Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 88895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
The instant Cap spots Joey, he springs to his feet on a grumbled, “Okonchatel’no.”
“Don’t say finally,” she lovingly sasses while making her way around the barricade. “I wasn’t gone that long.”
“Da.” The grin he cocks is almost boyish. “Navsegda.”
“Forever. Really?” Her girly giggles ignite my own. “You sound like our little printsessa…”
Cap’s giant frame blocks me from Tanner’s vision but doesn’t shield me from the brunette thirst trap trying to weasel her way into his space. “You should have someone to kiss at midnight, dontcha think?”
He casually leans towards her, light tan sweater covered forearms resting on his light gray pants. “I agree.”
Dread darts down to my stomach like a pissed off ref dropping the puck.
“And I do have someone.”
Relief wins the faceoff.
“I simply have to wait until I arrive home to receive my midnight kiss post-midnight.”
“Or…” sliding slightly over to be seen summons his stare, “maybe you don’t.”
Tanner’s jaw instantly drops in tandem with his whole body damn near melting to his knees.
“Surprise!” Joey gleefully interjects at the same time she curls into Cap’s hold. “Your Slayer has arrived.”
Alarm should overwhelm his expression.
Worry.
Dismay.
Something…anything…in that category should be free skating, yet all that can be seen is gratitude.
Pure.
Unadulterated.
Gratitude.
Tanner shifts his stare over to Cap who merely extends his balled fist and grunts, “Ferda.”
Respect swiftly joins the graciousness as he taps back. “Ferda.”
Guess Joey is just like Cap.
Always willing to do what’s best for the boys, no matter the cost.
Without another glance to the displeased groupie, Tanner slides past the Alexeyevs to properly greet me.
His brewskie free hand winds around the nape of my neck.
Yanks me forward so that our open mouths can collide.
Rolls his tongue around and around and around until I can’t determine if the buzz, I’m starting to get is from him or the booze.
Then – and only then – does he pull back and gently rest his forehead against mine, “You’re such a fucking beauty in my number, Ducky.”
“You were such a fucking beauty in the barn tonight, Hamster Boy.” I give the edge of his sweater a small tug. “Totally earned those stats.”
“I appreciate that.” He delivers a loving stroke with his thumb. “And I appreciate even more that you put a bloody ribbon in your hair for me.”
“This is so goddamn girly.” Giggles are accompanied by me leaning backwards to point at the foreign object. “This shit had me thinking twice about being a Slayer.”
“Seriously?” Chortles shake his entire frame. “A hair accessory is all it takes for you to reconsider our relationship?”
“A sparkly hair accessory,” I sassily correct and snake his brew into my possession. “It’s a sacrifice that’s almost too big to make.”
“Noted for future contract negotiations.” Additional laughter leaves us both prior to me having a sip of his beverage. “Want me to grab you something from the bar?”
“Nah…” Another gulp is taken. “Yours’ll do.”
“Of course it will,” leaves him in a chuckle form. “Want to dance with me while we wait for the countdown?”
“Think we could get the DJ to play Shakira?”
“You mean the woman I got you concert tickets for as birthday gift?” Tanner slips his fingers between mine. “Likely.”
“You got me concert tickets to see Shakira?!”
“In Doctenn.” he informs during his leading us away from the roped section.
“In another fucking country?!”
“Post-season.” Tanner tugs me a bit closer. “I thought we could turn it into a romantic getaway.” Our eyes briefly meet, allowing him to see the depth of awe pumping through me. “I could show you where I often spent my summers. Where my father grew up. Introduce you to gran – the spry old beaut that she is. And of course, take you to the pub that has the best pepperoncini wings on the entire planet.”
“That shouldn’t even be a wing flavor.”
“Proof you’ve never had them.”
Giggling on another sip is all that I’m capable of.
“I would have waited to show you all the booking information until tomorrow – your actual birthday – but you just had to go and bring her up today.”
It’s impossible not to let my head fall back on another giggle, “Oh, okay. So, this is my fault.”
“Clearly.” More mirth meanders through his expression. “You’re the one who can’t go twenty-four hours without mentioning the bloody broadskie.”
“Says the bro who is probably single handedly responsible for keeping Sean Connery’s memory alive.”
“He was fucking brilliant in everything!”
We warmly laugh and scoot in tighter together while working our way to the opposite side of the room where the DJ – that Joey apparently hired on behalf of the team – is open to suggestions from those footing the bill.
Once our Shakira request is in, Tanner and I fade into the crowd just enough to hide from the paparazzi amount of photos the Slayers and random other party guests are taking of the event.
My brewskie free hand drapes around his neck while I let my hips rock to the rhythm with his.