Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“She isn’t. She’s proud of me, but it’s my dad who tells me to be aggressive out there,” I admitted, and Elyse smiled. “Can I start that kiss in my car?” She nodded and I leaned in to brush my lips against hers, feeling the electricity between us. I liked this girl. I wanted her as more than a one-night stand or even a casual fling. I kissed her again and she responded, tilting her face against mine as her tongue stroked my lip.
We took it to her door, and I pulled her against me, kissing her fiercely. The porch light was bright, and I knew that anyone who passed by might see us. I wanted to unlock her door and bring her inside where there was a counter. There was a couch. There was that sturdy oak table that I’d noticed. Fuck, I wanted this girl.
I heard her keys and slid a hand down to capture them. She moaned against me, and I pulled away. “If I unlock this door and let us in, I’ll never want to leave.” I stared into her wild eyes and licked my lips. “I won’t ever force you, but I am only a man, Elyse.”
“Tomorrow. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Elyse stammered, and I nodded. I kissed her again, chastely this time, before unlocking her door.
“Lock your door, Elyse,” I told her, and she nodded before backing inside. She blinked at me before closing the door, and I listened to the deadlock click in place. I turned to walk to my car and looked out as a sheriff drove through the neighborhood in an SUV, giving me a long look.
“You’re Ryder Bellamy?” he asked as he stopped and rolled down the window with a quick look around.
“I am.” I offered my hand, and he shook it before glancing at the townhouse behind me.
“Are you seeing Elyse?” he asked.
I smiled. “Something like that,” I replied, and he frowned a little as he looked at me.
“Take care of her. She’s been through a lot.” His words were vague, and I raised an eyebrow as I scrubbed a hand through my hair.
“What do you mean?” I asked, and he looked at the townhouse for a moment.
“Just be gentle with her,” he warned before nodding. “Good luck with the season, Ryder.”
He rolled up his window and parked at a house just down from Elyse’s place, hopping out and walking inside. I unlocked my car and glanced towards Elyse’s house, seeing the light through the closed blinds, turning on in the front rooms as she seemed to walk down the hallway.
The next day dragged until it was time to pick Elyse up at the bookstore. I dressed in fitted black jeans and a white button-up, slipping my feet into work boots on the way out. I slicked my hair back casually, comfortable to let it do what it wanted. I spent most of my life with a helmet on my head, so I didn’t worry too much.
I drove the car to the quaint part of town that offered a lot of shopping and antique stores. I glanced at her building and parked down the block as soon as I could find a space. I checked myself in the mirror and tried to force my nerves into settling down. I wasn’t usually like this with a woman, but I had to think for a moment on how long it had been that I dated one on a serious level. I guessed that it was a few years, and I opened the door and stepped out into the fresh night air. I looked around and noticed a few people walking on the sidewalk before making my way to Elyse.
Her second-hand bookstore had a heavy wooden door with a small glass pane, and I could see her at the counter as I peered in. She looked stunning with her hair in a ponytail and a smile on her glossy lips. I paused as I took her in and jumped as someone asked if they could get into the store.
“Of course. I’m so sorry.”
I opened the door for the woman and allowed her to enter before following her. My eyes were locked on Elyse as she glanced up, blushing as she handed two books to a customer. I smiled at her and looked around the cozy room as I approached the counter.
“Hi,” I said as I leaned forward on the wood to try to breathe her in.
“Hi, Ryder. It’s good to see you.” Her eyes were warm, and I wanted to kiss her. I wanted her to know how long the day had been for me. I needed Elyse to see that she was important to me, but even I couldn’t explain why right now.
Not yet.
A woman approached Elyse behind the counter and took me in with a sharp eye. “It’s eight, honey. I’ll close up and count for you tonight.” The older blonde smiled, and I gave her my winning grin, making her shake her head.