Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
“Night, baby.”
“Night.” I cuddle closer and close my eyes as I feel his lips press against the top of my head.
Despite being exhausted, I lie there awake for a long time, just listening to him breathe and the sound of his heart beating steadily against my ear, thinking about how right it feels being with him. It makes me wonder if I hadn’t decided to move home, would we have bumped into each other at some point and been drawn to each other enough to want to explore things? Or did we need everything that’s happened in order to push us past our reservations?
I’d like to think we would have wanted to explore things even without the situations that kept pushing us together, but I think there was something bigger than the two of us at work. And whatever that was, it knew we needed a reason to spend time together, to get to know each other, and to realize that we actually liked each other—or more-than-liked each other.
CHAPTER 24
Olivia
With rain suddenly splashing against my windshield, I flip on my wipers and wait for a huge truck to pass me before I turn onto the two-lane road that leads to town. This morning, I left Bax’s house later than I should have, after he and I had a shower that left me with no choice but to blow out my hair that had gotten wet.
Not that I regret that shower. I might have gotten my hair wet, but the two orgasms I had were worth it.
Noticing a figure dressed in black walking on the side of the road, I cringe when I see the side mirror of the truck in front of me come within inches of hitting them. With no sidewalk and barely a shoulder, I wonder if the person walking realizes they are risking their life. This road is dangerous on the best of days, and today is not one of those days.
As I start to pass them, I go to my left as far as I can without going into the other lane, then glance over, noting that it’s an older woman wearing an apron for the grocery store down the street from the spa. She looks soaked through with rain and absolutely miserable.
Glancing up at my rearview mirror, I check behind me to make sure there isn’t another car coming, then slow and pull over as far as the narrow shoulder allows while still giving her room. As the woman approaches, I watch her in my side mirror. She looks nervous, but I’d probably be nervous too if a car pulled up next to me on the side of the road and I didn’t know the driver.
Hitting the button to roll down the passenger window, I wait for her to get close, then call out, “Hey, are you heading to Publix?”
“I am.” She peers through the window, and I don’t know if it’s because I’m a woman, but she visibly relaxes.
“Awesome, I’m going that way. Do you want a ride?”
“Are you sure?” She looks up when a car going in the opposite direction speeds past.
“Yeah.” I hit the unlock button, and she opens the door, sliding into the seat.
“Thank you so much.” She shivers, holding her hands close to one of the vents as I pull back onto the road. “My car broke down, so I’ve been walking to work for the past few weeks. It hasn’t been so bad, but this rain came out of nowhere.”
“I don’t think the weather guys actually know what the weather is going to be on any given day,” I say, and she laughs. “Do you know when you’ll get your car back?”
“I don’t. I’m staying with my elderly parents, and most of the money I make goes into helping take care of them. But hopefully soon.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I have it better than a lot of people. Plus, this leaves me no excuse to avoid getting in my steps every day.” She laughs, and I smile at her positive outlook—something that most people in her situation wouldn’t have.
“I’m Olivia, by the way.” I glance over at her as I turn into the parking lot for the grocery store, and she smiles brightly.
“Sarah, but everyone calls me Star.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Star. Do you want me to drop you off out front, or...?”
“Out front is fine.” She unhooks her seat belt. “I really do appreciate you stopping for me.”
“You’re welcome, and if I see you walking again, I’ll be happy to give you a lift,” I tell her, pulling to a stop in front of the store.
Once she’s out, she starts to close her door but stops to bend and look in at me. “Olivia?”
“Yeah?” I ask, still smiling.
“I know you might think I’m kooky, but sometimes I get…” She wiggles her head from side to side like she’s searching for the right word. “Vibes.”