Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
“You think he’d react better to you telling him?”
“No, but it’d get him trying to kick my ass out of the way,” I mutter, and she presses her lips together like she’s trying not to smile.
“You think that’s funny?”
“No.” She laughs when I tickle her sides. With the bed behind me, I turn us, and she falls to her back against the mattress, still laughing. Looming over her, I press my fist into the bed near her head while I maneuver myself between her legs.
Her breath hitches when she registers our new position and lifts, pressing her mouth against mine.
Grasping the back of her thigh, I drag it up higher on my hip, relishing the sound she makes as I take over the kiss and press my hips into hers. I lose myself in the feel of her softness under me and take advantage of the moment.
When my phone starts to ring, I groan, and she whimpers as I tug my mouth from hers.
“It’s probably the delivery driver.” I brush my lips across hers one last time before I lean back and take out my cell. When I see I was right, I answer the call and grasp her hand, helping her to stand. While she finishes packing, I head outside to grab our food, and she meets me between my house and Kourtney’s when she’s done.
When we get over to my place, I pour her a glass of wine that she takes outside while she calls her mom. The two of them don’t talk for very long, and when Olivia comes back inside after hanging up, she tells me that her mom wasn’t surprised something was going on between us, but she sounds concerned, which I could tell bothered her.
As much as I wish her response had been different for Olivia’s sake, it doesn’t surprise me. It also doesn’t change anything. So after we eat dinner and watch some TV, I lead her into the house and down the hall to my guest bedroom, where I leave her with a kiss at the door, even though I really fucking want to drag her across the house to my bed.
CHAPTER 15
Olivia
“Hey, Holly. Can you get Alisha on my schedule next week for a checkup?” I ask, stopping at the front desk with the woman who was in for a consultation yesterday and came back today for a lip filler appointment.
“Sure.” Holly smiles brightly at Alisha.
“I’ll be right back.” I rub my client’s arm. “I’m just going to get you an ice pack.”
When I get her nod, I leave her and Holly and head down the hall to the storage room, catching a glimpse of the back of Julie’s head before she disappears into her office. Somehow, I’ve been able to avoid her all day, which is good since I haven’t figured out how I’m going to deal with her.
Returning to the front desk, I see Alisha sitting with an unopened bottle of water, and as soon as she sees me, she gets to her feet.
“She’s booked for next Tuesday,” Holly tells me as I hand Alisha the ice pack that is in the shape of a heart.
“Good, and if there are any issues at all, or if you have any questions, just send me a text at the number I gave you, no matter the time.”
“Thank you.” The words come out a little funny due to her lips being numb from the injection that has an anesthetizing agent in it that is similar to what dentists use.
“You’re welcome, and I’ll see you next week.” I hold open the door for her and listen to her mumble a goodbye as she leaves.
Letting the door close, I turn back to Holly. “I’m going to take off unless I have someone else on my schedule today.”
“Nope, you’re free for the rest of the day. Are you doing something fun?” she asks.
“I’m going to stop by my parents', and then I need to run some errands.”
“Your friend is coming to visit, right?”
“Yes, but she doesn’t get in until tomorrow evening around six,” I tell her as the door to the spa opens. I turn to look over my shoulder and watch a man carrying a huge bouquet of white peonies walk inside.
“Wow! Who are those for?” Holly asks in awe.
“Olivia Gannon,” the guy says, placing the bouquet on the front desk, and my heart starts to beat wildly. I haven't gotten flowers since I was in high school, and those were always from my parents.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“Enjoy.” He smiles before turning and walking right back out.
“Who sent you flowers?” Holly asks, leaning in to smell one of the huge white blooms.
“I don’t know.” I pull the card from the holder and instantly feel my throat get tight when I open it.
Last night, when I watched Bax walk away after I so obviously hurt him, I realized that not only had I messed up, but I had also underestimated just how deeply he had burrowed under my skin. It was a wake-up call—one I didn’t know I needed.