Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
“I don’t know, okay!” I finally blurt out, frustrated. Why does it feel like there is a pressure pushing in every direction? I can't come up with answers for my actions or nonactions at this point.
"Hey." Kaden's hand comes up to cup my cheeks. “I got you, Kitten.” A rush of emotions fills me. He’s got me. I stare into his eyes, and I can see how serious he is.
“Why?” I whisper the question.
“I don’t think you’re ready for all that yet.”
“I’m ready for anything,” I counter, making him smirk. Why does that smile have to be not only charming but also playful? Kaden has a way of making light of things. It’s lessened the pressure that seems to always be pushing in around me.
“I know you are, but maybe I enjoy making things easier for you.” My eyes drop to his mouth. “You want a kiss?”
“Why do you think that?” I pull my eyes away from his lips, knowing I was busted.
“You want me to just take it? I’ll do that for you, Kitten.” Yes, my mind screams. His thumb strokes my bottom lip.
“I’m done with all these questions,” I huff, making that smirk of his turn into a full-blown smile. “You always do what you want anyway.”
“Baiting me?” He lifts a brow playfully.
“No, I’m—” His mouth comes down onto mine in a hard, claiming kiss, letting me know he’s not playing at all.
Chapter Twelve
KADEN
Frankie looks adorably pink when she slips out of the pantry. Her mama’s sharp eyes don’t miss a thing, but she pretends like her daughter and her daughter’s fake fiancé weren’t making out before the main course was served.
Dinner goes by quick, and soon Mama Lodato is saying goodbye. This time when she goes in for a cheek kiss, I don’t flinch.
She pinches her da-ughter’s cheek and says, “Don’t do anything I would do,” and then disappears, leaving behind a cloud of perfume.
“Sorry again for Mom popping up unannounced.”
“It’s all good.” I pick up the plates and stick them in the dishwasher.
“She liked you.” Frankie follows behind with the glasses.
“I was nervous as hell.” I wipe down the table.
“That was partly why she liked you. Kaden Gunner, famous quarterback, was intimidated by little old Maria Lodato.”
“Intimidated seems like an overreach.” I toss the paper towel into the trash and then grab a bottle of wine. “Want some?”
“I should go.” She looks toward the door.
“Now who’s intimidated?” I step toward her. The kiss in the pantry wasn’t enough for me. It was barely an appetizer. I need something more to feed the hunger growing inside me.
“It’s recognizing and playing to your strengths, and in this case, it’s not being around two hundred pounds of pure American beef.” She reaches for her purse, but I’m quicker than her, and I grab it first, tossing it into the living room, where it lands on the sofa. She pivots toward it, and that’s when I grab her and haul her into my arms.
“I’m glad you think I’m hunky.”
She wriggles in my grip, but I’m way stronger, and I easily carry her down the hall to my bedroom.
“I never said you were hunky. I said you were—”
“An irresistible piece of meat. That sounds like hunky to me.” I flash her a grin, which doesn’t result in her turning into a puddle of pliable female flesh.
Instead, she rolls her eyes and tries a different attack. “You’re disobeying my mom. She said not to do anything she would do, and being carried off into some random man’s bedroom is definitely something she would do.”
That gives me pause, but I don’t want to push this with Frankie. It’s a tender spot for her.
“Men who listen to their mamas are down on the bottom of the attractive meter. Women like rebels and thieves.”
“Since when?”
“The beginning of time.” I kick open my bedroom door and walk over to the big recliner situated in front of a massive TV.
“Why does your bedroom look like a game room?”
”Because it’s where I like to have fun.” I drop down in the chair.
She tries to escape, but I hold her in place, swinging her legs over one arm and wrapping my arms around her torso.
“I can just about imagine,” she says, and this time, her tone is slightly frosty.
“If you’re envisioning me playing FIFA soccer against some NBA players, then you’re spot on.”
“How much fun have you had with other women in here?”
Very frosty.
“Zero.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“My body’s a temple, Kitten. I’m not offering it to random people.”
”But you’re offering it to me.” She points to herself as if she’s not worth the whole world.
“Exactly. You’re not random. You’re fiery, bold, forthright Frankie. A great friend. A great lawyer. A great daughter. You’re everything.”
She blinks a few times, rendered speechless, and then pushes out of my embrace. “I need to leave.” She thrusts her hands through her hair. “I can’t deal with this. You need to take this back.” She tugs at the ring on her finger.