Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Such a way with words.”
“I’m sorry, Jewls.” The sincerity in his voice floats around my head, and I smile.
“Apology accepted.”
“I’m sorry for it all.”
“Sounds like you needed to work through it on your own. But if anything is going to come of this, you have to know I can handle what’s on your mind.”
“Something has already come of this.”
“Major, we flirted for months. It was fun, but you shut it down. We can take it easy and see where this goes.”
“I took it easy for too long.”
“I’m the same woman you saw in that bar the first night. Maybe you need to take a step back and see if you can handle my brand of wild.”
“Oh, I can handle it.”
“What’s changed?” I challenge him, needing to hear the answer.
“I swear to God, Jewls, I’ll explain it all one day. But let’s just say I was fucked over and never thought I’d trust another woman. One look at you behind that bar and all that shit vanished. So goddamned hot, bouncing around, laughing, making people smile, throwing snark. Then finding you spying in the bushes and wrestling with Harley. My cock goes hard every time I think about it.”
I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles up my throat. “Men are ridiculous!”
“Seriously? You ever seen two gorgeous women rolling around, tearing at each other’s clothes?”
“We were not tearing at each other’s clothes! We were trying to protect each other.”
He shrugs, giving me his heart-melting smile. “I like my version better.”
I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”
“We good now?”
“What exactly does good mean?”
“You understand where we’re at?”
“Apparently, you’re into me, because I’m awesome.”
“Yeah, and?”
“We’ll see where this thing between us goes.”
“Wrong. It’s already there.”
“You may not be able to handle me, remember?”
“Bullshit excuse, already explained that.”
“I’m not changing.”
“If you do, I’ll be pissed.”
“You obviously don’t want me to see other people.”
His expression turns sharp, his eyes going almost black. “Never again, Julianna. The thought makes me want to pummel someone. I’m not just into you, I’m crazy about you. Not a good idea to mention another man.”
It’s highly barbaric, extremely possessive, and would normally piss me off. But instead, a weird and unfamiliar tingle races up my spine.
“You gonna tell me what those women did?”
“Huh?”
“At the door, you said it’s all their fault.”
I release his neck and wave my hand in the air flippantly. “Oh, nothing.”
“Nothing? Or nothing you’ll tell me because it’s about me?”
I narrow my eyes, figuring he has an idea. “It’s annoying you live with Harley.”
He shrugs. “Not me that’s sending texts with stupid emojis.”
“I shouldn’t have let Harley have that third glass of wine. Do you really want to know what happened during girls’ afternoon?”
“I want to know everything that has to do with you.”
“Fine! You won every one of them over with your swoony, sexy, and bossy show of affection. It was ovary overload. I didn’t stand a chance.”
“Ovary overload? Is there such a thing?” I could get lost in the way his eyes flare and lips curl, makeing my insides clench.
“Yes, ovary overload is a thing. And it can cause dangerous hormonal swings.”
Satisfaction lights in his expression. “Are you saying you swooned?”
“Not at all,” I lie.
“Hmmm, I’ll have to up my game.”
“That’s it! You have to quit being sweet. I’m used to the standoffish, broody, grumbling man. I can’t handle it and don’t know what to do with you now.”
He grips my neck, bringing me less than an inch from his face. “You’ll get used to it.”
“Don’t count on it.”
“Jewls?” His husky voice sets my insides on fire. “I’ve waited all week for this.”
Before I can question what he means, his mouth covers mine. The instant his tongue sweeps through, I dissolve, forgetting all reason.
7
Major
I open my eyes to the darkness, my internal alarm telling me daylight is approaching. Jewls’ arm and leg are thrown over my stomach and thigh. I slide her closer, tucking her to my side.
Memories of last night flash through my mind. Jewls may talk a big game, but immediately after our conversation, things went back to the way they were. Any awkwardness or tension disappeared.
It was a new beginning. She talked for hours, letting her guard down and giving me insight into every part of her. Conversation came easy and freely. Hearing the heart and compassion when she spoke about her job filled me with pride.
The mystery of who pissed her off the other morning was resolved. Harley’s assumption was correct. Jewls’ brothers, Tobias and Caleb, and her cousin, Justin—a.k.a. Larry, Darryl, and Darryl—were not happy about her public kiss on national television. She was pissed with their overprotective act, but when she spoke about them, it was filled with love. Another layer revealed.
The irony of Julianna Keller is not lost on me. Soft and sweet, caring and tender-hearted, wild and crazy, snark and sarcasm… every bit perfect.