Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“What about you? How was your day?”
“Not bad. I love what I do, so there are very few bad days.”
“It helps that you also work with four of your best friends. Oh, and that you’re the boss.”
He chuckles. “That doesn’t hurt.” He takes another bite and swallows before asking. “So, you’re all packed up?”
“I am. I brought a few things on over today. I figured since I was coming over, I might as well.”
“I’ll help you bring it in.”
“I already did. Just a couple of bags of clothes that are on the floor of the closet.”
“I’ll help you hang them up.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll do it once we’re done here. It won’t take me long. I just assumed getting a head start might be nice. Not that I have a lot to bring. Mostly clothes, toiletries, a few knickknacks, and pictures.”
He reaches across the table and places his hand over mine. “This is your home, Monroe. You don’t have to ask permission. You don’t need to worry about messing with my stuff. What’s mine is yours.”
“This is temporary.”
“You’re going to be my wife.”
Why does my belly get all fluttery every damn time he says that? “Fine, but if there is something I change or do that upsets you, you have to promise to tell me.”
“That’s not going to happen.” He’s steadfast in his answer. He shoves the last bite of taco into his mouth, and I know staring is wrong, but suddenly, everything this man does is sexy, even eating, apparently. “Are you staying tonight?”
“I have work clothes.” The truth is, I was hoping he would ask me to stay. No matter how we fall asleep, I wake up with his arms around me, and it’s something I’ve come to crave. I refuse to think about what that means.
He nods. “Stay.”
I smile and return his nod before standing to clean up. Legend stands as well. When he walks behind me to get to the refrigerator, his hand trails over my hip. I shiver at the contact. He’s touching me more, and it’s something I can’t get enough of. Sure, I’m getting the lady version of blue balls, but it’s worth it. Every touch sends sparks of desire racing through my veins. I’m doubting my resolve to be able to keep my hands off him before this year is up.
I plop down on the couch and turn my head to look at Legend. “I really didn’t think I had that much stuff.”
He huffs out a laugh. “It wasn’t too bad. It helped that the guys were here. I think we’re so exhausted because somebody decided we needed to unpack everything today and break down the boxes.”
“Gee, I wonder who that was?” I ask, when we both know it was him.
His laughter fills the room, and I love the sound. “I wanted you here, and I wanted you settled. It’s important to me that this is your home.” He reaches over and tucks what I’m sure is my wild, haggard hair behind my ear. “Welcome home, gorgeous.”
“You’re stuck with me now,” I tease, because that’s all I can do while I’m ignoring the way my heart flutters in my chest at his soft voice and his welcome home. I don’t know how, but this place—it feels like home to me.
He feels like home to me.
“Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving.”
“Let’s order pizza.”
“Perfect. I’m going to shower and wash off the day while we’re waiting. Let me get you some cash.” I start to stand up, and he places his hand on my thigh to keep me in place.
“Not happening, Mo, and you know it. Go get your fine ass in the shower. You want ham and pineapple, right?”
“I’m fine with whatever.”
“I know that’s your favorite.”
“Yeah, but it’s not yours.”
“You’re my favorite.” He winks.
“Yeah, yeah,” I say, blowing off his remark. What I want to tell him is that he’s quickly become my favorite too. Instead, I stand and make my way to our room to shower.
Twenty minutes later, I’m clean and moisturized, my hair is pulled up in a wet, messy knot on the top of my head, and my belly is growling. As I pass the spare bathroom, I freeze when I hear the water running. Slumping back against the wall, I stand motionless as I think about a naked Legend just behind the door.
“Snap out of it,” I tell myself, standing back to my full height. I move to the kitchen and grab some paper plates and a couple of beers. We’ve earned it after today. Once I have everything set up in the living room, I grab the remote and start scrolling for something for us to watch while we eat.
The knock on the door startles me. I jump, the remote flies out of my hand, and I let out a little scream. Why? I have no idea. I guess I was so engrossed in what we were going to watch, and possibly thoughts of a wet, naked Legend just down the hall, that I was lost in my own head. I stand to answer the door just as Legend comes racing down the hall. His hair is dripping wet, as is his body, and he has the world's smallest towel wrapped around his waist. It does nothing to hide his… package.