Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 142833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
"Alright," I say. "I'm going to drop him off at the vet. I think he's okay but who knows if he's got some internal injuries." I fist bump my younger brother. "You did good, Tris."
"I wasn't expecting him to be so fucking heavy. He was like dead weight."
"They usually are when they're scared like this. They just freeze up, or even worse, they try to bite us or run off."
"Well, I'm glad he's okay."
Tanner punches him playfully in the arm. "You better start lifting some more, little bro."
Tris laughs and heads back towards the truck they came in. "Whatever, old man. Let's go."
By the time I take the river dog to the vet, get home, shower and eat, it’s after nine and I'm beat from running around all day. Diogee and the kitten join me on my king bed as I get comfortable on what has become my side and put something mindless on Netflix until my brain settles down enough for me to fall asleep.
I'm just dozing off when a melodic chime sounds from my nightstand, making my eyes snap open. It's the new tone I programmed for Kenzi's messages. I fumble for the phone and squint at it in the dark.
Kenzi: I wanted to say hi and let you know I'm thinking about you
I'm instantly awake and smiling as I type back.
Me: Hey you. I was thinking about you too. I had microwave meatloaf for dinner. I have no idea what I just ate. It may have been iguana meat. I miss your dinners. ;)
Kenzi: I see what I mean to you now ;) You're probably buried in white fur too, huh?
Me: Pretty much.
Kenzi: I'm not sure I feel bad...
Me: I miss everything. Not just you taking care of me.
Kenzi: I miss you, too.
My eyes latch onto those words and I'm very aware of how quickly and naturally we slip into these moments of what I can only think of as longing. And flirting. I attempt to U-turn the conversation with idle chatter.
Me: I have good news. Remember the dog we've been trying to catch by the river for months? We got him today.
Kenzi: Omg finally!!!!! Is he okay?
Me: He is now. He was actually stuck IN the river, off Suicide Bridge. Tris had to go in on a rope to get him out.
Kenzi: Holy crap! That’s amazing. I'm so proud of you guys!!!
Me: Thanks. He's super thin but he's going to be fine. Mom’s found a foster for him already.
Kenzi: I'm so glad he's finally safe.
Me: Me, too. So, are you enjoying Maine?
Kenzi: Yes. Sailor came by a few days ago and took me for lunch. He was visiting a friend who lives out here. He's a really sweet guy, very quiet and polite. I'm designing a tattoo for him.
The mystery meat dinner turns in my stomach.
Me: That was nice of him.
Fucking asshole drifter.
Kenzi: Yeah. We had a nice day. So, Katherine's friend is a photographer and took some pix of me for my portfolio. She thinks maybe I could do some shoots with her and get paid, like for products, or maybe even for a magazine.
Me: That would be great. I'm proud of you.
I'm still stuck on Sailor spending the day with her. I want to ask her if they're dating but I don't want to come off like some jealous teenager. Could he seriously have friends out there, conveniently located near Kenzi's aunt? I'm not buying it.
Kenzi: We'll see what happens. Do you want to see some of the pix she took?
Before I can answer, a photo begins to load on my cell phone screen. I was expecting the usual pose of her leaning against a tree, or sitting by the ocean with her hair blowing. I sure as hell was not expecting to see her stretched like a cat across a white silk covered bed, her long honey blonde hair flowing all around her, wearing a black bra that's just barely covering her full breasts with gold glitter sparkling across her perfect tummy leading down to matching black lace-edged panties. One of her legs is bent up, laying over her other thigh, the hint of her tight ass curved up. And on her feet, those little black leather boots that make my blood pressure spike every time she's got them on.
My mouth suddenly feels like it’s filled with a hundred cotton balls, and my heart is jackknifing in my chest.
I swallow, near panic, as another photo loads, this one of her kneeling on the bed, her hair longer, hanging down in front of her naked chest, just barely covering her breasts. Her jeans are unbuttoned and unzipped to show off cherry red panties. A hole is torn from just above the knee to her inner thigh, the worn and frayed denim edges revealing delicate flesh that’s begging to be touched.