Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“Fucked-up?” I raise a brow.
“Yes. Momma needs some alcohol and a good time.” She holds up one of the bottles of wine and looks at Lissie. “If that’s not too unprofessional.”
“I plan to take off these heels and then pass out, but you all go. Have fun.” I squeeze her to me as she tries to pull away. “We can catch up tomorrow,” she says, attempting again to pull away. I look at Morris. “Take everyone to the bar. Put it on my tab.”
Stephanie cheers before they turn to leave.
I release my hold on Lissie, and she places one hand on my arm to steady herself before she lifts one foot and pulls off the heel. She does the same with the other, leaving both on the floor and her feet bare.
“Are you not going with them?” Lissie questions.
“Now, why would I do such a thing when what I want is standing in front of me?”
She gives me a small smile before she picks up her shoes and then collects her purse. “So… where we going?”
I glance at her dress and then raise my eyes back to her face. “As much as I want you on the back of my bike in that dress, I drove my car.”
“So unlike you,” she teases.
“Yes, it’s my other lady,” I tell her.
“Let me guess, your bike is the main lady.”
“Nope. You are.”
When we get outside, she scans the parking lot, and I assume she is looking for my car. But I have a few cars, and tonight, I drove an all-black 1967 Ford Mustang. I’ve had her for a while, and over time, I’ve restored her to the beauty she is today. Nothing will replace my bike as number two, but my Mustang is a sure third.
“Milo.” My name leaves Lissie on a breath as she walks to the car. I open the door for her, and she gazes up at me as she settles in the seat. “I’d love for you to fuck me on it.”
“You don’t have to say it twice,” I tell her, shutting the door and walking around to the driver’s side. I drive like fucking crazy back to my place. As soon as we get there, I get out, leaving the headlights on. I open her car door, and she takes my hand so I can help her out. Leading her to the front of the car, the hood still warm from the drive, I slide my hands down the front of her.
“Are you still mad at me?” I ask, leaning in but not letting my mouth touch her. She’s eager for me to kiss her. I can tell by the way her chest rises to meet mine, but I hover, not closing the last bit of distance between us.
“Yes,” she answers.
“Why?”
“You lied to me, kept something from me,” she tells me honestly. “Why would you do that?”
“Because at first you couldn’t handle the truth. And then it came down to knowing you were better than being stuck in this town.”
“Are you saying you aren’t?” Her eyes narrow, and I lift her chin so our lips are close.
“Compared to you, no. I made you read to me to be around you, and I’d do anything to be around you.”
She blows out a breath I didn’t know she was holding. “Milo.”
I let my hand leave her chin and drag down her body.
“I’m not mad at you anymore, though my heart still hurts.” She pauses, and I lean in to kiss her, but she stops me by pulling back and placing a hand to my lips.
“She didn’t die because of you. And he had to die. That asshole was scum, the way he—” I shake my head at the thought of him hurting her in any way.
“I know. I went to a bit of therapy after, and I should probably go back, but I see now it’s not all my fault. My love isn’t cursed.” Her legs squeeze me as I stand between her thighs. “But you already knew this, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did. Your heart just looked for love in all the fucking wrong places.”
I kiss her. I have to. It’s not a want. It’s an urge I know I can’t stop. I’ve loved her since the first time I saw her, and I will love her for as long as she’ll let me.
Her arms circle around me, and I pull her close. She comes willingly, her white dress sliding on the car as I join our bodies together. Our lips smash against each other, and she lets me take what I need from her without any hesitation or fight.
She was made for me.
And despite this life I never chose, I’m grateful for it.
Because without it, I wouldn’t have had her.
And Lissie is all I have ever wanted.
In this life and the next.