Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Why him?
Why is he the one guy who has set up residence inside my brain, refusing to be evicted?
It’s frustrating. Especially when I’d prefer to feel absolutely nothing where Ford Hamilton is concerned. As much as I want to turn tail and run, I refuse to back away. Instead, I hold my ground.
Not to mention, my breath.
“Answer the question.” His voice is deceptively calm. “I’m not family?”
I glance away, focusing on the small pockets of people toking up in the yard. The skunky scent of weed hangs heavy in the chilled air.
“Carina?” he snaps.
It’s only when all of my chaotic emotions have been locked down tight that I force my gaze back to his. “No, we’re not.”
Hurt flickers in his eyes before it’s shuttered away behind a smirking mask of indifference. “Unfortunately for you, I’m not that easy to shake loose.”
Isn’t that the truth.
It would be so much easier if he were.
Everywhere I go, there he is. The guy is like an incurable STI.
A nasty, pustulous one that oozes.
Unable to stand another second of our close proximity, I take a step in retreat. Just as I’m about to take another, his hands shoot out, locking around my upper arms before dragging me forward and crushing me against the steely strength of his chest.
Air gets clogged at the back of my throat as I stare up at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. “What are you doing?”
Once upon a time, I allowed Ford to touch me whenever he wanted.
I reveled in the feel of his hands.
That’s no longer the case.
As much as he enjoys provoking me, he normally keeps his hands to himself.
His heated gaze drops to my lips. “I’m not sure.”
The confusion lacing his voice is enough to make my heart stall. Just when it feels as if I’ll expire from lack of oxygen, it’s jumpstarted before beating a painful tattoo against my ribcage.
For years, I’ve worked hard to shut down my emotions where he’s concerned. The last thing I need is for him to break through the walls I’ve erected to keep him firmly at bay. There’s no way in hell I’ll allow him to destroy the little bit of self-preservation I have. It’s the only thing that allows me to sleep peacefully at night.
In a surprise twist I didn’t see coming, he whispers, “Truth or dare.”
Nerves explode inside my belly as his warm breath ghosts over my parted lips.
I can only stare in shock.
It’s a game we used to play in high school. Stupid dares and truths that I would never have revealed to anyone but him. After he iced me out and pushed me away, he never revealed any of my secrets.
It’s strange—even when we’re taking jabs at each other, I trust him not to pull out the information I shared to use against me. It’s always stayed in the vault.
He arches a brow. “I’m waiting, pretty girl. What’s it gonna be? Truth or dare?”
Pretty girl.
That’s what he used to call me all those years ago.
I suck in a shaky breath, knowing it would be wise to break free of his grip and leave before anything else can happen. We’re treading on dangerous territory. I can almost hear the ice cracking beneath our feet. Spidering. Weakening. Any moment, it’ll shatter and we’ll both plunge into the murky depths, never to be heard from again.
“Dare.”
Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid.
I’m playing with fire, and I know it.
“Wrap your arms around me and pretend that I’m the only one you’ve been thinking about.”
My mouth turns bone dry.
When I remain frozen in place, he rasps, “I’ve never known you to turn down a dare.”
Don’t do it.
Walk away while you still can.
Instead of listening to rational thought, my palms settle against the hard lines of his chest before sliding upward and tangling around his neck as if I’m holding on for dear life.
Our gazes cling under the silvery moonlight as people laugh and chatter around us. I’m pressed so tightly against him that I feel every sharp rise and fall of his chest. It’s a shock to find that he’s not unaffected by what’s unfolding between us.
“Fuck, Carina,” he murmurs, gaze dipping to my lips.
My heart picks up its tempo as his face looms closer. Just when I think he’ll close the distance between us and kiss me, his name is shouted.
I startle, jumping out of his embrace. Our gazes stay locked as my fingers fly to my lips.
“Carina!”
I spin on my heel and fly back to the house.
To safety.
My fingers drift over my lips for a second time. I can’t believe that almost happened. Just as I wrench open the door, Ford’s deep voice cuts through the night air, stopping me in my tracks.
“Stay the fuck away from Justin. Understand?”
Instead of responding, I do the only thing I can and slip inside.
Chapter Two
Ford
I lift the brown bottle of beer to my lips and take a long swig as my gaze stays locked on the feisty blonde. Instead of heeding my warning, she’s been glued to that douchebag’s side the entire night.