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’s wrong? Are you all right?” He runs his eyes over me while I stand here still staring at him.
All of him.
He rushes toward me, and as soon as he’s close enough, with the hand that’s not holding the towel, he cradles my cheek. “Mo, baby, what’s wrong?”
Another loud knock sounds at the door. “Pizza.”
“You screamed.”
I swallow hard and pull in a deep breath, which is a mistake, because, damn, he smells incredible. “The knock at the door. I was zoned out. It startled me.” I take a step back and then another. With each step, I start to breathe a little easier.
Another knock.
“The money is on the table by the door.”
I nod, turn, grab the cash, and rush to pull open the door. I pay the delivery guy, who’s looking at me with an odd expression, and I wonder if my face says, I just saw my soon-to-be husband, who’s my husband in name only, pretty much naked and wet, and he smells better than this pizza you just delivered?
I sure hope not.
Pizzas in hand, I place them on the coffee table before grabbing my beer, twisting off the cap, and taking a long pull.
“You want another?” Legend asks from behind me.
“Yep,” I manage, breathing a little easier now that he’s dressed.
I hear him in the kitchen as I busy myself making us both a plate of a few slices of our favorites. “Thank you,” I say when he places another beer next to me on the end table.
“You’re welcome. Thanks for this.” He picks up his plate and starts to eat. “You sure you’re okay?” he asks after several minutes of silence.
“Does embarrassed count as fine?” I laugh. “I can’t believe a knock at the door startled me so badly.”
“What were you thinking about?”
You.
You wet.
You naked.
“I was scrolling, trying to find us something to watch.”
“Did you find something good?”
Nothing as good as what my imagination was coming up with, thinking of you in that bathroom. “Not really.”
“Hmm.” He picks up the remote and begins to scroll. He chooses a series he knows I love that I started a few nights ago.
“We don’t have to watch this.”
“You love this show.”
“I know, but it’s kind of a chick flick.”
“And you’re a chick.”
“You’re not.”
“I’m living with one, one that I want to make happy.” He presses the play button and sets the remote out of my reach.
“Thanks, Legend.”
“Anytime, gorgeous.”
The next thing I know, I’m being lifted into the air. “I can walk,” I tell him.
“I’ve got you.” He carries me to our room and places me on the bed. “Here, you can sleep in this.” He reaches behind his neck and pulls off the T-shirt he’s wearing. “I’m gonna go lock up.” He kisses my forehead and leaves the room, closing the door softly behind him.
“I’m in so much trouble,” I mutter to myself. Standing, I strip down to my panties and slip his shirt over my head before climbing beneath the covers. I lift his shirt to my nose and inhale.
Damn, he smells good.
A few minutes later, Legend comes back into the room. He turns off the light and makes his way to his side of the bed. I can hear him rustling around before he, too, slides beneath the covers. I’m lying on my side, facing him. He does the same. There’s just enough light filtering in through the blinds to make out his form.
“Mo?” he whispers.
“Yeah?”
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
My heart skips in my chest at his whispered confession. “Me too.”
We’re both quiet, letting the charged air hang between us. I’m getting ready to turn over to try and put out this invisible fire that burns between us when he moves, and I feel his arms wrap around me.
“Come here,” he says softly. He buries his face in my neck, and I place my hand over his that’s resting just below my breasts. “Night, gorgeous.”
“Night.” I close my eyes, and will myself to fall asleep. I can’t seem to do it. Maybe it’s because of my little nap out on the couch. That’s what it has to be. Surely, it’s not because of the man holding onto me as if I’m precious to him.
It’s not that.
It can’t be that.
I’m certain that if I keep lying to myself, I’ll start to believe it.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Legend
It’s the second week of October and the perfect weather conditions for a bonfire. Forrest has been talking about it all week. He’s made it clear we’re all expected to be there. Not that any of us would pass it up. We’re a close group, and we prefer each other’s company to anyone else’s.
Although, I’d choose my girlfriend over them. Well, my fake girlfriend. Monroe and I have been faking it for exactly a month this week, and things have been going smoothly. She comes to eat lunch with me on her days off, and I drop her off her favorite drink at least twice a week at her office. We’ve had dinner with her parents and mine a second time, and so far, no one seems to be batting an eye that we’re together.