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)
Another in the group speaks up. “I’m not getting caught out here after dark. The next train is coming. Let’s get to the station before we miss it.”
“Whatever, white boy don’t know what to do with none of that. Your loss, ma.”
I roll my eyes. We’ve been having way too much fun to allow this guy to get under our skin. I turn my face up to look at Dylan.
He still has his eyes on the guy and his friends as he holds me close to his front. His skateboard is between my legs as he has one foot on it. Without taking his eyes off them, he dips in and pecks my lips.
“Y’all get on back to Brooklyn safe. See you around.” Dylan winks at them.
“Yo, how you know—”
“You never know who you’re talking to. I’m safe anywhere I go in my city. Can you say the same?”
“Fuck, I told you to leave them alone. I knew he looked familiar. You one of them O’Briens ain’t you. The one that fights and shit,” one of the others who’s been silent says with wide eyes.
“Tell your brother Dyl says what’s up. I’ll be by to collect my disrespect fee during the week.”
“Aw, man. This ain’t even my fault. Shit. I hate you, Darius. My brother is going to fuck me up,” the kid whines.
“Come on, man. I need to get home. I’m not looking for no smoke,” one of the others says, tugging at the one who tried to give his friend the warning.
They take off. Dylan finally turns his attention fully to me. I give him a smile, but his expression remains tight.
Moving to turn so I can face him, I place my hands under his black T-shirt and run them up his back. A gasp leaves my lips as I graze what feels like a gun.
I look up at him with wide eyes. I thought he was bluffing. I had no idea he had a gun on him. Dylan palms my ass and rolls me closer to him.
“I told you, you’re always safe with me.” He searches my face with his eyes. “Does that scare you?”
“No, I’m just surprised.”
He pecks my lips. “There is a lot you’re going to learn about me and my family. Your comfort level with being around guns should be pretty high. Do you think that’s something you can handle?”
I smirk. “Depends. Do I get one of my own?”
He laughs and relief passes over his face. “We’ll get right on that. You can’t be the only female in the family without one.”
It’s good to see the ease and smile return to his face. Man, he has a temper. His anger had been pulsing in the air.
Kissing his chest, I then place my cheek against it. He wraps me in his arms and kisses the top of my head.
“Time to continue our date,” I say.
He grunts and pulls a sour face. “Come on, let’s catch up with Ciarán. Time to get out of here and it’s time for you to cover up. That’s going to happen more the later it gets.”
Dylan
“I had so much fun. Thanks,” Ciara says as she looks up at me.
She is lying with her head in my lap as we sit on the couch at her place. The TV is on, but it’s muted. We’ve been more interested in each other and our conversation.
I brought her and Ciarán back to their place in Harlem. Finding parking was a bitch. I almost told them to pack a bag so we could head back to my place. I’m not ready to let my girl out of my sight.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Ciarán seems like he had fun.”
“I think he did too. Tired him out for sure. I heard him snoring when I went to the bathroom earlier. That kid never goes to bed this early willingly.” She snickers.
I had a great time with them too. If not for those little assholes, it would have been the perfect date. I’m already thinking of other dates we can go on.
I know I have to plan them around Ciarán. He’s a big part of her life I can’t ignore. Honestly, I don’t want to.
I really like the kid. He’s grown on me. As the youngest, I’ve never known what it’s like to have a little brother.
Ciara is more than his big sister. She’s his guardian. I smile at what that makes me. Finding her again has been more than I expected in a good way.
“What are you planning to do with your day tomorrow? Ciarán has school, what will you be up to?”
“Ugh, no,” she drags out. “I had so much fun today. I don’t want to think about adulting.”
I chuckle and run my hand through her hair. That was a bad move. The semi hard-on I’ve had for the last two hours comes to full life.