Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m thrilled for you.”
She reached out and pinched his cheek. “I bet you are. Your girl is putting down roots here.”
His throat constricted as Lulu used the same words his brother had used recently to describe Nicole. “Where is she?” he asked, changing the subject.
“In the back. I was just heading out for the night. I’ll lock the door behind me.”
“Have a good one,” he said.
“You too. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she said, laughing over her parting words.
Sam rolled his eyes. The Donovan family bred them bold and outspoken, he thought.
He walked through the back and into a small office and caught sight of Nicole changing her clothing. He glimpsed her long legs and barely-there top.
“Hey,” he said, causing her to shriek and pull her miniskirt over her nearly naked body.
“Relax, it’s just me,” he reassured her, wanting to spend time with her.
* * *
Nicole’s heart pounded a thousand miles an hour in her chest. “Oh my God! Aunt Lulu said she was leaving and would lock up behind her. I thought I was alone.”
“She sent me back here to you,” Sam said.
His hot gaze traveled over her and her body reacted, her nipples tightening, her sex contracting.
“Well, I’m changing to go to Joe’s.” She waved her hand at him in a gesture indicating he should turn around.
“Oh, come on. I’ve seen you in less.” His sexy grin merely complemented his scruffy look. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and he only looked hotter.
She rolled her eyes and pulled on her skirt, then added a flowing tank top with ruffles at the bottom.
“You look as good in clothes as out.”
“Thank you. So what brings you by?” she asked casually, feeling anything but. Because she’d missed him. Badly.
He raised an eyebrow. “I came to see you,” he said, as if it were obvious. But it wasn’t. There’d been a sudden distance between them this week, reminding her not to get too attached.
He edged closer, and she breathed in. His sheer male scent wreaked havoc on her hormones.
“It’s been a long week,” he said in a husky voice.
Didn’t she know it?
She cleared her throat. “It has, and I’ve been busy.” She’d returned to her new home and spent the week alternating her time between getting the bakery in order and decorating her house with her own touches. She didn’t have much downtime and fell into bed exhausted every night. Already she knew her life here in Serendipity would be full. But she’d missed him too much.
Considering she didn’t know if he felt the same, and feeling like he’d caused the separation, she wanted him to know she didn’t need him to be happy.
“Lulu and I ordered all our supplies; they’re due in early next week. We’re planning a grand opening and I have to tell you, I have a really good feeling about this.” Not even her worries about them or even the reality of a daily four o’clock wake-up call brought down her anticipation about success.
“I’m glad.” He sounded . . . proud. “Tell me something. While you were busy being an entrepreneur, did you find any time to miss me?” He brushed her hair off her shoulder, and she trembled at his light touch.
For a woman who’d always considered herself independent, it threw her, just how often she’d thought of him. But since he obviously wasn’t pining over her, she’d decided to keep her own feelings locked up tight.
“I might have thought of you every so often,” she murmured.
“Then let me take you out for a nice dinner so we can catch up.”
She wished she could say yes, but she’d already made plans with Macy and wouldn’t blow off a girlfriend for a guy. “I can’t. I’m meeting Macy at Joe’s. I was changing to head over there when you walked in.” She’d thought it would be easier to switch outfits here and walk down the street than to take the time to go home.
“I’m disappointed.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek, his lips lingering. “But my case didn’t wrap up until a little while ago and I had no idea I’d be free.”
Her skin tingled where he touched her, and she curled her hands into fists. If she reached for him now, they’d christen her small desk, and she really did have to go.
“Come by when you get home.” He curled his hand around the back of her neck, his touch electrifying her all the way to her toes.
“It might be late.” Though she doubted it since Macy had to work the next day.
“I’ll be awake.” He tightened his grip and pulled her in for a real kiss.
His tongue slid into her mouth and tangled with hers. Her legs went weak, and she leaned against him for support. Of course that aligned their bodies and awakened her senses, reminding her of just how much she loved him.