Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“Alright, I’ll be serious.” He played with his napkin. “You said your stepdaughter is around my age. And your husband was seventeen years older. That must have been an interesting dynamic between you and her when you first came on the scene.”
I stared off, thinking about those early days with Caitlin. “It wasn’t easy at first. Her mother had passed away when she was ten. I came into her life when she was a young teenager.”
“She’s lucky to have you, especially since both of her parents have passed now.”
“Our relationship was a little tumultuous at first. But I understood why it was tough for her. A younger woman moving in? No child is gonna have an easy time with that. But she gradually began to get along with me—and to trust me. Over time, I took on more of a motherly role. Now we’re super close, and I’m extremely grateful.” I smiled. “She’s pretty much my best friend.”
He rested his chin in his hand and grinned. “That’s awesome.”
“Anyway…” I took a sip of my wine. “Have you ever dated an older woman?”
“Nope.” He scratched his chin. “Well, not that I know of.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I might have slept with a few women in my life whose age I didn’t know.”
My stomach sank. “Oh.”
“Does that bother you?” He frowned. “I’m just being honest. But if it makes you feel better, I’m long over the one-night-stand thing. I’m tired of it and really would like to find the one.”
It’s not going to be me. I exhaled. “Well, not knowing someone’s age doesn’t count. You’re one to talk, telling me to date someone a lot younger than me when you’ve never knowingly dated anyone older.”
“It’s another reason this is perfect.” He gestured between us. “We have a lot to learn from each other.”
“You know what you can teach me?”
Brayden leaned in. “What?”
“How to use a nail gun.” I laughed. “I’m starting to worry I’ve gotten a bit in over my head with the hands-on aspect of this project. I don’t have any real experience outside design.”
His teeth gleamed. “I got your back. You need help with anything, I’ll be right there.”
That was part of my worry. This project would mean spending quite a bit of time with him. It would be really helpful if he weren’t so damn irresistible. Speaking of which, it would be smart for me to get back to my room before this dinner turned into a nightcap.
After Brayden paid the bill, refusing to let me contribute, I reached for my purse and said, “We’ve got an early day tomorrow. I think I’m gonna head upstairs.”
Disappointment crossed his face. “Are you sure? I feel like it’s too early to say goodnight.”
“It’s nearly ten.”
“Like I said, early.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree on that.”
“Among other things.” His eyes sparkled. “Come on,” he urged. “Have one drink with me at the bar.”
My body tightened as I hung on to my resolve. “I can’t. My shower and bed await.”
“That sounds like fun, too.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Can I at least walk you to your room?” he asked.
I wasn’t about to turn that sentence into famous last words. “No, thank you. I’m gonna stop by the concession stand and grab some Advil on my way.”
“Did I give you a headache?” he asked.
Um, no. It’s just an excuse since I can’t trust myself with you. I started walking away before he could say anything else to sway me. “Goodnight, Brayden.”
“’Night, Alex. Don’t let the bedbugs bite,” he called.
I turned to face him one last time, walking backward. “We’re in a hotel. Don’t say bedbugs.”
Brayden blew me a kiss, and I nearly knocked into someone before vowing not to look back at him again for fear I’d change my mind about going back to my room like a good girl. Nonetheless, a perma-smile seemed plastered across my face as I headed upstairs.
When I got back to my room, I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. My cheeks were rosy from either excitement, arousal, embarrassment, or a combination of everything. I slapped myself on the face. “Snap out of it!” Then I laughed at how stupid I was acting. For someone who thought she was too old for this guy, I sure was acting like a silly schoolgirl.
My phone rang, snapping me out of my stupor. I answered the FaceTime call, and my stepdaughter, Caitlin, popped up on the screen.
“What’s going on?”
I blew out a long, shaky breath. “Not much.”
“You look like something’s got you frazzled.”
Biting my lip, I placed some hair behind my ear. “I do?”
“Yeah. Like I caught you with your Lilly Pulitzer pants down or something.” She giggled. “Someone there with you?”
“No. Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know. You look guilty. Like you’re not alone, maybe?”
“I’m most certainly alone.” I turned the phone so she could see my empty hotel room. “See?”