Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
“Damn, she was not playing around.” I take a look at the smoke detector hanging by two wires. A couple of cuts, some wire nuts, and it should turn off. Not sure what she’ll need to have done afterwards, but I want Jagger to come over to do a trace of the wire. This kind of shit happens in flip houses or people trying to cut corners. The last thing I want is Lennon in a house that can go up in flames.
I step down, grab my cutters and the nuts. A few minutes later, everything is buttoned up. I’d prefer to turn the breaker off until the problem is fully resolved, but who the hell knows what that’ll be attached to?
“Wow, that didn’t take long.” I look down at Lennon. She’s got a hip propped on the now open door and her legs crossed at the ankle. That isn’t what’s got my attention; it’s her tits. She’s got her arms tucked beneath them, and they’re doing nothing to conceal how much of a handful they’ll be in my hands.
“Nah, not too bad.” I twist the last of the wires together and keep them out of the way. No way am I pushing them into the attic space.
“Perfect timing. Dinner is ready. Did you maybe want to stay and eat with me?” She drags her eyes away from mine. I don’t answer fast enough. She tacks on, “Or I can pack it in a to-go container for you.”
“I’m staying, Lennon.”
“Oh, you don’t have to. I know how busy men can be. My ex-husband barely ate with me the last six months of me living with him. He was always busy, and my sister was already out of the house living on her own. I’d sometimes have her over, or she’d invite me to her place.” I watch her body language as she purges everything. “As bad as it sounds, I’ve gotten used to eating alone. So, please don’t feel obligated to stay.” She takes a deep breath, head tipping back, and stares at the ceiling. “I’m not sure why I just told you all that. God, that sounds even worse coming out of my mouth than playing it through my head.”
I’m off the step stool, drop my tools in the bag, and move toward her. My arms wrap around her body, pulling her into the comfort of my arms while she continues to let more out. I rub up and down her back, and she fists the sides of my shirt, burrowing into my chest, and says, “My therapist is going to have a field day during our next session. Of course, the one time I let my guard down, it’s to the hot neighbor. I’m probably blowing this. Momma Catherine will for sure tell me I’m still amazing. Same goes for Poppa Russell. But me, it’ll take me some time to lick my wounds before I can talk to you face to face again.” Lennon ends her outburst on a long sigh. She’s not crying, or at least not enough to soak my shirt. I find it kind of cute the way she rambled on and on, even talking about being unable to look me in the eye. I’ll prove her wrong.
“Lennon, gorgeous, look at me.” I’m trying to get her attention. She shakes her head and sinks into me even more. I do the next best thing, sliding my hand up her spine until I meet the back of her neck. Her thick raven hair is hanging loosely, no longer tied up in a ponytail, and I use it to pull her face upward until her warm chocolate eyes are locked on mine. “Anytime you want company for dinner, I’m here. Might be late some nights, might be at your place, might be at mine. Might not be able to happen at all. But if I’m not at the station or on a call, I’ll be pleased as fuck to share a meal with you.”
“Asher.” Her eyes shutter. My hand tightens its hold in her hair, testing the limits to see what she likes. When her soft breath flutters, there’s no more holding back. It’s fucking impossible. She trusted me with her truth, a clear vulnerability, and now she’s worried I’ll judge her.
“Hush. Gonna kiss you now. Let you know my intentions plain as day. One look, gorgeous, one fucking look. Saw you hugging a guy, figured my luck was shit. Then Russell tells me you’re here on your own, and I let every damn thought of you run wild. I see you’ve got some lingering doubts from that dickhole who was your husband. Lennon, we all got shit in our past. You work though that with your therapist and with me. Sound good?”
She nods. That’s not enough for me. “Need the words, Lennon.”