Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“I like the way you say my name, even if I can’t do anything about it.” Her eyes blaze with heat, watching as I adjust myself, trying to give myself more room, not that it would do any good.
“You’re the one who keeps saying you can’t. I’d be more than happy to hear you moan my name this time around.” Her words do nothing to combat my current predicament.
“Later, once I’ve got you fed.” Her eyelids flutter almost to a close before they open again, beckoning me to make good on my promise. And I will, soon, maybe even tonight. “Come on, temptress.” I pull her closer, open the door, and guide us inside. The chef working the evening shift nods his head in the direction of the booth tucked away in the corner that Coop and Gia usually sit at when they need a meal away from the customers. Cooper did me a solid tonight, which means I’ll have to do him a solid and let Gia know what’s going on. That man can’t keep a single thing from his wife. Especially when it involves me and my potential love life. Gia’s been trying to set me up with friends throughout the years. I even went on a few of them—dinner, movies, a hookup once or twice, nothing substantial to keep me coming back. I finally had to tell Gia she had to stop. It got awkward when the fun was over. One of her friends would be at a cookout, and she’d try to get another date out of me when clearly, there wasn’t anything that made me think it’d be a good idea.
“Wow, Mr. Gaines, you really outdid yourself.” I hold my hand out for Josie to take her seat inside the u-shaped booth, then slide in beside her, my eyes laser-focused on the way the skirt of her dress slithers up with each movement.
“Only the best for you, Josie.” The menus are at the ready, as are glasses with a pitcher of iced water, and soon, they’ll bring bread and a dipping sauce Gia and Cooper came up with.
“And now he’s giving me all the lines,” she teases right before the waiter makes his presence known, asking for our drinks order.
“Not a line, babe. The truth,” I tell her once the waiter leaves. My hand finds hers, and I lace our fingers together, pulling it onto my lap, looking in her eyes so she can see the honesty in my words. Josie’s blonde hair is down around her shoulders in soft waves. Gone are the clothes and paint she had on her body when she opened the door. A quick shower while I finished out a few measurements, and she was ready to walk out the door not even twenty minutes later.
“Yeah, I think I’m finally getting it. You, Trace Gaines, are something I was never prepared for.” If it weren’t for the fact we’re both hungry, I’d have a completely different kind of meal tonight, one where Josie’s legs are spread, my head buried between them, and I am getting my fill of her taste on my tongue.
“The feeling’s mutual.” I dip my head, lips grazing hers, and wouldn’t you fucking know it? The waiter chooses that time to interrupt us just as I’m about to deepen our kiss.
17
JOSIE
I pulled three all-nighters, sleeping minimally during the day, getting back up and finishing all the projects necessary to get ahead. Somehow, between all the work I did, I worked on the bathroom, too. Luckily, a second coat of primer wasn’t necessary. A quick roll and brush of the chosen paint color, then it was done. It also gave me the creativity I needed to work my ass off, finishing everything for the week in time for the weekend. Last night was my first full night of sleep. I conked out the minute the sun went down Not even the tree branch hitting my window woke me up from my deep sleep. I didn’t wake up till well after the sun rose. Sleeping through three missed calls—my dad, my mom, and Trace. Along with a good-morning text that had me smiling.
Trace: Good morning, babe.
My body flutters at seeing his name on the screen. We’ve both been busy with work—him working at Cooper’s and building cabinets in his garage, me with my design business. We still carved out time for a few phone calls, for him to stop by on his way home, kiss me senseless, then head right back out. I tried to keep him longer, but he’d shake his head, smack my ass, tell me to get back to work and that the weekend would get here fast enough. Which it has and why I’m hurrying through my morning routine of washing my face, moisturizing, putting on sunscreen, brushing my teeth and hair before throwing it up in a messy bun. I tie one of my floral scarves around my head, all while thinking about how to respond to Trace’s text or if I should call him. The time on my display is giving me the answer I need. Message it is. He’s more than likely at Cooper’s. Our dinner the other night was phenomenal, the steak so tender you could practically cut it with a fork, and the best I’ve ever had in my life. We won’t tell my dad about that. He’d bar me from the house and any dinners until I took those words back.