Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“I don’t date, but I like sex.”
I cough, not expecting her bold statement, but I should have. This is Scarlett, after all.
“I like sex too.”
“I like sex with you.” She grins.
“I like sex with you too.” I plate up our breakfast and slide the dish in front of her before pouring us both a cup of coffee. “How do you take yours?” I ask her. This is the most bizarre conversation I’ve ever had over breakfast, and I grew up with eight brothers.
“Just black for me.”
“That surprises me,” I say, handing her a steaming cup before taking the stool next to hers.
“Why does it surprise you that I like my coffee black?” She tilts her head to the side as if she’s trying to see inside my head and can’t.
“I don’t know. You’re vibrant and spunky.” I shrug. “I just assumed you’d take your coffee the same way.”
“What exactly does spunky coffee look like?” She’s teasing, barely containing her laughter. “It sounds a little kinky.” She wags her eyebrows. “Or a little gross. That could go either way.”
“Lots of sugar, and cream and flavors, maybe? I don’t know. I just wasn’t expecting you to say black.”
“Well, we have something else in common.” I raise my eyebrows, not sure what the other thing is that we have in common. She smirks. “We both like sex with each other, I might add, and black coffee.”
“Yeah, Firecracker. I guess we do. Eat up.”
She makes a production of tearing off a bite of her toast and chewing. We both scarf down our food in comfortable silence. There is not an ounce of awkwardness to sitting next to this woman and sharing a meal. I barely know her, but I know that I want to. I want to keep this up, this benefits thing, and just enjoy her while she’s here. I just don’t really know if that’s something she’d be up for. I assume she is.
“That was delicious.”
“You were just hungry.” I stand and take our plates to the dishwasher.
“I’m not really much of a cook, so trust me. It was great.”
“Is it that you don’t know how or just don’t enjoy it?” I ask as I wipe off the counter.
“I know how. I just don’t do it.”
“Got it. You don’t like to cook.”
“I didn’t say that.”
I toss the sponge into the sink and turn, resting my back against the counter. I cross my arms over my chest and wait for her to elaborate.
“You know, showing off all that arm porn isn’t a way to get me to talk.” She points at my arms.
“What are you talking about?”
“That.” She motions toward my arms again. “You have to know what those things do to a woman. Hell, probably some men too.”
“Enlighten me.”
“Nah, I don’t think your ego needs more inflating.” She’s smiling, so I know she’s teasing.
“Start talking, Firecracker.”
“My mom and me, we used to cook all the time. Now that she’s gone, it’s not something that holds my interest.” Her voice wobbles, and I know that confession was hard for her.
I pushed her, and I shouldn’t have. I could tell her that I’m sorry and that I’m sorry for her loss, but I’m guessing that won’t do anything to ease her pain. Instead, I move to stand next to her and wrap my arms around her in a hug. She’s stiff at first, but she eventually relaxes into my embrace and hugs me back. I don’t let go, sensing that she needs this. We stand here for what feels like hours, but I’m sure it’s less than a minute when she pulls back and grins up at me, wiping her eyes.
“You give the best hugs.” She smiles through her pain.
“Yeah? That was kind of our thing growing up. Nine rowdy boys and Dad, and then there was Mom. It didn’t take long for most of us to be taller than her, and when she was emotional, or aunt flow was visiting, we didn’t really know what to say or do, so we just gave her lots of hugs.”
“Aunt flow? Really, Archer?” She giggles. I want to beat on my chest in the satisfaction that I brought her out of her sadness.
“What else am I supposed to call it? Guys don’t talk about periods.”
“You just did.”
“Well, yeah, now we do. As teenagers, we were either grossed out by it or laughing about having to say it. Looking back, I feel bad for Mom. I’m glad my brothers are bringing their wives and more babies into the family. She deserves some females on her side for once.”
“The aunt flow comment aside, I think it’s sweet that you and your brothers tried to comfort her with hugs. It’s endearing.”
“Shh, don’t tell anyone.” I pretend to zip my lips, and her laughter rings out, filling the kitchen.
“Your secret is safe with me. I should get going.” She stands and hugs me again. “Thanks for everything, Archer.” She turns and heads down the hall toward my bedroom, and I find myself following along behind her.