Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Do you think Luna and Sarah would ruin what we have? Do you think they’d tease us or mock us or make us feel bad?”
I feel her shift beside me. “No, but I don’t like eating crow, that’s all.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know, having to admit that I was wrong and apologize. I don’t like it when I’m wrong.”
“And just what were you wrong about, Juniper?”
There’s that silence again. When I see the scenic turnout just ahead, I pull my truck into it, throw it into park, and turn to face her.
“What were you wrong about?”
“You.” It’s a whisper, but it has such an impact on me that it might as well have been a scream. She bites her lip before saying, “You. Okay? Is that what you want to hear?”
“Sort of, yeah.” I take off my seat belt, unbuckle hers, and pull her over onto my lap.
“This is so uncomfortable.”
“It’s fine.” I brush her hair over her shoulder. “I think you’re amazing. I always did, but I also thought you were a pain in the ass.”
“So, now I’m just amazing?”
“No, you’re still a pain in the ass; it’s just different now.”
She may narrow her eyes at me, but she can’t hold back the surprised laughter that bubbles up in her throat.
“Yeah, well, you’re a pain in my ass,” she says as she tips her forehead against mine. “I guess we can tell the others sometime soon-ish. Maybe next year.”
“That’s only a few months away. I guess I can wait that long. Or, and hear me out here, we could tell them on Christmas. Make it extra festive.”
“But Luna’s having her special holiday party, and I don’t want to make that about me.”
“I don’t think she’ll mind.” I kiss the tip of her nose and then her lips, and she tightens her arms around my neck, pressing closer to me. My hands slip under her sweater, up her sides, and around to her back so they can trail up and down her spine. “I fucking love your skin. It’s so smooth, so warm.”
“Thanks, but I’m not having sex with you on the side of the highway,” she informs me, but she doesn’t stop kissing me. “No way.”
“I bet I could talk you into it.”
“No. Someone could see. A lot of people drive this highway.” She sinks in for one last, long kiss, and then she climbs her way back over to her seat and grins over at me. Her eyes are full of fun and lust, and I wish that I had her at home so I could have my way with her.
But there will be plenty of time for that later.
“Come on, let’s go.” She fastens her seatbelt, but when I don’t start the engine, she asks, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I shake my head slowly. “I just can’t stop looking at you. You’re so damn beautiful.”
Her cheeks flush, but she frowns. “I’m a sure bet, Apollo. You don’t have to flatter me.”
“Whoa. I’m a lot of things, Juniper, but I’m no liar. If this is going to work between us, you need to get used to my compliments, because I don’t plan to stop giving them. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and that’s no exaggeration just to get in your pants. Whether that happens or not, it doesn’t change the truth. Now, let’s get up north because we have reservations.”
“We do?” She blinks at the abrupt change in conversation. “I thought this was just a casual date.”
“It’s both.” I wink at her, start the engine, and pull back onto the highway.
“I didn’t pack a bag.” June is standing in the doorway of the house I rented for the night. “I didn’t know this was an overnight date.”
“Don’t worry, okay?” I take her hand and pull her the rest of the way inside. “We’re going to enjoy the view and have some fun away from home.”
She doesn’t protest when I lead her to the living room and she gets a look at the view through the big picture windows.
“Wow. Ocean view. It’s pretty.”
“I like an ocean view. Maybe it’s from all those years that I lived at the lighthouse.”
“Why don’t you live in a place like this?” she asks, wandering around and checking out the place.
“I may love the view, but I don’t want to live this close to the ocean. The weather takes a toll on the buildings and cars, so I prefer to live in town. We still have salty air, but it’s not quite as bad.”
“Yeah.” She opens the cabinets in the kitchen. “I agree. I know that Luna and Sarah both love living right on the water, but I’m more of a land-based animal myself. Plus, I can always visit them and enjoy it.”
“Exactly. Are you hungry?”
“Hell no, you just fed me an hour ago. Why?”