Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 111165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“Okay,” I tell him as I get back up. “Almost done.”
Without thinking I grab the zipper from down near his crotch and pull it up all the way to his chin.
I’m so close to him, I’m not breathing.
I pause, wondering if I’m too close, and glance up at him through my lashes.
He’s staring at me with an intensity that makes my blood run hot.
“Now would be the perfect time to kiss you,” he says, his voice low. Shivers cascade down my back like I’m stepping into a warm bath.
Holy shit.
I swallow hard, unable to find my voice.
We’re inches apart.
Heat is climbing between us.
His eyes aren’t leaving my lips. I’ve never seen him look at me like this before, this rawness that makes my thighs clench together, trying to still the pressure building inside me.
The tension is fucking unbearable, wrapping around us tighter, hotter.
He’s going to kiss me.
Don’t ruin it.
But then I say, “Don’t you have to consult your Magic 8 Ball about this?” I let go of the zipper and take a clumsy step backward.
Moment. Ruined.
Laz doesn’t look too impressed. I expected him to smile but he looks vaguely annoyed more than anything. “I can if you want,” he says evenly.
I look away, chiding myself for making it all weird, and pick up the beekeeper hat and veil, shoving it into his hands. “Here. Put this on.”
He eyes it. “If this wasn’t part of the uniform, I’d think you were trying to tell me something.”
Well he definitely can’t kiss me through that thing. Added bonus.
“Wear it,” I tell him as I pick up my jacket and slip it on.
“Hey, how come you don’t have to wear the full suit,” he says as he awkwardly fumbles with the hat, turning it around and around. He has to zip it to his suit collar but I don’t dare go near him again, even with that veil between us.
“Because my jeans are good enough protection. I wouldn’t wear anything if I trusted you not to lose your shit.”
“I’m not going to lose my shit.” He fiddles with the zipper until it finally secures his hat in.
“Right,” I tell him, happy that the weird sexual tension between us has momentarily dissolved. I pull on my hat which is already attached to the back of the jacket like a hoodie and drag the veil across my face.
He’s smiling at me, his face slightly fuzzy because of the mesh.
“What?” I ask.
“I just had an image of you on your wedding day.”
“Oh?” My heart stills.
“Wearing a dress made out of bee suits with that exact same veil.”
“Very funny.”
“It is funny.” He throws out his arms. “Look at us. I feel like we’re astronauts in a fifties B-movie. Or should I say, bee-movie.”
I giggle. “Like we’re in This Island Earth,” I agree, one of our favorite movies that Mystery Science Theatre 3000 has gotten their hands on. “Did you know that actor who plays the main dude, Cal, his name is Rex Reason?”
“Rex Reason,” he muses. “That should be my next stage name.”
“Or you could save it for the fourth date.”
“Fourth date?” he looks at me in surprise. “I didn’t know there would be one.”
Am I jumping ahead of myself here? Probably.
“Oh well I just figured after date number three we could try again with new personas, you know, since eventually we have to tackle what’s wrong with you. Aside from the Magic 8 Ball making all your life’s decisions for you.”
“Don’t make me regret telling you that,” he says.
“Don’t make me regret telling you I’m a virgin.” I walk over and nudge him with my elbow. “Come on, let’s get this started.”
We head across the lawn to the first of the two hives, the girls shooting in and out. A few guard bees come out to inspect us as we get closer and Laz stops dead in his tracks, eyeing one as it buzzes at his veil. They’re having a staring contest.
“What do I do?” he whispers.
“Just act calm,” I tell him.
“They smell fear don’t they.”
I roll my eyes. “No. She’s just checking you out. You should be flattered.”
“Uh-huh.”
I grab his arm and pull him toward the hives. “She knows we mean no harm. This is her job, she’s a guard bee. Show some respect.”
“Oh bloody hell,” he mutters as we’re right at the hive now and the bees are swarming all over us as they go on their way to and from the hive. “This isn’t fun, you know that? People actually pay to do this?”
He’s borderline shrieking. I have to admit, it is fun seeing this big buff rock n’ roller with his tattoos and piercings freaking the fuck out over my girls. I’d say I’m surprised we haven’t done this more often but then again, I’m not.
“Not a lot of people pay,” I tell him, placing my fingers on either side of one of the bars. I’m about to lift it up and expose the comb and bees inside but I wait. I have a feeling it’s going to freak him out and for now I just want him to listen. “But that’s what I want to change. This could be a fun and unusual date night for some people.”