Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Stella.” He grins at me as he cranks the engine.
“Samson.”
He shifts into gear and then takes my hand. “He doesn’t suspect a thing. Orion’s too caught up in his life to think twice about what’s going on between us. But we do need to find a time to tell him.”
“I know. Maybe next weekend?”
“Sounds good. Everything’s going to be fine, Luna. Just trust me.”
My stomach flips as a sense of unease zips through me.
Famous last words…
Chapter Thirty-One
Samson
I could wake up next to Stella Cartwright every day for the rest of my life and die a happy man.
The feeling of her soft curves pressed into all of my hard is… it’s fucking indescribable.
There’s nothing better than this… nothing.
Even her soft snores, sleepy mumbles, and the little bit of drool on her cheek do it for me.
“Stella,” I murmur her name, skimming my nose along her cheek. “Wake up.”
She wiggles her shoulders and presses her cheek deeper into the pillow. “Go away.”
“It’s time to get up.”
“Ugh.” She tugs the covers over her head.
“Come on, Luna. You have your ortho appointment in a few hours and then class.” I lean in and kiss her neck, sucking and nibbling at her soft skin. “I want to spend time with you before you go.”
“Fine.” She shoves the blanket down. “But I want some coffee.”
“I have something that can wake you up better than coffee.”
“I’m sure you do, but…”
She doesn’t finish her sentence, but I already know what she’s thinking. We’re both worried about hurting her ankle more, and I told her fooling around was off the table until after her ortho appointment.
Luckily, my right hand took the edge off this morning in the shower while I let her sleep in a little.
“I’m gonna take a quick shower.”
I kiss the tip of her nose before standing. “I’ll make coffee.”
“Samson,” she calls my name as I walk toward the door.
“Yeah, Luna?”
“Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
“Always.” I commit the way she looks, her blonde hair splayed across my pillow and her lips stretched into a sleepy grin. She’s as flawed as anyone else, but to me, she’s perfect.
In the kitchen, I decide to do one better than just making a pot of coffee; my girl deserves a full-out breakfast.
I grab the eggs and bacon from the fridge and bread from the pantry. The coffee is percolating and I’m whisking the eggs when I hear the shower turn on.
The thought of her all soapy and naked almost makes me renege my no-fooling-around decree, but I know it’s for the best. If I somehow made her injury worse, I’d never forgive myself.
I set the eggs to the side and start the bacon, frying it extra crispy, just like Stella likes, when I hear my front door open.
Instantly, I’m on high alert.
“Smells good,” Orion says, casually planting himself onto a barstool.
“Uh, thanks, man.” I plate the bacon and pour the eggs into the pan. “What brings you by?”
“Can’t I stop by and see my best friend?” He sounds calm, but a quick glance in his direction tells me he’s anything but.
His eyes are narrowed to slits and his mouth is set in a firm line. I guess Stella was right after all, but there’s no way in hell I’m copping to shit unless he comes right out and asks me.
“Just seems odd,” I say mildly.
The shower cuts off and he smirks. “Got company?”
I scratch the back of my neck, wondering how to play this. I don’t want to lie to him, but—
“Something smells good,” Stella says, stepping into the room, clad in only a towel. “You didn’t have to go to all—Orion.”
“Hey there, Smalls.” Orion’s glare pins her in place.
“Um.” She tightens the towel, her gaze dropping to the floor.
“Um,” he mocks, crossing his arms over his chest. “Let me guess… it’s not what it looks like?”
“You’re not being fair,” Stella whispers.
“No!” Orion shoves away from the bar, sending the barstool he was sitting on to the floor. “No way. Fuck that. What’s not fair is rolling up to my lifelong best friend’s house and finding my baby sister fucking naked.”
I shove the pan off the burner and place myself between Stella and her brother. “Watch it.”
“You watch it!” He paces back and forth, running his fingers through his short hair. “Whatever happened to the bro-code?”
“We didn’t mean to keep it from you,” Stella says, clutching the back of my shirt.
“Oh, right. You just accidentally started fucking my best friend and forgot to tell me.”
“Please stop.” Her voice breaks. “Please. Just…”
“Just what?”
“Just let us explain.”
Orion stomps into the living room and slams himself down onto the couch.
I turn to Stella, gathering her into my arms. “Shh, don’t cry, Luna.” I press a chaste kiss to her quivering lips. “Go get dressed. I’ll deal with your brother.”
“Be nice,” she pleads.