Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 134830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Lucille starts with a loud rumble, and I yell back over my shoulder, “You ready?”
“Yep,” she calls back.
I slow-roll us down her street, not wanting to piss off her neighbors any more than I already have and not wanting to make Dani any more of a target of Kathy’s ire. But once we hit the stop sign at the end of the street, I gun it for the open road. My bike roars like a beast happy to be let off the leash, and within seconds, we’re up to speed.
First, I take us out to the highway, where we fly. There’s not much traffic for a weeknight, and I enjoy the feeling of having Dani latched onto my back. I even hear her giggle once or twice when we go a little too fast, and not once does she tell me to slow down or squeeze me like she’s nervous. I’m not sure if it’s because she trusts me in this at least or if it’s because she’s got a bit of a wild streak in her that matches mine.
Next, I exit and take us through a row of stop lights until I find our turn. Slowly, town drifts away until it’s only us on a two-lane road with twists and curves that have us leaning together like we’re dancing.
I could do this all night, just ride with Dani behind me like the sexiest fucking backpack ever, her knees at my thighs, her pussy at my back, and her arms wrapped around me, especially as her hands get lower and lower and my cock reaches up, trying to meet her.
But the ride isn’t all we’re doing tonight, so eventually, I direct us to our destination.
When I turn into the driveway, I feel her tense behind me and I pat her leg, then hold up a finger, telling her to wait before she freaks out. But as soon as I park and shut the bike off, she’s climbing off, ripping the helmet off her head and holding it at her side like she might use it as a weapon against me.
“Where the hell are we? I thought we were going out! Did you just bring me someplace to fuck? Seriously? I should’ve known. Men are all the same.”
Her eyes are fiery dark coals and every word is coated in venom as she flings an arm around wildly, gesturing toward the house and me and herself all in one jerky motion.
I grit my teeth as I climb off the bike, not liking her generalization of me with all the men she’s talking about because that’s definitely not what this is and not what I’m doing.
Before I can argue my point, I hear the doggie door on the back of the house swing, and that becomes my priority.
“Incoming,” I warn.
“Wha—"
It wasn’t enough lead time, though, and Peanut Butter runs for Dani first because I’m yesterday’s newspaper as far as he’s concerned. But someone new to demand affection from and trick into giving him treats? That’s his favorite kind of person.
Peanut Butter goes right up to her, his paws landing on her belly right where I’d like to touch, and stupidly, I’m jealous of my own damn dog. “Pee-Bee, get down. Don’t maul her, for fuck’s sake.”
Dani’s still glaring at me, but her eyes soften immediately when she looks down at the dog and her free hand, which I was concerned she might smack me with, turns gentle as she starts to pet him on the head. “Nice to meet you, Peanut Butter. Do you know your dad’s a complete asshole?” She doesn’t baby talk to him, which is the best part. I hate it when people wittle-bitty-goo-goo speak to animals, like they give a shit. Peanut Butter barely has two brain cells to rub together, but he knows what I’m saying when I speak normally, so that’s what I do.
“First off, I’m not his ‘dad’. We’re bros, roommates, and friends. My bestie just has a lotta hair, four legs, and a fluffy tail, but we don’t discuss it because he thinks he’s a person. And second, yeah, he knows better than most that I’m an asshole, but not for the reason you think,” I say, and Dani’s eyes narrow as she considers me. “You wanna hear my thinking or stick with your ‘men suck’ deal?” I ask dryly as I lean back on my bike, my arms crossed over my chest.
She juts her chin out, which I take as a sign that she’s willing to listen.
“You seem real fucking concerned that I know how to take care of myself and aren’t looking for someone to do that.” I pause, giving a chance to correct anything I’ve misstated, but she stays quiet, one dark brow lifting ever so slightly like I’d best hurry up and get to my point. “This is my house. It’s not much, but I bought and paid for it with money from my job with no one else’s help, so it means a lot to me. This is my bike, Lucille, and my truck’s over there.” I point to the side of the house where my big, dusty work truck with a bed full of various tools is parked, the way it’s been for the last week while I’ve been riding my bike to the job site so I didn’t cause this infuriating woman additional undue problems. “Inside, you’ll find a place I clean and care for myself, and a kitchen stocked and ready for me to make us dinner. I figured I’d let you watch me cook so you know I didn’t order takeout and pop it in the oven to sell it as my own work. And that’s my boy, Peanut Butter, who I love with my whole heart. And he knows I’m an asshole, but only because I refuse to feed him treats all day and night, which would be his preference. He also doesn’t like it when anybody other than him talks shit about me, so don’t do it in front of him. I can take it, but he’s sensitive where I’m concerned.”