Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
She goes around the table, and we all put in our orders. She reads them back to us, before heading for the kitchen.
“Speaking of my dude…” Ellis casually drapes his arm along the back of my stool. “Is he excited for his birthday party?”
Nora groans, which causes Atlas to smile.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, even though I have a sneaking suspicion of what’s upset her.
Atlas nods, but Nora says, “No!”
“Um…” Cara sends us all a pleading look. “Explain.”
“His party is this weekend, and I’m convinced I chose the wrong theme.”
Atlas looks down at her with nothing but love in his eyes. “And I told you, he doesn’t care—about the theme, the presents, the cake, any of it. Kid’s gonna be more interested in the wrapping paper and boxes than anything else.”
Nora’s shoulders slump. “Logically, I know this…”
Reaching across the table, I give her hand a quick squeeze. “Everything’s going to be just fine. Let me know if you want me—”
Ellis cuts me off. “Us.”
I smile and shake my head. “Let me know if you want us to come over early and help set up.”
Nora lays her hand over her heart. “I’d love that, thank you.”
“And I’d love to dance.” Ellis skims fingers along my jaw, drawing my focus to him. “What do you say, Princess?”
“Lead the way, Sunshine.” I stand from my stool and slide my hand into his.
“Pretty sure I liked it better when you called him Jackass,” Atlas grunts, but his words don’t hold the same anger they did earlier. Now, he just sounds mildly disgruntled.
“We’ve been over this—no one cares what you think,” I call over my shoulder as Ellis guides me to the dance floor.
He finds us a spot in the center and pulls me in close, plastering his front to my back. The man moves out here the same way he does in bed, with precision, grace, and purpose. It’s honestly unreal how smooth he is, not that I’m complaining.
“I don't think I'll ever get tired of how good you feel against me,” he says as we move in perfect harmony, our hips rocking in time with the deep, pounding base.
“It's definitely… unexpected.”
He twirls me around to face him, wedging his thigh between mine and pulling me in close. “Is it really, though?” His voice is low as he runs his hands down my sides, settling them on my hips. “I mean, let's be real. We've always had explosive chemistry.”
“True…” I hedge, too distracted by the way his muscular thigh is pressing the seam of my jeans directly against my clit. “It was just misplaced.”
He laughs under his breath, and I swear I feel it all the way down to my toes. Ellis is effortlessly sexy. “That's one way to say it, Princess.” He drags his lips up my neck, nipping at my jaw before drawing away.
“That's my story,” I say, whimpering at the loss of his mouth on me. “And I'm sticking to it.”
“Bet I could get you to change your tune.” He leans back in, hovering just close enough to tease me.
He probably could, too, but there’s no way I’m giving in that easy. “You could try.”
“Fuck, Princess, don’t tempt me.”
I snake a hand between us, wrapping it around his denim-covered erection. “What if I want to tempt you?”
He lets out a rough exhale, that I swear I feel all the way down to my pulsing core. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Scarlet.”
I pop up onto my toes, dragging my lips over his as I say, “I’m not scared.”
He pivots, looping his fingers through my beltloops, all but dragging me behind him like a man possessed as he bobs and weaves around other patrons.
“Where are we going?” I stumble to keep pace with him.
“Somewhere private.” He walks faster, a man on a mission.
“What about dinner?” I ask as understanding dawns. He’s about to fuck me in The Creek’s bathroom.
“Fuck dinner,” he clips out. “I’d rather eat you.”
Except before we can step off the dance floor, the noise of the crowded bar drops away.
Ellis turns back to me and mouths something, but I can’t make it out over the ringing in my ears. My eyes ping around the bar, discreetly checking every darkened corner, as I try to make sense wrongness suddenly blanketing me.
“Scarlet,” Ellis shouts, jolting me back into the here and now. “What’s going on? We don’t have to—”
“I think someone's watching me.”
He pulls me close, resting his chin on the top of my head. “Stay calm, I’ve got you.” His eyes scan the bar, the same way mine did, only I know he’s looking as former law enforcement. “I don't see anyone or anything out of the ordinary.”
“God.” I run my hands through my hair, lifting it off my neck as my entire body heats with embarrassment. “Maybe I'm just paranoid.”
“I’m not saying that. But, given everything you’ve been through, you have the right to be. What do you want to do? You’re in control.”