kelsie shouts over the music playing on the jukebox. “You’re a damn shark!”
She glares at me playfully and downs a shot, and I throw my head back with a laugh, completely enthralled by the woman in front of me.