Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 104288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
One.
In.
A.
Million.
Panic grips my windpipe. I look back up at the sky. “Wise words for a—wait, how old are you?”
“Twenty-two. But Capricorns are old souls, so.”
“Of course they are.”
“What does that mean?” Her hand falls from my arm. My heart falls too.
More panic. I can’t be disappointed when Maren pulls away. I should be glad. Grateful.
Instead, I wanna grab her, tell her to touch me everywhere.
“Means you’re not what I was expecting,” I reply. “We’ve had a nanny before. But she wasn’t like you.”
Maren grins. “A tatted-up flyer with a thing for whiskey and a way with koalas?”
I let out a bark of laughter. The kind that hits you in the sides and makes you glad to be alive.
“A nanny that looks me in the eye for one thing,” I say.
She nudges me with her elbow. Did she move closer or did I? “Your death stare doesn’t scare me.”
“It should.”
“Your sister’s right. I think you’re all bark and no bite.”
I cross my arms. “You don’t know me.”
“I know enough.” Her chin takes on a defiant tilt. “And I think deep down, you’re a teddy bear.”
My eyes catch on her mouth. That frustratingly full top lip. I imagine sucking on it. She’d taste like whiskey, all fiery sweetness that goes straight to your head.
“That’s not the animal that lives inside me, no.”
She arches an eyebrow. “Give me a hint.”
“I’m not playing this game.”
“It’s a koala, isn’t it? That’s why you bought Katie the costume.”
I’m laughing again and so is she. “Not even close.”
“A panda.”
“You keep going with the bear theme.”
“Because you’re not-so-secretly cuddly and fuzzy.”
I shake my head. “I don’t cuddle.”
“Bet Katie would say otherwise.”
“Katie gets what she wants. If it’s a cuddle, then I cuddle. But that rule only applies to her.”
Maren’s eyes dance with laughter. “See? You’re sweet.”
“I’m a pleaser. There’s a difference.”
Now her eyes are on my mouth. Shit.
Does she wanna kiss me as bad as I wanna kiss her? That mouth of hers is juicy as a fucking peach.
But I can’t, which makes this wonderful, wild exchange suddenly feel like torture. It isn’t going to end with a hookup. Hell, I doubt I could even handle a handshake at this point. I’m keyed up, ready to pounce, and one touch could send me over the edge.
Back away slowly.
Gritting my teeth, I run a hand across my nape and use the other to pick up my mug. “Five minutes is up.”
“That went quickly.” Maren frowns. “Thanks for the impromptu therapy session. And the coffee.”
Do I give her a high-five? A smile?
An orgasm? Bet that would clear her head.
Stop.
“Don’t stay up too late,” I reply gruffly. “And thanks for listening. I don’t usually . . .”
She smiles. “Speak in sentences that contain multiple words?”
I’m laughing again.
Goddamn it, I need to pump the brakes here. Instead, it feels like we’re on a runaway train that I can’t stop.
I do not like being out of control. That’s how tragedies happen.
“I don’t spill my guts to strangers,” I manage.
Maren is still smiling. My heart is still thundering. “I’m not a stranger.” Before I know what she’s doing, she goes up on her tiptoes and wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a hug. “You’re doing great, Tuck.”
I reach for words—any words, polite, rude, nonsensical—but find only roaring need. Despite our difference in size, her body somehow fits perfectly into mine. Her curves meeting my muscle like puzzle pieces.
She smells so fucking good.
The pressure between my legs skyrockets. The desire to step into her embrace, to wrap my arms around her and pull her against me, obliterates every other thought inside my head.
But I can’t.
I can’t.
By the grace of God, I only slip an arm loosely around her waist. “I appreciate that.”
She leans back at the same moment I do. Still in the circle of my arm, she looks up at me and our eyes meet. Hers move to my mouth. Back up again.
He lips are inches from mine. All it’d take is me cupping her face. Leaning down. How soft would those lips feel? How hot?
How ardent would this girl’s kiss be?
She lingers against me long enough to let me know she wants it. The kiss.
I hold her just long enough to let her know I want it too.
Back. Away.
My body screams, but I somehow manage to do exactly that, my arm falling away from her waist. Maren’s eyes flicker with the same disappointment that fills every inch of my being.
I turn and reach for the door. Yank it open. It hits the doorframe with a solid thwack. I curse.
“After you,” I bite out.
Maren scurries inside. The shirt she’s wearing is oversized. The teeny-tiny shorts she’s wearing underneath are not. I glimpse the bottom of a perfectly round ass cheek as she walks. Skin smooth.
God, I’d love to bite it.
She doesn’t look at me as she heads for the stairs. “Goodnight.”