Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
I pull out my phone and scroll through emails while I wait for my food to arrive. I wonder what CravingMore does for a living. Does he enjoy it? Take pleasure from it? While those questions circle my thoughts, I’m not sure I plan to ask—at least not yet. Part of me wants to know everything about him, while the other doesn’t because I don’t want to learn information that might change things. I’ve never been intrigued by a man this way.
A few minutes later, I look up just as JT is coming over with my plate. The smile he wears is practically ear-to-ear, and I realize I better like this salmon. The last thing I want is to disappoint him.
“You have to love this, Marsh. Seriously. If you don’t, I’m not sure I can ever speak to you again…and if I do, I’ll never look at you the same.” He sets the food in front of me, and I chuckle.
“Wow…hardcore. You’ve really built up my expectations now, so if I don’t love it, I might never talk to you again, and if I do, I’ll never look at you the same.”
He joins me in laughter, and I have to admit, it’s nice to see him in this space. I’ve known JT his whole life, but since I didn’t live here while he was growing up, it’s always been within the limits of a weekend here, a vacation there, not in day-to-day life like this.
“The green beans are spicy and good, but the real magic is the salmon and potatoes. You have to try each before I leave.”
“Bossy, aren’t you?”
He cocks his brow, then chuckles. “No, definitely not.”
“Well, it seems that way to me.” I open the napkin and pull out the fork. The food smells delicious, the smoky scent filling my senses. The salmon is blackened some but flakes beautifully when I dig my fork into it. When I put the bite into my mouth, I can barely suppress a moan. “Oh God.”
“Right?” JT asks.
“That’s incredible.”
“I told you. It’s my favorite thing on the menu right now.”
I can see why. I finish chewing, then try the potatoes, which are equally delicious. “I guess we’re safe. We can continue talking to each other without any mutual silent judging.”
He smiles. “Glad to hear it. I should get back to work.”
I wave him off. “Go. Do your thing.”
JT heads off while I finish my meal, savoring each bite. He comes back to check on me once, but I don’t let the conversation linger, not wanting to distract him from what he’s here to do.
When he comes to take my plate, he asks about dessert, but I’m full. JT frowns, and I feel like I’ve let him down, a confusing weight on my chest at the thought of it. We’re only talking about dessert here, so it shouldn’t be a big deal.
I give him my card, and when he comes back with it and the receipt, he has a small container with him. “It’s apple crisp, but I promise you, it’s the best apple crisp you’ll ever have. My treat.”
“Thank you…but I don’t want you to have to pay for it.” I try to give him my card again, and he places a hand on my shoulder.
“I want to.”
It doesn’t sit well with me. I know JT struggles with money, but I can see this is important to him. I think maybe he’s trying to thank me again for being here tonight. “Okay.” I put my wallet away. “I’ll buy you dinner sometime.”
“Bet.”
“Bet? The things you kids say.” I mean it teasingly, but his frown says I hit a sore spot.
“I’m not a kid.”
“I know.” And I do, but he’s still my best friend’s son, grown man or not. “Have a good night.”
JT pumps his brows. “Oh, I plan to. I have a date.”
“See? Maybe you’ll be bringing that man home for your dad to meet earlier than you think.”
He snorts. “No. Not that kind of date.”
Is he talking about a hookup? I put my hands over my ears. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“Now who’s acting like a kid?” JT winks and walks away. The strange part is he’s exactly right. And for a moment, I’d had the urge to tell him I have a date as well, but that’s not what it is. It’s not even a hookup. All I’m doing is talking to a man online.
I frown when I realize that feels like a lie.
CHAPTER SEVEN
JT
I’m naked, in my bed, logging in to talk to FulfillingDominance.
My pulse is beating faster than normal, which is silly. I don’t know what it is about this man, how I can tell just from the short talks we’ve had that he will push all the right buttons for me. The simple scene we had together was more…well, fulfilling than with any of the men I’ve met with before. It’s all I’ve thought about since it happened. I’ve been buzzing with electricity all day long in anticipation of our chat tonight.