Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Sawyer used to drink like a fish in college,” Lucy said after a moment. “And he never had a problem. So while I think his drinking was a lot more serious this time, I also believe that he’s in control enough to know what he’s doing. Which is almost sadder than him being an addict.”
“This is fucking exhausting,” Boone muttered, moving toward the living room. “I’m here for him. I’m not complaining. It’s just draining to see him like this, knowing there’s nothing we can do. And I fucking hate feeling helpless.”
“Same.” Lucy sank onto the couch and leaned back.
I sat beside her, sliding an arm around her shoulders. I didn’t give a shit if Boone saw us together; he wouldn’t say anything.
“He won’t go to therapy, right?” Boone asked. “Or some kind of support group for widows and widowers?”
Lucy shook her head. “Nope. Won’t even discuss it. Said he doesn’t care about other people’s grief, that he can’t even deal with his own.”
“All we can do is continue to support him,” I said. “At some point, he has to want to start to live again. I do not know if he has hit rock bottom or not.”
We were all quiet for a few minutes.
“If you guys are good, I’m going to head out,” Boone said finally. “I was going to meet up with Rory and a few of the guys, maybe get a few beers.”
“Go.” Lucy waved a hand. “I’m fine. I’m going to start prepping the food for tomorrow, I guess.”
“I will stay,” I told her, since I had no intention of cutting our evening this short. “I can help.”
“Would you guys want to eat with us tomorrow?” she asked slowly, looking at me and then at Boone. “I think I might lose my mind if it’s just Sawyer and me sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s depressing enough on regular days, much less a holiday.”
“Of course.” I wrapped my hand around hers. “Whatever you need.”
“You sure you want an extra mouth to feed?” Boone asked dubiously.
“Are you kidding? I bought a sixteen-pound turkey. We’re going to have leftovers for days. And honestly, I need as many distractions as possible because watching Sawyer give up on life is killing me.”
“Then I’ll be here,” Boone said softly. “Just tell me what time.”
“Any time after two. We’ll probably have football on and eat around four.”
“See you then.”
I didn’t know what to say once Boone left. Our evening had been interrupted and there was no doubt Lucy was struggling with Sawyer’s situation.
“What can I do?” I whispered, nuzzling her neck.
She leaned into me, her eyes searching mine. “Kiss me?”
“Yes. I can do this.”
I cupped the back of her neck with my hand and pulled her to me. Her lips yielded to mine like they were made for me. I gently pushed my tongue between them and began to stroke in and out. She tasted amazing, like sugar and honey and sex. Her fingers curled into my shirt, drawing me even closer, and she moaned as I deepened the kiss. She all but melted into my chest and I stroked my hands down the curvy globes of her ass, squeezing hard enough to make her moan again. They were a perfect handful, and I imagined slapping them while taking her from behind.
This time I was the one who groaned.
I sank onto the couch and tugged her down so she was on my lap, straddling me. I was already sporting the boner of the decade, my dick throbbing painfully as she ground her crotch into mine. I slid my hands through her thick, silky hair.
“You’re beautiful, Lucy.”
“Th-thanks.” Her voice was a breathy whisper, her eyes glassy and half-closed.
I kissed her again, probably a little more roughly than I intended, but I was dying inside. It had been a long time since I’d wanted someone this much. Our tongues were hot, doing a sexy dance that had me close to embarrassing myself. She wanted me too, I could feel it, but I also didn’t want to rush things. It somehow felt important to take my time with her. Lucy was not a woman whose feelings you toyed with.
My lips trailed across her cheek to the soft spot behind her ear. I nibbled there and then gently nipped at the skin, following it up with strokes of my tongue. She shivered beneath me, and I realized we were going to get carried away if I didn’t stop this. I wanted her, but not like this, and definitely not where Sawyer could potentially walk in on us. I hated feeling like a teenager, sneaking around so my date’s parents wouldn’t catch us. We didn’t have much choice tonight, so I regretfully pulled away.
“Sweetheart…” My voice cracked a little as I tried to tamp down the lust coursing through my veins. “I want you. Very much. But not here. Not now.”