Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
That was the second or third time that he mentioned finding me attractive and as much as I wanted to believe it, I was still hesitant.
Ryan started the truck and took off. We were both silent for the first mile or two. I imagined both of us were trying to figure out how to navigate this evening, but then he reached out and took my hand in his, and I just knew that everything would be all right. “Are you okay with everything?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I mean, I feel bad about your leave. I know it’s just a limited time and now you have to spend the week doing this, which really helps me more than you.”
“No more apologizing, okay?” He gave my hand a quick squeeze. “We’re in this together, Tor.”
His words allowed me to relax and I squeezed his hand in return. “Okay. Good. Great. Thanks.”
His deep laughter echoed inside the truck. “Perfect.”
As the ride went on, I felt myself growing giddy about spending an entire evening with Ryan. When the car slid into a parking spot, the sound of country music blared from the building. My eyes grew wide and I turned in the passenger seat, placing both hands on his thigh. His really big, really muscular thigh. “We’re going dancing?”
“We are. I figured we can have some fun, get to know each other while covering two topics for the week, dancing and music.”
All I thought about was having myself pressed against him while he spun me around the dance floor, his heady scent mixed with mine until I was dizzy.
“But first, dinner.” His smile was incredible and I felt my heart as it raced inside my chest. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I really want to be all dainty and say no, but the truth is that I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since I inhaled the scent of your sandwich earlier today.”
He laughed and helped me from the truck. “Then I’ll make sure to feed you extra.”
“Not unless you want me to burst out of these pants.” I slapped a hand over my mouth. “Why did I say that?”
“Hey, calm down, Torey. Relax, it’s just me.”
Just him. “I’m nervous and I don’t know why.”
“Because this is weird. It just is. But we have each other,” he said and took my hand in his. “So we’ll be fine.”
We were led to our table right away and I immediately ordered a drink, which came quickly. “We’ll be fine,” I insisted with more confidence than I felt.
I decided to just dive right in. “So Ryan, why did you choose the Army?”
He blinked. “You mean why did I enlist?”
I shook my head. “No, you were always protective and fit. I figured you might end up in law enforcement but this fits. I’m just curious why the Army instead of another branch.” I frowned. “Is that a weird question to ask?”
“No, actually. It’s just nobody’s ever asked that before.” He sipped his lemonade and sighed. “I chose the Army because I always wanted to be Special Forces.”
“Wow, even back then at eighteen you knew?”
He nodded.
“That’s incredible, Ryan. And you achieved it. Congratulations!” I raised my glass to him. “So what’s next, like a four-star general, or something?”
His laughter was deep and rich. “Who knows?” He put his glass down and stared at me until my nipples hardened. “So, you dated Lancaster?”
“No. I became friends with him. We kissed but there was no spark but we really like each other so now we’re friends. It’s weird but somehow not as weird as dating my best friend’s brother.”
“Is it that weird?”
I shrugged. “Yes, no… I don’t know. Maybe?”
“Wow,” he chuckled. “That’s crystal clear, Tor.”
“Shush.” We laughed and talked throughout the delicious meal—steak for me and a burger for him—as we got to know each other. “Are we ready to burn off some of these calories?”
“I don’t know about burning off calories, but I hope you can two-step because I haven’t been line dancing in ten years.”
“No pressure, right?”
“Wrong,” he whispered as we made our way back to the car. “So much pressure. I’m expecting cowgirl level line dancing from my girlfriend.” His gaze flicked down to the floorboards before he put the car in gear. “Will you be able to dance in those?”
I arched a brow at him. “Just you wait, smart ass.” The minute we arrived at the dance hall, I tugged him onto the dance floor and we tore up the aged wood until we were sweaty and laughing. “How’s that for dancing in these shoes?”
Ryan leaned in close and wrapped an arm around me as a slower song began. “Watching your hips sway in those things was incredible.” His brows wiggled and his eyes danced beautifully.
“You are such a charmer. Who knew?”
He leaned in close, so close I was sure he was going to kiss me and then he didn’t. “I knew and now you know too,” he whispered in my ear.