Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 209(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 209(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Smiling, I head out the front door, Roger greeting me and holding the door as I go. It’s such a gorgeous night, perfect for walking. The Wine Cellar is only two blocks away and only takes me a short time to get there. It’s busy too, which I expected. The Wine Cellar has always been a local staple in Merlot. The food is outstanding and the view amazing. Reservations are booked months in advance just to get a table. Fortunately for my family, we know the owner and have no problem getting in when we need to.
A blonde with blue eyes smiles seductively as I enter. “Good evening, sir. Can I help you?” she asks, batting her eyelashes.
“I’m here for the Morrison party of four.”
“Oh, yes,” she coos. “Right this way.” Her hips sway, I’m sure with a little extra effort to grab my attention, as she leads me through the busy restaurant.
Before we arrive at our table, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. A blast from the past is sitting there, my oldest friend, Cameron. I’m already changing course and heading his way, not caring that the hostess is waiting at my table. Approaching the table for two, I spy a gorgeous brunette across from him.
“Cameron,” I say, stepping up to where he sits.
My friend instantly smiles and stands, pulling me into a one-armed bro hug. “Eli, I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.”
He sits back down and gives me his attention.
“I got in earlier this afternoon.” I glance at his date, struck once again by her sheer beauty. Sure, I want to tangle my hands in her long, brown hair, but it’s her eyes that captivate me. They’re the lightest shade of green, reminiscent of sun-kissed grass first thing in the morning. My cock definitely takes notice, which is the worst thing that could happen when you’re meeting a good friend’s girl for the first time.
When our eyes lock, hers narrow. That little slice of defiance does a number on my cock too.
“Cameron, I don’t think I’ve met your girlfriend,” I say, taking a step toward her and extending my hand.
The beauty glances down, glaring, as if it were a snake about to bite her. I’m caught off guard as my friend’s laughter catches my attention. “That’s not my girlfriend, Eli.”
“No?” I ask, instantly relieved I’m not ogling someone he’s seeing. I know I should look his way, but for some reason, I’m unable to pull my eyes away from the woman.
“No, man. This is my sister.”
His words register. Turning, I find Cameron laughing over his wineglass. “Your sister?” My eyes dart back to hers, and I swear I can see smoke billowing from her ears.
“Sister,” he confirms, holding up his glass in salute. “Eli, you remember my little sister, Marley, don’t you?”
My eyes continue to volley between Cameron and a very pissed-off Marley Smith. Finally, the recognition I didn’t catch earlier comes to light. Soft green eyes and a lightly freckled nose. What I wasn’t expecting was the fuck-me lips and the stunning rack. The last time I saw her, she was nothing like the woman I see before me now. Grown, matured, simply stunning.
Shit, Marley is a knockout.
Before I can stop myself, my mouth opens, and the worst thing I could possibly say slides past my tongue. “Holy shit, Bob, you grew up.”
Chapter 2
Marley
Eli Morrison. My brother’s best friend and my childhood nemesis. Well, maybe nemesis is too strong of a word, but we weren’t exactly friends. Eli always had something to say, and it was never nice. I was the bratty little sister, a tomboy, who followed the two of them wherever they went. He used to make fun of me for it, telling me I acted like a boy and looked like one too. One day he started calling me “Bob” as in Bob Marley. I hated that nickname, and him for giving it to me.
I didn’t even try to hide my glare as he stepped up to our table. This is my first night off in over a week, and I just want to enjoy dinner with my brother. Is that too much to ask? Looking up under my lashes, I can’t help but notice that time has been good to Eli. Just my luck. Why couldn’t he have a beer belly and look like he’s aged beyond his years? Guys like Eli have it all, and they don’t care who they step on, on their way to the top.
“Holy shit, Bob, you grew up,” Eli blurts out, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Yep. Still an asshole. “Do you mind?” I ask, rolling my eyes.
“Are you meeting someone?” my brother asks him.
“Yeah, Gram and Gramps,” he answers, but his eyes are still on me. I can feel his stare.
“We’ll have to stop by before we leave,” Cameron tells him.