Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“We’ll figure it out, Ava.”
“Yeah, we will.”
I have excellent intuition, and right now it’s telling me that the message I received has something to do with all the papers Brendan found in his place. And maybe with other stuff too. Brock has been preoccupied lately. Something’s going on with him, and I know it’s not personal, because he’s very happy with Rory. Which means it has something to do with the Steel family.
I finish my ice cream, and then I take both of our empty bowls from the table and put them in the sink.
I turn around and—
“Oh!”
Brendan is standing right behind me, and when I turn, only inches separate us.
My body heats, and my nipples tighten.
Sizzles shoot through me.
“Ava…” His voice is low and raspy.
“Yes?”
“I like you a lot, and I don’t want to fuck this up.”
I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I’m not sure what to say to that.
“And I’d really like to see you again.”
I nod this time, and I open my mouth, hoping my voice won’t crack. “I’d like that. To see you again, I mean.”
“Maybe we can figure out this puzzle between the two of us.”
I keep myself from frowning. Is that what he means? We’re to see each other again just to figure out what’s going on? Or is he talking about the puzzle of our budding connection in light of our age difference? Or both?
“Oh. Sure.”
“So…tomorrow night?”
“Sure. We can get together…to work on the puzzle.”
He smiles and then trails a finger over one of my cheeks. “That’s fine, but it’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?” I’m trying to sound coy but failing miserably.
I’ve never been the flirtatious type. No wonder. I suck at it.
“I mean I thought we could go out again.”
“Okay.” I cock my head and smile, attempting to be coy again. Then, realizing I must look like a moron, I realign my neck and meet his gaze. “Tomorrow’s Saturday, and the bakery’s open until seven on Saturdays.”
“So it’s a date, then.”
“Okay. And we’re closed on Sundays.”
Why did I just say that? He’s going to think I’m inviting him into my bed tomorrow night.
Which is not a bad idea.
My God, that card was right on target.
The knight of freaking cups.
I so want to get swept away in this man.
“We could go to Grand Junction,” Brendan says. “Try a new place there.”
“Why don’t I make you dinner here?” I say.
Did those words just come out of my mouth?
I’m a good cook, and I love to do it. But my God…
He smiles, pushing my hair behind my ear. “I’d like that.”
“What kind of food do you like?”
“Any kind.”
“Okay. Liver and brains it is.” I can’t help an impish grin.
“Honestly, I’ll eat anything you make for me. It’s the company I’m after, not the food.”
My cheeks warm. I must be red as a candy apple.
“My God.” He pushes my hair behind my ear on the other side. “You’re so beautiful.”
My lips part.
Beautiful?
I’m not beautiful. Gina is beautiful. She looks just like my dad with dark hair and light-brown eyes. My mother is beautiful. Diana and Brianna are beautiful.
I’m just Ava.
And I’m okay with that.
“I’m not,” I can’t help saying.
“But you are. Those high cheekbones, full pink lips. And that lip ring is sexy as fuck.”
I shudder. I don’t even try to suppress it.
“And your hair… It works for you. Makes you look so unique, striking. Mysterious, even.”
This time my jaw drops.
“You look surprised.”
“I know I’m not horrible-looking,” I say. “But as far as the Steel women go, I’m pretty average.”
“Only in your own eyes, baby.” This time he trails his finger over first my lower lip, bypassing the lip ring, and then my upper.
My nipples are so hard.
So freaking hard.
How long has it been since I’ve had a man’s lips on them? Years. Not since college.
I’ve had a few dates now and then, but none of them ever went anywhere. I don’t fall into bed with just anyone, especially not after my first time was so lackluster.
“You…” I say.
“What?”
“You’re beautiful too.”
He smiles. “First time anyone’s ever called me that.”
“Oh, but you are.” My fingers itch to touch his face, scrape against his stubble, but I keep my arms pinned to my sides. “So handsome, in a nontraditional way. And one of the only guys I know—other than Jesse Pike and my cousin Dale—who can pull off such long hair.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Ava.”
“It’s not a compliment. It’s the truth.”
“Then you need to accept that what I’ve told you is the truth as well,” he says. “You are beautiful. In my eyes? You’re the most beautiful of all the Steel women.”
I can’t help myself then.
I stand on my tiptoes, wrap my arms around his neck, and pull him down to me, our lips meeting.
CHAPTER TWELVE
BRENDAN
I try to keep the kiss gentle. I truly do try.