Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Rob shook his head in undisguised amusement. “A pizza war. That’s a new one. And how does that work? Are there rules in a pizza war, like…only five pepperonis on each slice or a quarter cup of mozzarella and it has to be from a specific region in Italy or—”
“Funny. Very funny. Hey, I came tonight ’cause I was curious. I’d hoped you’d done the right thing, but no, you actually made the pizza bagels.”
“So what? You’re not gonna bully your way into setting my menu. Nice try, but I don’t work for you.”
“It’s called common fucking courtesy,” I growled, stepping into his space. “It’s called not being a jackass.”
Rob’s lips twisted unpleasantly as he nudged the toe of his shoe to mine. “How am I the jackass here?”
“You’re openly competing with an established business in a small town. That’s fucking hostile.”
He knit his eyebrows fiercely. “I’m making fucking bagels. Bagels don’t compete with pizza.”
“Until they do,” I countered.
Geez, his eyes were the clearest shade of blue and his lips were full and— Oh, no. No hate-lusting allowed.
“You’re out of line or out of your fucking mind…or both,” Rob huffed.
“Right…to you, this might be a joke. To us, pizza is a legacy that my family has carried on for generations.”
He rolled those fucking pretty eyes. “I never said or insinuated that this was a joke. But I will say that I wouldn’t have asked Amber to come up with new pizza recipes if you hadn’t basically challenged me to do it. So now…you bet your ass I’m making these bagels.”
“Really? That’s your solution? That’s your…”
My voice trailed off. What was I talking about? He was too close now, too distracting. And he was looking at me funny…like he was hungry.
Neither of us said a word, but something was happening. I could feel it in the air. A quiet before a storm.
Next thing I knew we were diving for each other, our mouths colliding in a greedy fusion.
One of us gasped. Probably me. I was fucking shocked by the ferocity and—Rob was gay or…at least queer? I could ponder that information later.
Right now, I was under attack in the sexiest way possible.
I tilted my chin as Rob thrust his tongue inside. And suddenly, we were off to the races—my fingers in his hair, his fist clutching at my shirt as we made out.
I couldn’t think, and I could barely breathe. It was as if there were a system malfunction and I no longer had control of my body. This was all instinct—hot and hungry. I wanted to tackle him, own him. I wanted—
Rob broke the kiss and pushed away from me.
We stared at each other in obvious confusion.
He blinked as if in a daze. “I—you. I didn’t know you were…”
“I am.”
“Gay? Bi?”
“Gay,” I confirmed. “You too?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m not gonna tell anyone, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I assured him in a softer tone.
“No, that’s not it. I’m out. I mean…not all the way out, but it’s in the works.”
I cocked my head curiously. “In the works?”
“According to my agent, if I intend to come out publicly, I should tell the story myself and avoid giving someone ammunition to use against me. ‘Pro linebacker, gay…read all about it.’ ” Rob shrugged uncomfortably. “I’m not sure who’ll care, but I’ll do it…when I’m ready.”
“Oh.” I shoved a hand through my hair. “Well, I’m out. The people who matter know, anyway. I stopped worrying about the rest of the world a while ago. I’m not a football star anymore. I’m just a boring guy who works in the family business. The same business you can’t decide if you want to crap on or shamelessly copy.”
“Oh, my God. Has anyone ever told you that you’re very fucking difficult?”
I widened my eyes comically and gave a self-deprecating shrug. “Once or twice. But you’re the one playing the big-shot card.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Mr. NFL, Great H alum. And like a true kiss-ass, you even named your store after the college. Then you emphasize your coolness with a few jerseys on the wall and oh, so slyly put a pizza on your menu. C’mon, Vilmer. The only thing I like about you is the part I just found out.” I gave him a heated once-over, lingering on his crotch.
Yeah, I was being a dick, but I didn’t respond well to surprises and this was a big one.
Did we really just kiss?
“Same,” he grunted. “But maybe we should talk about—”
“No. No talking. Whatever that was…didn’t happen.”
“It was a kiss.”
“Didn’t happen,” I repeated. “In fact, the only thing that happened was that you started a war. It’s on, Vilmer.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he called after me.
Fuck if I knew. I was spouting gibberish and digging a nice hole for myself. The only thing I could be proud of was that I’d shown some restraint and hadn’t grabbed a bagel bite to go.