Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
My eyes drifted to the wet spot on his pants as I wondered about his sword. Was it long? Was it steely? Did he know how to use it?
Realizing my eyes were laser-beamed on his crotch, I quickly looked up. “So what brings you here tonight?”
“I’m with my family.” He looked over his shoulder toward the dance floor. “They’re sitting at a table over there, probably watching us. I told them I was coming over here to impress you.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You were that sure you could impress me, huh?”
He shrugged. “I was gonna give it my best shot—and my best shot is usually pretty good.”
It didn’t surprise me. Between his looks and his confidence, I doubted he swung and missed too often. “Do you live around here?”
“I grew up in Cherry Tree Harbor, but I’m out east now—Boston. I’m just home for a visit.”
“So who’s over there?” I glanced in the direction of the dance floor. “Brothers? Sisters? Mom and Dad?”
“Two of my three brothers—the third lives in California—and my little sister Mabel plus her best friend Ari, who might as well be another little sister. My dad is at home, watching my oldest brother’s twins. They’re seven.”
“Where’s your mom?”
“I lost my mom when I was nine.”
My jaw dropped. “I did too.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, so quietly I almost didn’t hear him over the band.
And maybe it was ridiculous that I trusted him more after learning we shared that specific childhood experience, but I found myself sliding to the edge of my barstool, moving a little closer to him. “So you’re an uncle.”
“Uncle Devlin,” he confirmed. “It’s the best thing ever.”
“You like kids?” Good grief, those eyes. What did you even call a blue that bright? Cobalt? Sapphire? Caribbean? Whatever the shade, it was making me hot. I had a sudden urge to go swimming.
“Kids are great. I often prefer them to adults.”
I laughed. “Same. I work with kids a lot, and they’re so honest and funny. No bullshit.”
“Exactly.” He tipped up his glass. “So are you a teacher?”
“You could say that.” I sighed and shook my head. “But I don’t really want to talk about work. It will just stress me out, and I’m trying to unwind tonight.”
He nodded. “You know what you need?”
“An orgasm.”
I swear to God, I only meant to think it.
But when Devlin choked on his whiskey, I realized I’d said it.
Out.
Loud.
TWO
devlin
For a second, I couldn’t breathe.
My eyes watered as I tried to stop coughing and regain my senses.
Had this stunning brunette with the bombshell curves and fuck-hot legs just asked me to give her an orgasm? Could any man be so lucky so fast?
“Actually, I was just going to ask you to dance, but I like your idea better.”
“Oh my God—I cannot believe that just came out of my mouth.” Lexi set down her drink and buried her face in her hands, which was a crying shame. Wide-set eyes, adorable dimple in her chin, and a sensuous mouth that was putting all sorts of unholy thoughts in my head. She peeked at me from between her fingers. “You have to forget I said that.”
I grinned. “Sorry, that’s never going to happen.”
“I want to die right now.”
“I’m not going to kill you, but say the word, and I’ll do my best to make you see God.”
She dropped her hands into her lap and shook her head. “What is wrong with me? Why would I say that to a complete stranger?”
“I’m not mad about it.”
“Just when I thought this night couldn’t get worse.”
I tried to make her laugh. “Look, if that’s really what you need, I believe I can deliver.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Come on.” I gave her shoulder a playful little nudge. “It seems unfair of you to doubt my word without giving me a chance to demonstrate my skills.”
“It’s not you, it’s me. I can’t . . . do that anymore.”
“Do what?”
“Have a—you know . . .” She made little explosive motions with her hands, like mini-fireworks going off. “A proper finish.”
“Why not?”
“Honestly, I don’t know.”
“Maybe you haven’t been with the right person,” I suggested. “A lot of guys are pretty fucking clueless.”
“I haven’t been with anyone. Just by myself.” She slapped a palm to her forehead. “I cannot even believe I’m having this conversation with you. What is this day?”
She was so beautiful, and so distressed, I wanted to toss her over my shoulder and carry her out of here, make everything better—if she’d let me. “Tell me something. How long has it been since you’ve . . . had a proper finish?”
She sighed. “About six months. It’s probably just because of anxiety—I’m dealing with a lot of family stuff right now that makes it tough for me to relax.”
I finished off my whiskey. “Okay. You’re not making this easy for me, but I’ve never been one to back away from a challenge.” I set the empty glass on the bar and faced her. “Give me fifteen minutes.”