Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“Why are you trying to make me jealous?”
“I’m teasing you, Riggs.”
“You’re flirting with me, Clover.”
“Do you hate flirting?”
“No. Nobody hates flirting.”
“Then why are you being a dick?”
“Because I don’t like the way you acted last night. You were slobbering all over him, for fuck’s sake.”
“I was not.”
“You were drunk, you don’t even remember.”
“I was tipsy. And I remember everything.” Sort of. But I keep that part to myself.
“You were trying to wind me up and you were using Ike to do it. He’s gross.”
“I mean… come on, Riggs. He’s not gross. On the inside, fine. I agree. He’s got a very undesirable mind and a black heart. But he’s like a frosted glass bottle filled with poison and all tied up with a shiny, satin bow. You can’t not admire it. No one in their right mind thinks the presentation is ugly, even if the liquid inside is nothing but frog venom.”
“You’re playing with fire here. He’s one of those obsessive types. If he even thinks you like him, he’ll just claim you, Clover.” Riggs points to the phone. “That’s why he was calling. He’s trying to claim you.”
“Well.” I shrug up one shoulder and shoot him a smile. “I guess he’s too late. Finders keepers, right?”
His smile is slow, but it’s real. “I knew you liked me.”
I spit out a laugh. “Why are you so incorrigible?”
“Why aren’t you more needy?”
“Oh, I see. I see what’s happening here.” He plays dumb and keeps his serious expression in place, but he’s about to crack a smile, I can tell. “You want to be the hero.”
“Well, you are a princess in need of saving.”
My scoff is automatic. But I shake my head and look down. Men. They are so predictable. I look back up and meet his gaze. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Saving me. I don’t think I said that, so I’m saying it now. You are a prince, Riggs. A real prince.”
“I can’t tell if you’re being serious.”
I turn and shrug up one shoulder, shooting him a sweet smile. “I’ll be in the shower. If you want to find out how serious I am.” Then I retreat back into the bathroom, but this time, I don’t close the door behind me.
CHAPTER 16 - RIGGS
Istand in the middle of the bedroom, just staring at the open bathroom door as the shower turns on. A minute passes and the pattern of splashing water changes, so she’s not bothering to wait and see what I do.
I could have a long internal debate with myself right now about how getting involved with Clover in this way is a very bad idea, but then I’d just talk myself out of it. And I don’t wanna talk myself out of it.
So I follow.
But I stop at the entrance and watch her for a moment. Most of the bathroom is marble—the floor, but also the walls and countertops—but the shower is encased in glass all the way up to the ceiling, trapping the hot steam inside. It swirls up and around the tall narrow space, partly obscuring her naked body.
She’s standing under the water, not washing, but enjoying it with her face tipped up. If she notices me—or cares that I’m here one way or the other—she doesn’t let on. There is no second invitation, she’s made her offer and the rest is up to me.
There are plenty of reasons—very valid reasons—why I should turn around and ignore her. But I’ve made a habit of making bad decisions so why stop now?
A moment later I’m naked and pulling the shower door open. Clover has her back to me and her body goes still as I step inside and pull the door closed. She doesn’t say anything as I study her from the back. She’s got curvy hips and a nice round ass.
Neither of us says anything as I take a few steps closer and then gather up her long blonde hair in one hand, draping it over her shoulder, while the other hand pumps some soap from a dispenser into my palm.
I rub my hands together, making suds, then start massaging her shoulders.
Immediately, she relaxes. “That feels good.”
I don’t say anything. Just let my hands slip down her arms, getting her all soapy. Then I start washing her back, letting the bubbles froth up. She shivers a little, even though the shower is dense with steam now and there’s no way she could be cold.
If she’s not gonna say anything, then I’m just gonna keep going. I take my soapy hands to her hips, then bend down so I’ve got a front-row seat for that curvy ass of hers. My hands slide over her hips and down her thighs, pressing my fingertips into her muscles.
As I’m doing this, she slowly turns so I’m eye-level with her stomach. When I glance up, she’s blushing. Or maybe it’s just the steam, but either way, her flushed cheeks make her look innocent and fresh.