Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“You made it better.” Her eyes were wide, like she was shocked or something.
I tilted my head, trying to understand where she was going with this. “You’re gonna have to explain that one, girl.”
She shook her head, as if trying to snap out of whatever mindset she was in. “I-I mean, you weren’t trying to hurt me or to touch me because you wanted to. You saw a strand of hair caught on my eyelashes and tried to make it better.”
I frowned at her. “Girl? You all right?”
“What?” She gave me a confused look. “Yes! Yes. I’m fine. Look. I know I’m not acting right. I think it’s a defense mechanism or something. I start saying what I’m thinking and my thought processes are kinda unusual sometimes.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “It all just gets jumbled because it all wants out at the same time or something. I promise I’m not daft. Just socially stunted. When I get nervous, that’s what comes out.”
“Honey, if you’re that nervous about this, don’t fuckin’ do it. This thing ain’t worth stressin’ over.”
“Yes. It is.” She fluffed her hair and brushed the sand off her legs and hip where she’d sat on the sand-coated sidewalk.
“I don’t know what the payout is, but it couldn’t possibly be worth it.”
“Every little bit helps.” She winced but continued to brush the sand from her body in brisk motions. I’m ashamed to admit I imagined, ever so briefly, it was me brushing sand from her skin. I could practically feel what I was sure would be silky soft skin.
“How about let’s get you dressed, so I can get you outta here. I think you’ve had enough for today.” Could I sound any more like her father? Or a creeper?
“No! Wait!” She gave me a frantic look. “I have to get back on stage! I have to try!”
“Girl, do you honestly think you’re gonna win after you took off like that? Besides I’m not going to hurt you. Just get you someplace less chaotic, so you can take a deep breath.” The second I spoke I knew I’d fucked all the way up. You know. The first part. Not the last. Poor thing probably didn’t even register the second part. Because I was a giant dick who’d just insulted her.
“No. I don’t think I’m going to win. But if I’m not up there, I have exactly zero chance instead of a one percent chance of winning.” With one more swipe at her mouth with the back of her hand, she stalked back toward the stage.
“Girl! Girl!” Of course, she didn’t stop and there was no way to keep from zeroing in on her ass. Which was… a thing of fucking beauty. How the hell had I missed such a beautiful, heart-shaped ass? The heels she wore flexed her calves and made the muscles in her legs play beneath her skin with every step.
The noise of the crowd was still loud and boisterous, the announcer cheerfully calling out names and various personal information about each contestant. I have no idea how anyone could hear anything over the crowd, but I don’t think anyone really cared anyway. They were all about the near-naked women dancing across the stage, all vying for attention.
I knew I needed to let Lemon know her idea to get me laid went to shit, but I had bigger problems. Because when I looked at the stage all I could see was that same heart-shaped ass and those big hazel eyes. She wasn’t as graceful as most of the women, nor as confident. Hell, she looked downright awkward, but she definitely had my attention. There was no way to even think about looking at another woman on that fucking stage.
I moved back to the judges’ table where my co-judge was now back in his chair. Blood dripped steadily from his face but the bastard was still trying to grope the women on stage as they passed by.
“Why do some motherfuckers never fuckin’ learn?” I muttered to myself. Stalking toward him, I clenched my fists. There was no way I’d get away clean twice so I was fully prepared to land my ass in jail when I reached his sorry ass because I was about to give him the beatdown of his motherfucking life.
He turned his head and his eyes widened when his gaze landed on me. The high-pitched squeal that came from the guy as he shoved up from the table and stumbled backward was a beautiful sound.
“Stay away from me! Stay away from me!” he yelled as he continued to try to keep distance between us. I had every intention of following him and continuing the beating but someone grasped my shoulder and shoved me back into my chair.
“You gotta pick the winner.” Jimmy, the guy in charge of the whole mess gave me a frantic look. “Where’d the other judge go?”