Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Too much?” he repeated, frowning at her in confusion. “And here I thought it might not be enough.”
She shook her head, not wanting him to misunderstand any part of this conversation. “It’s too…intimate, Elliott. You give jewelry like this to someone who means something to you.”
He looked affronted. “Of course you mean something to me.”
She sighed in exasperation. “You don’t even know me. Not really.”
His lips thinned in annoyance. “Maybe that’s because you haven’t given me a fair chance. Are you seeing someone else?” he asked tersely.
“It doesn’t matter if I am. This is about you and me, and the fact that I have no romantic feelings for you.” She’d tried to let him down gently, but he refused to accept her words or take the hint, leaving her with no choice but to lay things out in a way he couldn’t misinterpret.
His gaze narrowed perceptively. “It’s Drew Daniels, isn’t it?”
She was startled by the anger in his tone, but held firm. “No matter what is going on in my personal, private life, this isn’t going to work,” she said, pointing back and forth between the two of them. “Not now, not ever. I’m sorry if my parents led you to believe otherwise.”
Georgia stood up, and before he could respond, she quickly said, “Have a good night, Elliott,” and walked out of the lounge without looking back.
Relief poured through her as she stepped outside and breathed in fresh air. She couldn’t deny how good it felt to be assertive and put a distinct end to Elliott’s interest in her. There was nothing in their conversation that left any kind of opening for him to continue his pursuit, though she had no doubt that she’d still have to deal with her parents at some point soon.
Her mother wasn’t one to let something go that she wanted, but Georgia was done conforming to her parents’ expectations. And if that meant an argument and standing up for herself, she was more than prepared to do so.
Chapter Eleven
Georgia stared out the passenger window of Drew’s car and rubbed her palms along the skirt of her dress as he turned into a middle-income neighborhood and drove down a tree-lined street toward his parents’ house. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t stifle the bit of anxiety swirling in her stomach at the thought of meeting his family for the first time.
Drew grabbed her hand and laced their fingers, keeping her from repeating the action once again. “That’s the third time you’ve done that,” he said, his tone amused. “Are you nervous?”
She turned and looked at him, biting her bottom lip, which drew his gaze to her mouth. “Maybe. A little,” she admitted sheepishly. “It’s always a little nerve-racking meeting someone’s family. I just want to make a good impression.”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “My parents are so down to earth and easygoing. Just be yourself, and I promise they will love you.”
With his free hand on the steering wheel, Drew brought the car to a stop along a curb in front of a well-kept house that was beautifully landscaped with greenery and planted flowers. He turned off the ignition and then leaned across the console. The hand that had been holding hers lifted and curled around the back of her neck, and she watched as one of those slow, sinful grins curved his lips.
“There’s something I’ve been dying to do since the moment you opened the door at your apartment,” he murmured in a low, husky tone. “But I knew if I dared to kiss you, we’d never make it to my parents because all I would be able to think about is stripping you naked and having my way with you.”
She shivered as his thumb brushed along her jawline. “I wouldn’t have said no.” In fact, she’d been disappointed that he’d been such a gentleman when he’d picked her up.
His eyes darkened at her honest admission. “Which is exactly why I didn’t do it.”
“And now?” she teased breathlessly.
“Now I want a taste to hold me over until I take you home later.” His fingers tightened at the nape of her neck as he brought her mouth to his, their lips barely touching, which only served to increase her anticipation. “But once we’re alone later tonight, I’m going to fucking ravish you, and do things to you that will make you blush.”
She didn’t doubt that at all. “That’s quite the claim,” she whispered against his lips.
“I assure you, it’s a promise,” he said, then finally kissed her properly, until she was undeniably aroused and moaning at the pure pleasure of connecting with Drew again, when she thought she’d never get another chance.
When he finished, there was a smug look on his handsome face as his heavy-lidded gaze took in her expression. “Anxiety gone?” he asked.