Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
I looked around, the eclectic pieces making more sense to me. This was her history. Pieces of her life she kept close.
“My gran was a bit of a fashion plate, and I always loved her clothes. Some of the blouses I wear were hers. Others, I pick apart and sew into new ones. But I loved that period. The lace and silks. The elegance.” She shrugged, peeking up and looking self-conscious. “I know people think I dress funny, but I like it.”
“I like how you dress,” I assured her. “It suits you, and you’re incredibly sexy. You’re more covered up than most of the women in the office, yet you’re a siren, Myers. Some days I can barely concentrate.”
“Oh,” she replied, looking pleased.
“I’m not sure how I’ll concentrate now that I know what the lace and silk are hiding.” I grinned at her. “Never mind the lumberjack outfits.”
She laughed and I joined her, kissing the end of her nose. “Ignore the haters. They’re unhappy, so they want you to be as well.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
“My mother is never happy. Ever. Even when she gets what she wants. It took me a long time to understand she was trying to make me unhappy too. Now, we just argue, and I go on living my life. She broods and schemes. She tires me,” I admitted. “I try not to let her, but she knows how to push my buttons. I see her as little as possible.”
“What about your brother?”
“Stepbrother. He’s a social climber. He’s seen with the right women. Has the right connections. We meet on occasion at a function. Shake hands and smile. That’s about it.”
“What about holidays? Birthdays, that sort of thing?”
“I’m alone.”
She looked stricken, worrying her lip between her teeth. “You?” I asked.
“I go see my dad. He doesn’t remember me most of the time now, but I still go see him.”
“What else do you do?”
“I have dinner with friends. Christmas, I volunteer at one of the soup kitchens, feeding people.”
“So, you’re alone too,” I summarized.
“Not as alone as you.”
“You think there are different degrees of being alone? I think in the end it’s all the same.”
“I’m not sure. Maybe.”
“Or maybe not,” I granted. “But we’re not alone right now.”
“No, we’re not.”
The air had gotten heavier. Deeper. More personal than I expected. I rarely spoke of my estranged family. No one ever asked me what I did on holidays. Or my birthday. And no one ever looked at me the way Myers did. Her dark eyes and expressive face said so much. For some reason, I disliked the thought of her being alone. And she disliked the fact that I was. We had more in common than I had thought.
Still, we were getting in too deep. Too private. I needed to break the conversation.
“Any chance of another sandwich?”
She smiled and sat up, her breasts pink and rough from rubbing against my chest. I reached out, stroking a finger down one heavy curve. Her nipple hardened, and I looked up to see her watching me with hooded eyes.
“Or maybe,” I murmured, leaning close and sucking the nipple into my mouth. “We should try out your bed.”
She whimpered, holding my head close as I teased her with my tongue. “Oh,” she moaned.
“Or here,” I groaned as my cock thickened between us.
“Here is good. Bed after.”
I grinned as I slid my hand between us, finding her already wet. “I like how you think, Myers.”
Chapter Twelve
MAGNOLIA
Ispent Sunday the usual way—errands, groceries, cleaning the apartment, and visiting my dad. He didn’t know me, but he was pleased to meet me, telling me about his wife and little daughter. He assumed I was a worker since I brought him sandwiches. I sat with him as he ate a roast beef one, thick with meat and mayo, exactly the way he liked it.
“You won’t be in trouble, sitting with me?” he asked, wiping his mouth.
“No. I’m finished for the day.”
“You must work in the kitchen,” he mused. “Best sandwich I’ve had here. Not as good as my wife’s. She’ll be along later, and I’ll tell her.”
I nodded, my throat thick. I would never get used to him not knowing me, or thinking he was simply here for lunch and was waiting for his wife. Some days were better. A few, he knew me, but those were rare. But he was treated well here, and it was worth every penny, knowing he was getting good care. At least on days like today, he spoke. Even if he didn’t know me, hearing his voice helped.
I shook his hand as I left, knowing today wasn’t a good day to ask for a hug. I stayed busy with laundry, blushing a little when I found Bane’s missing sock from yesterday. I sat down, looking at it, recalling having him here. Eating sandwiches and talking. Having sex on the love seat, in my bed, even the small shower. The man was highly inventive.