Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
His voice is gruff and without seeing his expression, I can’t tell if he thinks this was a mistake.
When he smooths my panties in place, I put my hand under his chin and force him to look at me. “Are you okay?”
And then he smiles and it’s so beautiful, it takes my breath away. “I’m fucking fantastic. I mean… my dick aches because I really want to fuck you, but I’m quite satisfied with how that played out.”
“But… I want you to fuck me too.”
Rafferty stands, letting the material of my dress shimmy back down my legs. His hands go to my hips, his eyes boring into mine as he listens.
“I mean… I want you to have a happy ending too.” I bring my hand to his crotch, feel his erection is still quite thick behind the length of his zipper. “You need a happy ending.”
He circles my wrist, pulling my hand away. “That’s not helping matters.”
“It could if you let me.”
“I will,” he says. “Just not here.”
“When?” I ask.
Rafferty puts his hands to my face, kisses me gently. “We’ll figure it out. But for now, let’s get back to the reception, okay?”
Something doesn’t feel right about this. Ordinarily, I’d say it feels like I just gave up my virginity to a guy and he’s getting ready to blow me off, but that can’t be it. Rafferty got nothing out of that experience. At least not the way I did.
Rafferty takes my hand, leads me to the door, but as he reaches for the lock, I give a little tug. “What if Tansy’s out there?”
“I’m going to tell her to mind her own fucking business,” he growls, but then his hand drops away from the handle. He turns to me. “You know what just happened… it has nothing to do with that woman, right?”
I nod. I do understand that.
But I also understand the reason he’s in this predicament is that he had a one-night stand, which is all he wanted.
As such, I can’t really expect anything more from this man.
I’m not sure why that thought hurts a little, but it does.
CHAPTER 12
Rafferty
The hum of the plane melds with the muffled noises of my teammates settling in, their laughter and chatter a backdrop to my own thoughts as we fly southward. I recline in my seat, headphones draped around my neck—not for music, but as a barrier, a sign I’m not quite in the mood to talk. Yet, the music stays off. I need time to think, to brood.
Outside, the sky stretches—a vast canvas of bright blues and fluffy white clouds. We’re Florida bound, a quick there-and-back that feels much like my current personal life: fast, furious, and somewhat forced.
I don’t know how things have become so confusing but last night at Stone and Harlow’s party, everything changed. Or rather, what I did to Tempe in the bathroom changed everything for me.
She’s been nothing but supportive, sliding seamlessly into a role we crafted. She’s been perfect as my fake girlfriend, dazzling in her sincerity and warmth, and it should have been enough to convince anyone that we were a match made in heaven.
Except it’s not fake anymore. At least not for me. I can’t drop to my knees and worship a woman’s pussy, getting as much satisfaction from her orgasm as any I’ve had myself, and not think that shit just got very real.
I have no clue what Tempe is feeling and I’m sure she’s probably confused about it because once we walked out of that bathroom, I put some distance between us. Not anything cruel or thoughtless, but I needed to tread carefully with her. I need her to know that she’s not like anyone I’ve ever been with and I want this to be authentic. I need to know if we can both leave the ruse behind, but there was no time to talk about it. We spent the rest of the evening drinking, dancing and eating good food. Tempe got on so seamlessly with my friends and ended up meeting more teammates throughout the evening. At one point, I even introduced her to Brienne and Drake, and the best part of that was I’m confident Tansy hasn’t said anything to her cousin as Brienne couldn’t have been warmer or more gracious to Tempe.
I dropped her off at her mother’s house, walking her to the door. I gave her a lingering kiss and an even longer hug, keeping her wrapped up tight to convey my genuine affection. But so many things were left unsaid and now I’m flying south, away from her and the ability for us to have a meaningful conversation. I’m hoping that will happen tomorrow after I return.
And then… there’s Tansy. Her actions have been sharp and calculating, and I don’t think I’ve seen the worst she has to offer yet. There has been a constant prick at the back of my mind that she’s moved from fixation to possibly retribution. It’s not me I’m worried about though. My concern is Tempe and if Tansy might do something to hurt her and I have good reason for my worry. I got a text late last night after I dropped Tempe off and was in my own bed. My phone dinged and I’d hoped it might be from Tempe, but instead, it was from Tansy. Its simplicity was more chilling than anything she’s said or done so far.