Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Which leads me to my real problem.
I get attached way too easily. I always have. So, I don’t tend to notice the flaws in the relationship I’m in, or if I do notice something that doesn’t sit well with me, it’s too late. I’m already fully invested in making things work, despite knowing I shouldn’t. That is not just an issue I have only with men. It’s happened with friendships, business relationships, and more.
“What’s that look?”
“What?” I pretend I don’t know what he’s talking about.
“The look you just had on your face. What were you thinking?”
“Nothing.” I try to scoot off the counter, but he doesn’t allow me room to get down. “Miles—”
“If this is going to work, you’re going to need to talk to me, Em.”
“I suck at relationships.” I sigh, seeing the determined glint in his eyes that says he’s not going to move until I give in. “I get attached too quickly, and I just… I just fall, and that’s dangerous when you don’t really know someone.”
“Babe, I’ve only had one serious relationship, and that was with Hazel. As you know, that did not work out. I’m not good at compromising, and I like to be in charge.” Oh Lord, that should not cause my core to clench. “I’m also selfish and territorial, so I’ll likely ask for too much of your time and still want more.” He leans in close. “We’ll figure shit out. I’m not saying it will all be rosy, but if you’re honest with me, I’ll be honest with you.”
Looking into his eyes, I try to remember if I’ve ever been with anyone who’s as outspoken or as honest as he is. I don’t think I have, and as weird and unnerving as it is, it’s refreshing to not have to play the game of a million and one questions while never actually getting an answer.
“Okay, we’ll figure things out.”
His body still holding mine hostage relaxes. “Good, now, what do you want to eat? Because I doubt you ate this afternoon after you got home.”
“Actually, I did. I had some carrots and hummus,” I inform him.
“Wow, you must be stuffed,” he mutters sarcastically, and I press my lips together. “Tell me what you want, or I’m choosing for us.”
“Fine, Mexican food. Birria Tacos, to be exact, with chips and queso.”
“Finally.” He leans in and presses his mouth to mine. The kiss is soft and sweet, then over before I know it. Helping me down from the counter, he rights my dress for me, then keeps his arm wrapped around my back, so we are pressed chest-to-chest. “As much as I love you in those boots, you wanna take them off while I order us food?”
“Yeah.”
“All right, go do that,” he orders, and I walk to the door while he grabs his cell phone.
Bending at the waist, I unzip my boots and take them off, then walk back to the kitchen to join him. As soon as I’m close, and despite the fact that he’s on the phone ordering us dinner, he reaches for my hand and pulls me into him, tucking me against his side.
Yeah, I for sure need to be careful, because his easy and constant affection and how comfortable I feel being around him is something I could get used to really fast.
CHAPTER 19
emma
Sitting in the Italian restaurant across from the salon a week later I nibble on my lip when Miranda’s eyes widen. “You’re kidding me,” she whisper-hisses across the table, holding her glass of wine to the side so she can lean closer to me.
“I’m not.” I sit back against my seat and shrug.
“You encouraged me to sleep with Tucker on our first date, and you’re telling me that you and Miles have been spending practically every day together for the last week, not counting the time before then and you still haven’t slept with him?”
“We’re taking things slow.” I take a sip of wine. The reality is that, even without sex, things don’t feel slow at all. Since our not-date date, I’ve spent almost every evening with Winter and him, the three of us falling into the same routine we had when everyone was out of town and I was helping him out. Only I don’t always pick Winter up from school unless I get off work early, and I don’t normally go home until well after Winter has gone to bed.
And normally, by the time I do leave their place, I’ve had at least one, sometimes two orgasms. Those given to me freely without Miles wanting anything in return.
Not that he doesn’t talk about how he can’t wait to be inside me or say other very dirty things while he gets me off. He just hasn’t pushed me to sleep with him, which might be the biggest turn-on ever.