Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“So thoughtful,” Willy agrees as her nails dig into my forearm.
I love the sharp bite it sends down my arm. I’m glad I’m wearing a suit and still have my jacket on, otherwise this boner would be pretty embarrassing.
We take our seats, and they bring out the first course, which is lobster bisque. Willy surprises me when she doesn’t say no to a refill of her champagne. Clearly, the impromptu proposal is a stressor.
Between courses, I stretch my arm across the back of her chair and give in to the urge to finger the ends of her hair. It’s soft and silky, and all I want to do is shove my face into it and smell her shampoo. I have to give it to her; she’s playing the role of the happy fiancée pretty damn convincingly from the waist up. But under the table, her nails are digging into my thigh. I doubt she’d keep doing it if she knew what it does to me.
Dinner is a lavish affair, and again I’m surprised by how easily Flip seems to be letting us whoop it up on his dime. Unless he’s going to pass me the bill at the end of the night.
Once the dishes from the second course have been cleared, Flip pushes his chair back and raises his glass, commanding the attention of the table. “While I don’t think most of us saw this coming so soon, your love for Hemi is written all over your face, Dallas. And Hemi, as much as you ride my ass—in a professional way—”
The table chuckles. Flip ducks his head and shakes it for a second before he gives us a wry grin. “Sorry. Trying to keep it classy. Hemi, you are such an integral part of this team. You keep us in line, you give us opportunities to give back to the community, and you make us a better team. Seeing you and Dallas together is inspiring. Separately you’re rockstars, but together you’ll be a powerhouse.” He holds up his glass. “To two of my favorite people finding once-in-a-lifetime love.”
“To love!” Everyone echoes the sentiment as glasses clink.
A chorus of “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” follows. Willy’s nails dig so hard into my leg, I wouldn’t be surprised to find crescent-shaped cuts to admire later.
I turn toward her as she faces me. Her throat bobs with what I interpret as a nervous, or possibly rage-filled, swallow. But her eyes hold another set of emotions. There’s indignation, but I swear, layered underneath that is a hint of anticipation. Or maybe that’s me projecting, especially since the next emotion I see is fear. I don’t know where it comes from, and I don’t know how to fix it.
I don’t want to force this on her, but I realize that by making her my fiancée, I’ve taken her autonomy. And a piece of her freedom. I’m relieved when she makes the first move, tipping her head, leaning in. Giving me permission.
I mirror the movement and stroke along the edge of her jaw with my thumb, trying to convey through tender touch that I know I’ve put her in a shitty situation. I’m still probably the last person she wants to kiss. But I swear I’ll find a way to make it up to her, beyond shielding her from Brooklyn and Sean’s vitriol.
Willy’s nails retract from my thigh, and her hand slides over my chest to curve around the back of my neck. Once again, I feel the bite of her nails in my skin. It’s a light press this time, a reminder that she can make me bleed if she wants, more than just physically.
My body is electric with anticipation. But we’re in a room full of our friends, and Willy believes what’s happening is all for show. But I still want it. I still want her.
We lean closer still, and when our lips have almost touched, Willy whispers, “Retribution is coming for you, babycakes.”
“I fucking hope so,” I reply. Her anger is better than her apathy.
I deserve whatever punishment she sees fit to dole out. Especially because I want this kiss to happen, regardless of the reason for it. Every single nerve in my body lights up like fireworks on Canada Day when her lips meet mine. A deluge of fantasies I’ve had about her over the past decade flood my mind at the soft, velvet press of her smart mouth.
I slide my fingers into her hair, sifting through those satin strands. If things were different, if this was real for her like it is for me, tonight we really would be celebrating—with her soft, curvy body under mine. She angles her head on the quietest, most boner-inducing whimper I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing.
Her lips part on a sweet gasp, and her tongue sweeps my mouth. Shocked and fucking ecstatic, I let my tongue slide against hers. Willy’s nails press harder into my skin, and I groan as those sharp bites make my cock swell further.