Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 535(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
I squeeze my thighs as his words come off dripping with something raw and dirty sounding. It sounds like he wants to fill more than a few gaps in my memory. I shake my dirty thoughts off and push my feet forward.
As I get to the doorway, he places a hand on the small of my back. I look up into his eyes and my breath is stolen away. God, he’s gorgeous. The blond soul patch works for him as it amplifies his sensual bow-shaped lips.
I hadn’t noticed it before, but now, as I’m focused and he’s this close, I can take in all his handsome features. Dylan is fine as fuck. His lashes are super long and wispy, giving his blue eyes a sexy, dreamy vibe.
“Phew, I’m ready. That restroom line was killer,” Daliah says as she appears.
“Taegan is with Dimitri and Nashawn; she’ll meet us at the car,” Dylan says.
Daliah looks between the two of us and gives me a questioning look then winks. I chew on my lip, but allow Dylan to lead me out to the car waiting for us.
He opens the front passenger door and nods for me to climb in. Taegan appears with Dimitri and Nashawn and passes me a second duffel as I sit with my gym bag between my legs. She then climbs into the back seat with Daliah.
I watch as Dylan climbs his big body behind the wheel, looking like he has all the confidence in the world. Damn, I didn’t know I had a type. I have never been into guys.
To be honest, something has always held me back from getting into them. It just didn’t feel right. It’s like there has always been someone out there for me who would be worth the wait.
I can’t help thinking that Dylan may be that someone. My cheeks warm when he reaches to place his hand on my thigh as he maneuvers out onto the street.
“Ya can drop me at me car, love. I have an early morning,” Taegan says from the back seat.
“Expect C … Ariel and Chris at the gym in the morning. They’ll be joining. I’ll take care of their paperwork for membership,” Dylan replies.
Looking at his profile, I smile. He’s not sure if Daliah knows my real name and he’s protecting me and Ciarán. I appreciate that.
I cover his hand and give it a gentle squeeze. He glances at me quickly and returns my smile. I can’t help biting my lip and ducking away as my cheeks heat.
“Aye, about time.”
Dylan chuckles and I get the feeling I’m missing out on an inside joke. I shrug it off as the comfortable seat and his hand on my thigh bring me a sense of peace. My lids grow heavy, and I snuggle deep into the warmth of the seat.
Dylan
“Chris has been so excited for his birthday. I’m so glad Ariel was able to win so big,” Daliah gushes for the millionth time as she perches on the edge of her seat.
After dropping Taegan off at one of our warehouses where she left her car earlier, I’m headed to Harlem, where Ciara lives. Daliah has given me their address as she sits rambling excitedly about Ciara’s wins and all she’ll be able to do for the kid now for his birthday.
Ciara sits in the passenger seat, fast asleep. While she’s knocked out, I’ve learned money has been tight for her. She’s not working at the moment and every dime she does have goes toward her little brother Ciarán.
I admire how she takes care of the kid. My brothers and sisters would have done the same for me if something ever happened to our parents. Knowing how much she loved her da, I feel bad for her.
I want to make up for everything she’s lost as much as I can. I glance over at her as I stop at a light. She’s so beautiful. It’s like looking at a sleeping angel.
My fingers itch to trace her hairline or run over her braids. I wasn’t surprised to see her with the cornbraids when I entered the arena, but I was taken aback by how much they changed her appearance. If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t have recognized her at first.
She’s pretty no matter what, but the braids give her face a sharper look. When she walked into my gym with her hair down, her face had a softer look. There was a sort of innocence I remember from when we were little.
After the ass whippings she handed out this evening, the fiercer look of the braids is fitting. I’m proud of her. Those matches weren’t easy, but she made them look like anyone could have won them.
She’d probably be amazing in a regulated fight. I have no doubt she’ll be replacing Cadlha on the roster. After the way we lost that tournament because of her last year, there’s no way she’s representing us this year.