Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 23860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“Hmm,” I say against her lips before giving her one last kiss. “I think this one is my favorite too.” She’s blushing furiously as I stand from the table and hold my hand out to her. “Let’s go get some books, shall we?”
I decide to grab the frozen drink she likes and sip on that in case she finishes her hot drink and wants this one. We discard the rest, and just when we step outside, someone calls my name.
There are several bookstores in this part of town, and there’s one right beside the coffee house. This particular street is always busy, so it’s not unlikely that I could run into someone I know. Looking back, I don’t see anyone I recognize, but then I notice a woman waving at me.
“Who is that?” Audrey asks, and I notice something’s changed in her voice.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly as the woman comes closer.
“Hey, Phillip.” When she tries to hug me, it’s a knee-jerk reaction to lean away from her like she’s on fire. I don’t like people touching me. Ever.
Without thinking, I pull Audrey so close she’s tight against my side. “Do I know you?” I ask her, and the woman looks confused.
“It’s me, Rachel.” Her smile begins to dim as she looks between me and Audrey. “You know, from Stellar Communications.”
I shuffle through my mind and realize that’s the company I used to procure some old tech that a client of mine needed. “Oh. Good to see you.” My voice is monotone, and when I try to take a step back, I somehow manage to put Audrey in front of me. I’m not really using her as a shield, but more of a buffer. “This is my wife.”
“Nice to meet you,” Audrey says, and for half a second, it sounds like she’s trying not to laugh. Is this funny to her?
Looking down, I realize I’ve practically hidden behind her as Rachel tried to come closer to me, so okay, maybe I am using her as a shield.
“You too,” Rachel says slowly before looking between us.
“What’s that?” I ask Audrey. “You want to go? Okay yes, sorry we’ve got to run.”
Before Rachel can say another word, I’m dragging Audrey out of there and into the nearest bookstore.
Chapter Nine
AUDREY
I have to bite the inside of my cheek to hide my goofy smile. In the short time I’ve known Phillip, he’s never been flustered, and yet somehow this woman has utterly unbalanced him. So much so that he couldn’t remember her name.
“What section should we hit first?”
“Romance,” I respond without hesitation, and Phillip gives me a smile that makes my insides melt.
I’m not sure what to do about him. I worry that maybe because I’m not used to being with a man that I’m latching on too quickly. There’s something about him that makes me want to cling when I should be trying to get out of the state.
“What kind of romance are you looking for?”
“I...ah...I’m not sure. Are there types?” I think about it for a second and then blurt out my first thought. “Sweet?” It comes out like a question, and I have no idea why.
“Is that really what you want?” Phillip pulls me tightly into his side.
“I’m not sure,” I admit.
Could what he did to me this morning be considered sweet? He was possessive and needy when we were in bed. He was pushy, and I might even call it out of control compared to how he is most of the time. He took what he wanted, and perhaps that should bother me, but in the heat of the moment, it turned me on. I’m finding I enjoy it when he takes over.
It was so different from how he is now, and I’m not sure what to make of him. It’s confusing because I ran from a controlling life, but with Phillip, it’s different. He’s trying to please me at the same time, and although I’m not sure why, I don’t want him to stop. Any time I start to feel out of sorts, he pulls me back into him with his words and actions. He has a way of always calming me. There’s a softness to his eyes that I don’t see when he’s with anyone else.
Phillip’s hand comes up to cup my cheek, and I lean into his touch.
“What do you want?”
I want to say that I want him, but I can’t bring myself to voice the words. I’m still too shy. What game is this we’re playing and why? What could be his end goal?
“You’re my husband. Shouldn’t you know?” I toss at him, and of course he doesn’t back down.
“I just want to make sure I’m not missing something you need.” His hand slips up my jaw before his fingers sink into my hair. He tilts my head back, and it’s an order to bend to his will as I part my lips and his tongue slides inside. Without hesitation I give him what he asks for, and he kisses me like he needs me to breathe.