Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 83211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I slow my thoughts and try to come up with an honest but also safe response.
The first words that come to my brain are hot and big dick energy. I pause. That’s not the right response, and I could probably learn a lesson from that.
My second thought is that you should have chemistry with the guy. But that’s not really appropriate or clear for a fourteen-year-old.
I think about the men I’ve slept with over the years. Which ones of them, if any, would I want my little sister sleeping with when she’s of age?
My pace slows, and a chill snakes up my spine. None of them.
“Have you talked to your mother about this?” I ask.
“I mean, sort of.” She frowns. “She just tells me I’ll know when the time is right and then moves on. That’s super not helpful.”
We sit on totes of my stuff and look at each other. I don’t know what to say or what is my place to say at all. I definitely don’t want to step on Sabrina’s toes. But I have to say something so Bethany knows she can talk to me.
“Look, when you’re ready to have sex, call me,” I say. “And if you’re in the throes of passion—”
She giggles.
“You should still stop and call me.” I smile at her. “Sex can be wild and wonderful with the right person. But it can be a whole lot of headaches and hurt with the wrong one. So when you get to the place where you’re considering it, let me know. We’ll go have manicures and pizza and talk it out. Okay?”
Her face lights up. “You’re seriously the best big sister in the world.”
“I love you, kiddo.”
“I love you, Sara,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck and holding me tight.
If only all emotions were this simple.
“There you are,” Sabrina’s voice rings out from the doorway leading into the house. “I didn’t know you were home, Bethany.”
“Just got here.”
“Go get cleaned up. We’re supposed to be at the Washburn’s for dinner in an hour,” Sabrina says.
Bethany turns to me. “Thank you.”
I wink at her.
She gets up and goes into the house. Sabrina lingers in the doorway.
“I’m going too,” I say, opening a wardrobe box and taking out the first dress I find. “I’ll come back as soon as I can and get the rest of it.”
“There’s no hurry. It’s not going anywhere.”
“Thanks, Sabrina.”
“Of course. See you soon.”
As soon as I’m out of the garage, she pushes the button to make the door descend. It slams shut, sealing against the concrete.
I climb in my car with some of my possessions in the back, and buckle in. As I look down to grab the gear shifter, I notice my phone has a missed text.
Banks: Are you still coming?
A small grin tickles my lips.
Me: I’m on my way.
His response comes immediately.
Banks: Okay.
Me: Did you think I changed my mind?
Banks: After all the begging you did? No.
I laugh.
Me: I did not beg. I DO NOT BEG.
Banks: We’ll see about that.
Goose bumps break out across my skin as I wait for another text. Nothing comes.
“Whew,” I say, blowing out a breath and putting the car in drive. “This is going to be fun.”
Maybe more fun than I imagined.
11
Sara
Maybe I screwed up by not adding that he can’t be shirtless at home because holy fuck. I’ll never get used to seeing him like this.
Banks steps onto the porch as I climb out of the car. If I didn’t know better, I would think he was intentionally trying to fuck with me.
His hair is unruly, like he just woke from a nap. A pair of gym shorts sit lopsided around his hips and highlight the sex lines that are a rarity in real life. They’re usually only visible on Greek statues and Henry Cavill.
“I’ve never had a landlord meet me half-dressed before,” I say, holding tight to the car door.
He smirks. “I’m not changing the way I live for you.”
“I wouldn’t dream of asking you to do that.” Especially when the perks are free porn.
“Do you still have stuff at Maddox’s?”
I shake my head. “No. I threw it all in the car before I went to Sabrina’s.”
He leans against a post by the steps leading down to the sidewalk and, without realizing it, I lean against my car.
A bubble of anticipation flutters in my stomach as reality sets in. I’m staying with Banks Carmichael.
I’m. Staying. With. Banks. “Frigging hot.” Carmichael.
The idea was brought forth last night by Maddox and I only had five minutes to think about it before Banks walked in. But it was quickly put to bed after our little spat, and I began my search for temporary digs elsewhere.
His text this afternoon was a surprise—one that I didn’t think he was serious about until he kept pressing the issue for me to come by. Even when I showed up, I never expected him to invite me to stay. And I expected even less that I would say yes and show up here this evening.