Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 111086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 555(@200wpm)___ 444(@250wpm)___ 370(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 555(@200wpm)___ 444(@250wpm)___ 370(@300wpm)
“It’s late,” Everett said. “I should go to bed so Nash can get some rest.”
“Maybe tomorrow night we can convince him to join us,” I said, though I knew that likely wouldn’t happen. While Everett had settled in and warmed up to my family pretty quickly, Nash was doing his best to keep his distance.
Not an easy task, considering his job.
The past few nights that Everett had spent having dinner with my family and then sitting with us afterward while we chatted or played a game, Nash had stayed outside to do his perimeter checks, despite repeated offers to have him at least wait inside if he didn’t want to sit with us. I wasn’t sure if it was me he was avoiding, or Everett. Admittedly, I’d pushed him too hard that first day when I’d been showing him around the house, but every time I’d approached him to try and apologize, he’d made excuses to escape me. I’d never seen anyone wrapped as tight as him, and I couldn’t help but wonder when he’d blow.
Everett let out a chuckle and said, “I think you have a better chance of getting Grumps here,” – Everett motioned to Zeus with his chin – “to move more than five feet at a time.”
I smiled at that. It was true. I had one of the laziest big-ass dogs in the world.
“Good night, Gage,” Everett said as he reached for Fat Cat. As soon as he tried to lift the chunky tabby, the animal latched onto Everett’s pants with its claws. Fortunately, he wasn’t digging into Everett’s skin because Everett just laughed and shook his head.
“Hang on,” I said as I scooted closer so I could carefully work the sharp claws free of the dress pants Everett was wearing. Although the man wore jeans while he was working in the garden, he tended to dress up a bit more for dinner.
Not that I was complaining.
The man looked damn good in them and I’d had to remind myself not to ogle his ass on more than one occasion.
It took just a few seconds to work Fat Cat’s nails free of the delicate material. The animal sent me an irritated look and then jumped off Everett’s lap and went to plop down against Zeus’s side. As I began to straighten, I looked up at Everett and felt my insides jolt when I saw him staring at me. His face was flushed and his lips were parted.
And I quickly realized why.
Because at some point after I’d gotten Fat Cat off, I’d rested my hand on his upper thigh. It was literally just inches from his damn groin.
I should have removed my hand and apologized – turned it into a joke or something.
But I couldn’t.
I didn’t want to.
Not with Everett looking at me like he was.
I’d told myself I wouldn’t do this, but I was powerless to keep the promise to myself. I didn’t see a man who’d once been one of the most powerful leaders in the entire world. I didn’t see a man who’d suffered a loss that had left its mark on him. And I didn’t see a man trying to figure out how to be the father his son needed him to be. All I saw was a gorgeous, generous, kindhearted, not-yet-completely-broken man who wanted what I did in that moment.
So I gave it to him.
I moved slow enough that Everett had the chance to stop me if he wanted. My hand was still on his thigh as I inched my mouth closer to his. He was frozen in place and I could hear him breathing hard. It was enough to have me reconsidering what I was about to do. What if he didn’t want this? What if I was reading him wrong?
“Everett—”
“Don’t stop,” Everett whispered, his voice shaky. “God, Gage, please don’t stop.”
Despite his plea, he didn’t move. My eyes held his for a moment and then I sealed my mouth over his.
The kiss was simple – just my mouth brushing his and nothing more.
But the impact was devastating.
In the best way.
I was sure that the sensations and emotions tearing through me all at once weren’t possible after such brief contact, so I kissed him again.
And again.
Every time was like a punch to the gut.
Everett didn’t kiss me back, but he didn’t pull away either, so I kept going, mainly because I was too selfish to give up what I was feeling just yet. Despite my intense desire to deepen the kiss, I was content to keep it light, especially since Everett was frozen in place. After a few more passes, I drew back and opened my mouth to tell him that it was okay if he wanted to stop. But before I could even say anything, Everett lurched forward and covered my mouth with his. His hands came up to cradle my face.