Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 99(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 99(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
I look down at the little terror in question. Pepper rolls onto her back, four paws in the air, playing dead. It’s her go-to defense for when she’s in trouble, and it’s never failed her yet. I glare, but she just lets her tongue loll out the side of her mouth.
“I’m sorry about her,” I say, holding out my hand to help the woman stand. “She’s got separation anxiety and a criminal mind. Are you hurt?” My eyes scan her for injuries, lingering on the delicate curve of her wrist.
Fuck. I’ve caught glimpses of this gorgeous woman around the building. I told myself I didn’t have time to explore a relationship and to forget her. It was easier said than done. This woman has been starring in my dreams for weeks. Now, that I’ve found out who she is, I’m not about to let the opportunity to get to know her slip through my fingers.
The object of my secret obsession laughs, the sound soft and totally unexpected. “No, I’m fine. Except for my pride, which may never recover.” Her hand slips into mine, and holy hell, I almost forget how to breathe.
Her palm is small, warm, and a little rough around the edges. Those calluses are all I can think about as her fingers curl around mine. I want to drag her closer, bury my face in her neck, and inhale the scent of her. God, she smells good. Like vanilla, fresh laundry, and maybe the faintest hint of lemon from whatever cleaner she uses.
I pull her gently to her feet, and the connection between us doesn’t break. Instead, it gets stronger. My chest is tight. My cock is already hard, pressed painfully against my zipper as I stare down at her. I don’t want to let go.
I let myself really look at her. She’s short, maybe five-two, soft curves, and with messy curls that beg to be dragged between my fingers. Her smock is halfway falling off one shoulder, and underneath I catch a faded Def Leppard tee stretched over tits that would fill my palms perfectly. Sweatpants ride low on her hips, hugging her ass like a fucking invitation. I want to grip those hips, bury my face in her neck, and taste the sweet spot beneath her ear.
Her wide brown eyes are so damn expressive, it’s like she can’t keep a single thought to herself. She’s trying to act calm and collected, but her tongue darts out to wet her lips and her hands shake as she dusts off her knees.
I slowly release her hand as she smiles up at me. “You must be Detective Vale.” Fuck. Where the hell are my manners. Grammie Sue would roll over in her grave if she realized I met the woman I’m going to marry and didn’t even bother to introduce myself.
“I am. But please call me Jack.” I try to remember how to function like a normal person, but all the blood has officially vacated my brain and gone south. She’s still staring up at me with those impossibly big brown eyes, and for a second, all I can do is drink her in.
Her lips curve, like she’s already figured out I’m wrecked. “Poppy Lane. I clean your apartment. And, occasionally, get trapped in your bathroom by a dog with no moral compass.”
“Nice to finally meet you, Poppy.” My voice comes out rougher than I intended. “And I’m really sorry about my dog. Why don’t you let me and Pepper make it up to you?” Fuck yes. Brilliant goddamn idea. It kills two birds with one stone. I get to spend more time with Poppy and make amends for what Pepper did at the same time.
“How exactly do you plan to do that?” She stares up at me, lips parted, cheeks flushed. Damn, I want to see how deep that flush goes. All I can think about is getting my hands on her. She tugs her smock straight, but it doesn’t help. Her tits nearly bounce out of that T-shirt every time she moves. I have to clench my jaw to keep from hauling her against me and seeing how perfectly she fits.
“Would you have dinner with us tonight? Pepper will use her toy allowance to pay for it.” Yes, my dog has a toy allowance. And yes, I’m fucking nuts but I don’t care. “We can order in anything you want.” It’s the perfect goddamn solution.
She laughs, head thrown back, and holy fuck, I want to hear that sound every goddamn day for the rest of my life. “You’re forcing your dog to buy us dinner?”
I step closer, crowding her against the marble counter, and watch her eyes go wide. She’s not running. Hell no, she’s leaning in, licking her lips, and my cock is so hard, it might tear through my zipper. “Pepper’s very generous. And she feels terrible for trapping you in the bathroom all afternoon.”