Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“No.” His lips curve into a smile. “I was dating Megan when you came to Magnolia. Sarah was shortly after, and no, our kisses weren’t like that either.”
“I’m just wondering.”
“I had no idea you kept track of my dating life.”
“Those are the only two I remember.”
“I haven’t dated anyone since. They both dumped me for the same reason.”
"Finding out you're utterly insufferable?"
"Finding out I couldn't stop talking about you."
Silence.
“I’ll pump the gas this time,” I say, needing to get away from him.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Just let me,” I say. “I’ll be right back.”
ELEVEN
TARYN
Merging onto I-80 East toward Cheyenne, entering Wyoming
I swipe his card at the pump and shut my eyes. All I can think about are how good his lips felt against mine and how I should let him dominate them again.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
My phone sounds with a call.
Georgia.
“Yeah?” I step away from the car.
“Where the hell are you, Taryn? I haven’t gotten an update from you in forever.”
“We’re still on the road,” I say. “We had to double-back earlier, and we’ve stopped a few times.”
“Well, Grandma Hattie has decided that we have to hold off on playing any of the games and starting the traditions until you get here.”
“Why do you sound upset about that?”
“Because you’re not here to help me cheat and look through the presents,” she says, “The longer you take to get here, the less time we have to make sure we get something good.”
“I’m going as fast as I can, I swear.” I look over my shoulder. “I told you I was riding home with James Calloway, right?”
“Yeah, your coworker-slash-boss. Why is that relevant?”
“Because he just kissed the fuck out of me and I really liked it.” I lower my voice. “It was so good it made me wet.”
“So, when do you plan on sleeping with him?”
“Ugh, never. Ask me to describe the kiss.”
“I’d rather hear about sex.” She scoffs. “Can you finally send me an updated picture?”
“No.”
“Don’t make me look up him up online.”
“If you wanted to do that, you would’ve done it a long time ago.”
“True.” She laughs. “I’ve waited this long to see him. What’s another few hours?”
“Few hours?” I burst her delusions. “We still have half a day to go, Georgia.”
“Then get off the phone and focus on driving!” She ends the call and I notice new text messages from Cameron.
I almost forgot about you…
Cameron
I heard there’s a special place at the resort (somewhere near the slopes) where couples get naughty after dark…want to show me when you get here?
Maybe…
Looking forward to it *wink wink*
I sigh and return to the car.
Avoiding James’ intense gaze, I pull onto the road.
Fifty miles later
Spluttt. Splutt. SPLUTTT!
The gas pedal stiffens under my foot, and the car makes an awful screeching sound.
Panicking, I pull over to the side of the road and put the car in park.
“James.” I shake his shoulder. “James!”
He lifts his head. “I fell asleep with your driving? Have we died?”
“I don’t think so…” I pinch myself to double check. “Something is wrong with the car.”
He leans over me and tries to turn the ignition, but it won’t give. He taps the service screen and lets out a long sigh.
“While you were talking to your cousin,” did you bother actually pumping the gas?”
I gasp.
I only paid for it. I never pumped it.
“There's probably something going on under the hood.” I can’t admit to being that stupid. “Sounds like an engine issue. We have plenty of gas.”
"I doubt that." He grabs his coat from the backseat and puts it on. “I’ll be back.”
“Where are you going?”
"There's a gas station half a mile ahead.”
“You want me to sit here alone?”
“There’s no traffic,” he says. “And it’s not that far. I think you’ll be all right."
“If I was your girlfriend would you let me sit in the car alone?”
“Probably not.” He steps out and I follow suit.
He pulls me against his side and we trudge down the icy highway.
My teeth are chattering when we make it to Big Billy’s Discount Gas, and I’m grateful for the rush of heat.
James heads toward the gas cans, and I head for the coffee.
“Where’s your car?” An elderly man behind the counter asks.
“It’s up on the highway,” James says.
The man looks confused.
“Let me guess,” he says. “Your wife forgot to pump the gas at your last stop?”
“Of course not.” James smiles at him. “This is all my fault.”
“I’ll bet!” The man laughs. “If you keep that attitude, you’ll last a long time together. Trust me.”
“My name’s Bill.” He extends his hand. “Let me give y’all a ride back to your car. It's not every day I get to help a young married couple for the holidays.”
Neither of us correct him.
TWELVE
JAMES
Taryn shivers against my chest as Bill slowly drives his truck. I rub my hands against her back to keep her warm, resisting the urge to taste her mouth again.