Total pages in book: 213
Estimated words: 201920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1010(@200wpm)___ 808(@250wpm)___ 673(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 201920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1010(@200wpm)___ 808(@250wpm)___ 673(@300wpm)
“Hey, thanks,” I tell him before he heads off chasing whomever she is.
“Yeah, no problem,” he says and then finally looks back at me. “Seriously, it’s not a big deal. Just thought you’d want a heads-up.”
“Thanks, Daniel,” Allie calls after him as he stalks away in the opposite direction of that chick. “Delete that from your spank bank, please.” I love her smile and humor, but not right now. Not when I know a piece of her has to be hurting.
If only she’d admit it.
“You sure you’re all right?” I ask her.
“Yeah, I don’t care.”
I lean against the wall as I consider her. “Not even a little?”
“Nope,” she says, really emphasizing the word and her mouth lets out a little pop as she does. “It is a little dirty and it’s not like voyeurism isn’t trending right now … but I know who I am and they don’t. They just want to feel better about themselves. That’s the only reason for saying those things. I’ll admit I’m happy you can’t really see my face,” she says, lowering her voice as she walks closer to me, letting her hands settle against my chest. “And you kind of look hot from that view. It’s not one I get to see.”
I let out a hint of a chuckle and give her the response she wants.
“If you want, I’ll track down the asshole who shared it,” I offer her. I don’t add that I’ll be breaking his fucking phone over his little prick head.
“Seriously, Dean. It’s not that big of a deal.”
She leans against the brick wall, her bookbag squished behind her. “It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. Pretty sure most women hear it at some point.” Letting out a short laugh, she adds, “Maybe not for fucking where people can see …” She gets up on her tiptoes and plants a small kiss on my lips as if to end the conversation.
I don’t like it.
I don’t like it at all.
“Your ass is coming with me this weekend,” I tell her, and her mouth opens in surprise. It’s the possessiveness in me that made up my mind. If I’m going, she’s going.
“I’m coming with you?” She repeats my statement like it’s a question although her brow raises like it’s a challenge.
“Yes,” I say sternly, wrapping my hand around her waist and crushing her into my chest. “I want you to come with me.” My skin tingles with the heat of anxiety.
I anticipate a fight, but I get a sweet, “Okay,” and a quick peck on the lips.
I guess I’m really going now.
ALLISON
There’s an uneasiness in the pit of my stomach.
That’s what makes me so aware that everything is wrong and off-kilter.
I know it when I get into Dean’s car. I’m conscious of it in every fiber of my body as I click the seat belt into place. This unsettled feeling won’t leave. I know something bad is going to happen.
But he keeps smiling at me.
So, I swallow it down and try to breathe.
It’s partly because I’m so fucking aware that I want more of him. That I’m on the verge of giving him whatever he’d want, just to keep him. That’s the crux of it. I want him. And more than that, I want him to want me.
The car engine clicks over and the radio booms to life. I keep telling myself that I can pretend. I lie and tell myself I’ll like pretending.
I think I’ve lied so much up to this point that I’m not even sure what’s real anymore.
“This song blows,” I say, reaching for the stereo just to fuck with him and distract myself, but Dean smacks my hand away. It stings for a moment and I feign a pained expression.
“My car, my radio,” he says, completely deadpan.
“Seriously,” I tell him, giving up on switching the dial since he keeps thwacking me with the back of his hand. “I’m not listening to this for two hours.” My brow is raised and the most serious of expressions is on my face.
“You have to be kidding.” Dean stares at me with a look of despair in his eyes and I finally break my composure, settling back into the seat and kicking off my flip-flops so I can sit cross-legged.
“Yeah, I am. This is the only station I actually like up here.” I can’t hold back my smile as that familiar warm feeling flows through me. The one where I give a damn about how my words will be taken. If he gets me.
I’ve heard Dean laugh a few times and usually it’s this sexy, deep and rough chuckle that seems to vibrate up his chest, but this laugh, this is different. It’s easy as he throws his head back and gives me a handsome smile.
It’s a dangerous look because it makes me smile too.