Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“That was all on me. I didn’t think about camera phones catching us leaving. Those are weird to me…” he said, then began chugging the drink.
His comment left me with more questions than answers. “The new phone I got you has a camera. If only you’d use it,” I said dryly. Speaking of dry, so was my throat.
I didn’t know what was so funny, but he’d just taken a sip, and his body pitched forward. I couldn’t tell if the droplets flying everywhere were from his mouth or the bottle he quickly jerked away. Without missing a beat, I tossed the hand towel on the cabinet to the floor. Amelia’s stern expressions, and years of training, reminded me that even a small spill could lead to chaos throughout the house.
“Why did you waste your money? My phone’s fine.”
“Your phone’s based on minutes and it’s six years old. They’ve stopped updating your operating system. I’d love to text you during the day…” I said, echoing the reasoning I gave at least three times a week since I bought the silly phone.
My oh-so-frustrating guy shut me down like it was his favorite pastime. “We’re not havin’ this conversation again. If we yap all day, what do we talk about at dinner? We’d already know everything the other did for the day.” His index finger and thumb went to the crease above his nose, telling me what a challenge I was to him. I’d show him a challenge… Just when I was ready to blast an argument, his hand did a slither movement from the top of his face to the bottom until it popped out at me, insinuating he was tired of the many times we had this conversation. That I was the problematic one, not him. As I opened my mouth to unleash the demons of my hangover, he raised said hand to silence me. Only the intensity of my love sealed my lips.
“As I was sayin’…” Beau shot me a look that could curdle milk, daring me to interrupt him. I rolled my eyes and clutched the coffee cup like a lifeline to better days. “Your buddies snapped a picture of me carryin’ you out. Got a call this mornin’ and used your phone to receive it.” The hydration drink was back at his lips as he sucked it down until the bottle was empty.
A million questions popped into my head as I tried to piece the puzzle together. “You’re going to have to tell me more. I don’t remember what happened. You carried me out of the club? How?”
“Tossed you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes. For the record, potatoes are easier to carry than you are,” Beau said, discarding the plastic bottle on the counter and crossing his arms over his chest.
I nodded, already questioning the consequences of my actions. How was I ever going to be taken seriously again? I moved to stand in front of Beau where he leaned against the edge of the granite island countertop.
“Well, that was after you made me fuck you like I hated you…”
My heart skipped a stuttering beat. No. Please no. “You did that at the party?” Oh holy hell, I already knew the answer. Heat built over my body at lightning speed. Warmth crept into my cheeks. My breath shifted to shallow puffs. If anyone saw me in such a compromising position, my reputation would be ruined. I was sure to have a permanent code of conduct disciplinary action on my school record. Pain spiked through my headache to what I assumed was an unhealthy level.
“Yup.” Beau reached for the second bottle of Powerade. “I didn’t realize you were that drunk when we started. You passed out probably in the middle. I guess that’s about the time I started holding you up. It’s sketchy. I had too much to drink.”
“Explains my sore ass,” I murmured, willing myself to remember any of it. “Did anyone see us?”
“Not that I’m aware. You found an alcove. Curtains closed us in.” The pause felt designed to let that claim settle over me before he continued. “Alexis has claimed a spot as my new best friend. She called this mornin’ to let me know they caught evidence of me sneakin’ us out. She wanted me to tell you. And she taught me to twerk. I was solid. She kept slappin’ my ass. But that’s not all.”
Oh holy hell, not more. My brows furrowed. I had to brace my nerves. They couldn’t take much more. A key to my success was a constant representation of being a gentleman and a professional. Dammit. I blamed my family for last night’s transgressions too.
“Scott and Lauren and their baby are makin’ a pit stop in Dallas on their way home from a family reunion. They’re swingin’ by so we can meet the baby. They want to crash here for the night and leave tomorrow mornin’.”