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)
She turned over her shoulder, a blush staining her cheeks. “He is a reformed recluse. And if you really want to know, I’ll tell you. Maybe it’ll help you with Torey.”
“Nope. No thanks. Not in a million fucking years.” I grabbed my jacket and followed Nix down the stairs and out of the farmhouse, but ultimately I decided that the suit would be more effective if I lost the jacket and rolled up the sleeves.
“Very nice, big brother. Good luck.” Nix hugged me tight and kissed my cheek as we entered the community center. “Holler if you need me.”
“Right,” I mumbled to myself and scanned the room in search of Torey. She hadn’t arrived yet and the event started in five minutes.
“Looking for someone?” Torey’s voice washed over me like warm honey.
My jaw clenched and I slowly turned to face her, which was a mistake because she looked like my every fantasy come to life. The sparkly dress she wore showed off all the curves she usually hid behind jeans and t-shirts. Her cleavage nearly spilled over the heart-shaped neckline, and her legs looked long and shapely in the knee-length dress, accentuated by a pair of sky-high red heels. Even her smile was painted bright red. “Torey, holy shit.”
“I clean up nice, right?” She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Now, let’s see if we can win this.” She took two steps forward before my arm reached out to grab her.
“Torey.”
She shook her head. “Not here and not now. Let’s win this for charity and then maybe we’ll talk.”
I nodded. She was right and I knew if I pushed she’d shut down completely. “Yeah, okay. How about we go back to the teasing sort of friends we were before you rocked my world?”
Her smile was soft but it grew bigger and bolder by the second and a red blush bloomed on her cheeks. “That sounds like a plan.” She held out her hand and I took it eagerly. Hungrily.
“You look good enough to eat.” My words caused her to stumble and I happily held her close.
“You’ve never said anything like that to me before.”
A deep chuckle sounded as I helped her onto the platform where each couple’s bar was set up. “Haven’t you heard, Torey? Friendships evolve.”
“Smartass,” she grumbled and gripped my hand as we joined the rest of the couples along with the event host, Sheriff Cook. “Hello beautiful couples. Are we ready to get this town sloshed?” She was so effortlessly easy and I envied that.
I wished I was still entitled to that smile. Sheriff Cook slid beside me and bumped my shoulder. “How in the hell did you get roped into this?”
I laughed and shook my head. “How in the hell did you get out of it?”
“I volunteered to do this event. They were so happy to have me on board that by the time they realized what I’d done, it was too late.” He chuckled like the evil mastermind he was.
“It’s a good thing you’re one of the good guys.”
“At least when it comes to keeping the town safe,” he agreed with a wide grin. “Okay couples, get to your bars and start brainstorming. You have ten minutes before we begin.”
Torey and I were placed almost dead center of the platform which allowed an amazing view of the community center and therefore the entire town. It almost felt deliberate. “This is weird, right?”
“I’m glad you see it too. For a second I thought I might’ve been going a little nuts.”
“Hmm,” she hummed to herself before she turned to me. “Doesn’t matter right now. Let’s start cocktailing.” She offered another one of her brilliant smiles and instantly my shoulders relaxed.
“We’ll be okay,” I promised and brought the back of her hand up to my lips. “I promise.”
She rolled her eyes but I didn’t miss another flush of pink that stole up her chest and neck before it settled onto her cheeks. “Now we have to figure out what we’re going to do.”
“I actually have a few ideas.” It was my time to shine.
“You know how to make cocktails?”
I pushed my up sleeves and smiled with pride at the way her gaze lingered on my forearms. “I’m a quick study and since my morning was unexpectedly free, I put it to good use.” I grabbed a few bottles and mixed up four different cocktails for her to test.
The moan she let out after the third drink was absolutely erotic and I felt my stomach tighten and my cock swell. “Holy hell Ryan, that is divine!” Her eyes sparkled. “What is it?”
“It’s called Lover’s Delight.”
Torey’s nostrils flared, and she licked her lips. “I love it, Ryan. I really love it.”
Yeah, more of that masculine pride swelled in my chest. “Taste the last one before you decide.”
She lifted the glass to her lips and closed her eyes as the cold liquid hit her tongue. Another low moan escaped. “What is this magic?”