Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
She paused a few times to look at things for Greer, only to pass on them. At first, he thought it was because of money but he’d come to understand her a bit more—this was about what Greer would like.
He really wasn’t a fan of her not letting him hold her hand. As they walked up the stairs to cross over the water, he paused at the top and pressed her into the side of the bridge.
God, this woman was stunning. Even while she tried to underplay her beauty, it shone through. Bracing his hands on either side of her hips, he put his forehead to hers. He would be perfectly happy to lose himself in her blue gaze.
“Talk to me, Emma.”
She bit into her lower lip and he groaned.
“If you don’t want me to kiss you, Emma, stop sinking your teeth into your lip. That’s driving me crazy.”
It popped free so fast, he was almost insulted. Closing his eyes, he rubbed the side of his face against her neck then backed up enough to see her gaze once more.
“Are you embarrassed being seen with me?”
Her eyes widened so much it was nearly comical. “What? Oh, God no. Why would you think that?”
“You don’t want to hold my hand. Always finding some way to drop it.”
Her expression pinched. “I’m trying to protect you.”
He switched them around so his ass was braced against the bridge and he tugged her between his legs. Hands on her waist, he skimmed his gaze over her. The dress, her shoes, even the simple jewelry she had around her neck and in her ears. All of it took his breath away.
She takes my breath away.
“Freckles. I don’t need to be protected. I need to be able to hold your hand while we walk. I want to be able to kiss you and dance with you when we come upon a street band playing a song that makes us unable to refrain.”
She flattened her lips and took a deep breath. “I don’t want to disappoint you, Linc. I know why I’m here.”
“Do you really think that these past few weeks have been nothing but a means to an end for me?”
She canted her head to the left, the lights hanging from the trees and nearby businesses reflecting off the different hues in her hair. “Have you told him the truth?”
Right now wasn’t the time for him to focus on that failure. “No. And I know how that looks but it doesn’t change that I have real feelings for you, Emma.” He shook his head. “Don’t give me that line of shit about not finishing high school, your weight, or being a woman you aren’t used to seeing on my arm. I don’t want anyone other than you.”
“Do you really think this is the place for this discussion?”
“I tried to talk earlier, but someone didn’t want to join me in the shower.”
The pulse at the side of her neck jumped. He tugged her tighter against him.
“Linc,” she whispered.
He gave her a half smile. “That’s how I want you to say my name. Breathless. Needy. I’m not going to push you into anything, Emma. I want you to come to me when you’re ready.” He leaned closer and nipped the top of her ear. “Of course, I’m always happy to provide any relief you may need in the meantime.”
“I don’t know what to do with you.”
“Dance with me.”
“Why?”
“You said we needed to talk. Dancing is just a conversation between two people.” He wrapped his arms around her and cast a look around. Others were watching them, most with soft smiles on their faces as they observed.
She blinked up at him. “Did you seriously just quote Hope Floats?”
“You like Sandra Bullock?”
“I like Harry Connick Jr.”
He growled low in his throat, kissed her cheek, and pulled her away. They wove in and out of the crowd on the walk until he found what he wanted. Music to dance to. Slow romantic music. Without giving her a chance to voice a complaint or a reason they shouldn’t be doing this, he pulled her into his arms and began slow dancing with her.
It didn’t take too long before a group of people were doing the same thing.
They danced late into the night. Watching her, he knew when she had hit her limit. Emma stayed tucked against him on the stroll to their hotel along River Walk. They didn’t speak as they got ready for bed and he just pointed at the bed when she cast a look to the sofa in the other room.
“Adults, Emma. We can share.” He clicked off the light and put his hands behind his head. “Although, full disclosure, if you want to venture on my side of the bed during the night, I won’t say no.”
“Good night, Mr. Conner.”