Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Combining the wrong products can cause unpleasant interactions,” I explain.
Nate tips his head. “It’s science and art. You went to university just like I did. Don’t downplay the challenge or the accomplishment.”
“It’s a vastly different skill set, and mine won’t change lives.” I point toward the next door and change the subject. “The bathroom is through there.”
Nate leaves it alone and pokes his head inside the bathroom. His eyebrows lift, but he doesn’t comment. The pink theme is strong, but no other guy who’s been in my apartment has focused on the color, the décor, or my bookshelves.
Nate heads for the last door, which is my bedroom. The one room I hadn’t planned to show him.
I set my wineglass on the coffee table and gazelle leap past him to barricade the doorway. My bedroom is an homage to every princess fairy tale I’ve ever read. He will one-hundred percent make fun of me if he sees it.
His body collides with mine, and I slap a hand over his eyes. “You can’t see my bedroom.”
“Why not? What’s the worst that could happen?” His fingers curve around my mine as he pries them away from his eyes.
I could try to seduce him, and he could reject me, and the next few weeks would be unbearably awkward. I reach behind me and pull my bedroom door closed. “It’s a mess because Rix and I were narrowing down my wardrobe choices for our girls’ weekend. All my bathing suits and pretty lingerie are lying on my bed.”
Nate’s fingers stay wrapped around mine, and his nostrils flare. “Why do you need lingerie for a girls’ weekend?”
I smile up at him, enjoying the dark look on his face. “I like to be prepared for every possible adventure.”
He scowls and clears his throat.
I wish everything about him wasn’t such a turn-on.
“Are you saying that to push my buttons?”
“Do you want me to push your buttons, Nathan?”
“Maybe.” His voice softens. “I bet your lingerie is all pink and lacy.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Yeah, actually, I would.” His brow creases. “And it’s driving me up the fucking wall.”
His admission shocks and emboldens me. He doesn’t believe in love, doesn’t want the same things I do, so hooking up with him will never lead to anything else. He won’t fall for me, and I won’t fall for someone who thinks love isn’t even real. He’s safe because he can’t hurt me. So I needle him. “Can’t stop thinking about that kiss, huh?”
“No. I can’t. I also can’t stop thinking about dance lessons and that idiot ex of yours.” He’s sincere and annoyed.
Our eyes lock, and then drop to each other’s mouths.
I want him to break.
And he does. “Fuck it.”
One second, we’re standing in the middle of the hallway, and the next, I’m pressed against the wall, Nate’s knee between my thighs and his lips dragging along the column of my throat.
“Why do you have to be so fucking tempting?” He groans and bites the edge of my jaw.
“Because the dark is always trying to consume the light.”
He pauses for a moment, eyes on me. “Not inaccurate.” Then he slants his mouth over mine.
I part for him, and we both make needy, relieved noises as our tongues brush. Those dance lessons earlier in the week felt like the best kind of foreplay, but my self-administered orgasm later that night was lackluster at best. I’d been angry for caving in, but I needed the release.
Nate is the most competitive man I know. And that’s saying something because I’ve been surrounded by hockey players and actors for years. I bet he’s just as driven in the bedroom. It suits his personality.
We could relieve some of the tension between us. Maybe then I’ll stop fixating on that damn kiss.
I move his hand under my shirt. His fingers skate up my ribs, and he makes a deep sound of approval as his thumb finds my nipple. It sends an electric jolt through my body that settles between my thighs and comes out of my mouth as a moan.
“Shit, that’s hot.” He rolls my nipple between his thumb and forefinger.
I slip a single digit into the waistband of his shorts. When I’m not met with a reprimand, I pop the button. He’s already hard. Surely we can get each other off without me mentally marrying his brilliant, grumpy, unpleasant, hot ass.
I can touch his dick and not envision walking down the aisle with him. Hell, we made out over a week ago and at no point have I moved him into my apartment. Not even in a dream. I can get mine and not become emotionally attached.
I slide my hand into the front of his boxers and grip his exceptionally generous erection. I shut down any thoughts about it probably being a pretty boyfriend dick. Nate is the opposite of boyfriend material, but he’s excellent fuck-buddy fodder. He groans and squeezes my breast.