Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
“Can you guys let me fucking talk?”
Finn’s mouth twitches. “Don’t worry about them, sweetheart. I’m listening.”
My stomach does a summersault. Sweetheart. OH MY FUCKING ... I’ve always thought that was the corniest endearment, but holy shit. God. Who even am I?
“Don’t call me sweetheart,” I manage to say, though my complaint sounds as weak as my knees feel. “My followers genuinely care and are invested in my life, and it may not seem like it, but I'm a private person...”
Everyone at the table laughs loudly, and I turn my glare to each of them. Finn is the only one who’s not laughing, but he definitely looks amused.
“I am!” I argue. “I only share what I feel comfortable sharing!”
“She’s not lying,” Livie says, wiping away tears of laughter. “She didn’t even post pictures with Tate this last time.”
At the mention of his name, Damian and Tiago groan and mumble things under their breaths. I ignore them, as usual.
“It’s true. I’m never posting a guy on my grid unless I’m one-thousand-billion percent sure of him,” I say. “I may have to wait until I’m married.” I ignore them and address Finn. “You value your privacy, especially when it comes to your love life, so I think you should think about it.”
Hamilton snorts. “Love life.”
Finn shoots him a look before glancing at me. “I’m aware of the repercussions.”
“All right,” I shrug. I’m not going to turn down this opportunity or what it could mean for the foundation. “Your funeral.”
Everyone resumes conversations, which is a huge relief. I manage not to look at Finn the rest of the time.
Long after we’re done talking about it, Tiago leans over and says, “I’ll go with you if Finn backs out.”
I lift my eyes in time to see his jaw set as he shoots daggers. I don’t know if he can hear what T is saying or if he’s upset that he’s near me. Either way, I can’t fight the warmth that his reaction spreads through me. Something is seriously wrong with me.
“I’m going to grab another bottle,” I say, folding my napkin and picking up the empty one as I push my seat back.
“May I use your restroom?” Finn asks, tossing his napkin on the table as he stands up.
“Of course,” Mom says, smiling. “Josie, show him where it is, please.”
My heart feels like it may burst out of my chest as I head inside. My stomach is coiled tight and every nerve in my body is hyper aware of him walking behind me. We’re quiet as we walk past the kitchen and through the living room. When we reach the hallway and are completely out of everyone’s line of vision, the thick silence between us becomes too much.
“Why’d you volunteer to go with me?”
“It’s for a good cause,” he says, the rasp in his voice causing my heart to ricochet.
“That’s fair, but just so you know, you don’t have to go with me.” I stop in front of the bathroom and turn to him.
“I know I don’t.”
“Okay,” I say, meeting his eyes and nearly losing my breath when I see the blatant lust in them. I swallow and point at the door. “Here’s the bathroom.”
He stares at me for a moment before saying, “I want to see your room.”
I turn my back to him quickly and nearly say no, but for some reason I want him to see it. “You have two seconds,” I say quietly as I push the door open.
He walks in and looks around until his attention lands on my shelves where the trophies and medals are. It's comical seeing a man with a million trophies looking at each of mine—from the spelling bee in third grade to my youth league—as if they hold equal importance to his.
“Impressive,” he says quietly, as he touches the trophy I earned last year.
I snort. “Says the two-time recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy.”
One corner of his sinful mouth lifts as he faces me. “Still keeping tabs on me, Josie?”
My heart skips even as a wave of heat rocks through me, though I’m not sure if it’s annoyance or something else. “Don’t call me that.”
He lifts an eyebrow.
I let out a breath and start ushering him toward the door. “You need to get out of here.”
“Why?”
“My mom’s old school. She still doesn’t allow guys in my room.”
He stops walking and turns around. The look on his face makes me take a step back.
“Tiago was in here earlier,” he says, his voice so low and quiet it’s impossible not to think he’s upset.
I stare at him for a moment and laugh. “Seriously?”
He doesn’t look a bit amused. “Are you hooking up with him?”
“That’s none of your business.” I turn around and walk to the small vanity. “But what if I am?”
I gasp when he wraps an arm around my middle and pulls me against his hard chest. He presses a kiss so soft and gentle to the back of my ear that I shiver violently in his arms. He makes a sound of approval in the back of his throat and licks the spot, sending a wave of heat between my legs.