Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
I immediately let him go and stand to my feet.
Loud applause and cheers fill the air as the promoter unlocks the cage.
Tatiana stands frozen, her eyes wide in shock.
“Good job as always, Humble Kid.” The promoter hands me the cheap winner’s check. “If you want to stick around until midnight, my boss is willing to pay you two grand for a round with whoever wins the last match.”
“Your boss needs to make it three grand if he’s serious.”
“Tell you what,” he says, smiling, “if you win, I’ll personally make it a little more than three.”
“I’ll be back for that.” I leave the cage and head straight for Tatiana.
“You almost killed that guy,” she whispers. “His face turned blue.”
“Almost is the keyword,” I say. “I would’ve let go if I didn’t feel him breathing.”
She nods, looking as if she only halfway believes me.
“Why are you here?” I ask. “I thought you were ignoring me.”
“I am.” She smiles. “I just came here to tell you that I won’t be talking to you again after tonight.”
I raise my eyebrow.
“Thought it’d be best if I told you in person.”
“Text would’ve been better.” I can’t take any more small talk. “Are you being serious about not being interested in me?”
“No.”
“Can you please stop playing these fucking games with me, then?”
“What?”
“You heard me.” I glare at her. “You drove an hour and a half away from Reno to come see me—alone—despite not answering any of my calls or texts for weeks.”
“I was hoping you’d eventually stop.”
“I won’t.” I step closer. “Not only that, but I’m pretty sure you’re wearing that dress to get my attention.”
“Is it working?”
“Yes.”
She blushes. “To be fair, I could’ve easily worn another Sailor Moon shirt to stand out this time.”
“That would’ve worked, too.” I close the gap between us. “Do you really have a long-distance boyfriend who lives in Philadelphia?”
“No.”
“Are you dating anyone else at this time?”
She shakes her head. “I’m not.”
“Then I need you to keep it that way until further notice.” I slide a finger under the skate charm that’s hanging around her neck, gently rolling it between my fingers. “I’m not the sharing type when it comes to things like this.”
“What makes you think I’ll ever agree to date you, Travis?”
“Because you want to.”
“That’s not the problem, and you know it,” she says, her voice faint. “If you were someone else, or the situation was different—”
“Yes or no,” I interrupt. “I’ll accept your answer either way.”
She’s silent for several seconds, and it feels as if we’re the only two people standing outside.
“Yes,” she says finally.
“Good.” I glance at the clock. “What time is your curfew?”
“I don’t have one of those.”
I give her a blank stare.
“I have like two hours before I have to head home.”
“I thought so.” I laugh. “There’s a spicy taco truck down the street. You should let me treat you to a few.”
“I’m not having sex with you tonight, Travis Carter.” Her words come out of fucking nowhere.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I’m just letting you know,” she says. “And while we’re on the subject—”
“The subject is tacos…”
“Most guys drop me after the first few dates because I make it more than clear that I’m not willing to sleep with just anyone.”
“The taco truck also serves nachos and quesadillas.”
“I’m aware that I should’ve lost my V-card in high school and that I should at least ‘consider’ fucking after a few decent dates with a guy, but that’s not the case, okay?” She rambles. “My first time has to be with someone I love, and if you’re only looking to have sex there’s no point in us talking past tonight.”
I blink, slowly processing the fact that she’s still a virgin. That, and she’s probably worse at making small talk than I am.
If this were anytime last year, I would’ve told her, “Thanks for the heads up. I don’t deal with virgins. Ever. Drive home safely,” before deleting her number.
“Should I take your silence to mean that you’re only interested in sex, Travis?”
“Not at all.” I give in and kiss her lips, silencing her rambles. The sweet taste of her mouth is enough to make me never want to try any other flavor again.
Wrapping my hands around her waist, I slide my tongue against hers, feeling her slowly let down her guard.
I kiss her until she’s damn near breathless, until she stops thinking so much. Then I whisper, “I’m still waiting for you to agree to the tacos.”
“Oh…” She sucks in a breath as I pull away. “I would like to try those. I don’t like sour cream, though.”
“Neither do I.” I lead the way and change the subject.
Definitely a fucking sap.
FOUR
PRESENT DAY
TATIANA
One Week Later
Manhattan, New York
I can’t believe this show hasn’t been canceled yet…
“So, Rachel’s baby daddy has a twin who is dating Carron’s sister who slept with Ryan?” Penelope stared at the television in disbelief. “Can you believe that?”