Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
There was no hesitation, and I didn’t stop to think if it might be crossing a line until it was too late, until I had my arms wrapped around him tight and had nuzzled my way in.
After a second, his arms came around me, tentative at first, then a little tighter.
He was so warm, and my body buzzed to life under his arms, heart skipping a bit the second my cheek brushed his chest. He smelled like lavender and mint, the scent intoxicating.
Braden went still — and I wasn’t sure if it was because he was thinking about our stupid contract, or because he wasn’t used to someone holding him up for once.
I held him there for a quiet moment before leaning back enough to look up at him.
“You’re a really good man, Braden,” I said.
He looked almost uncomfortable hearing it.
“Your sister and your parents are incredibly lucky to have you.”
“I’m just doing what anyone would.”
“I disagree,” I said plainly. “A lot of people wouldn’t.”
He shook his head like he didn’t believe that.
“So you take care of everyone,” I continued, reluctantly pulling out of the hug. I didn’t move far, though. “You make sure your parents are okay. Your sister is okay. You plan every dollar so they’re protected.”
“That’s the job.”
“Okay,” I said. “But when do you take care of you?”
He blinked at that.
“I mean it,” I said. “You told me earlier I was being too hard on myself about my life. Look at you now,” I added. “You’re doing the exact same thing.”
“This is different.”
“Is it?” I tilted my head. “You’re talking about ten-thousand dollars on a car you’re going to drive for the next ten years. A car that’s newer, safer, and has half the miles. Meanwhile you’re acting like buying it means your entire family will suddenly collapse into financial ruin.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“It’s what you’re acting like.”
He opened his mouth, then shut it again, assessing me.
“I’m not trying to be harsh,” I said, softer, because I realized I had a tendency to cross that line into tough love a little too easily. “I’m just trying to be real. Braden, your sister would want you to have the car you love.”
His expression softened a little.
“Your parents would, too,” I continued. “And it’s not selfish to choose the thing that makes you happy when you’ve spent your whole life choosing everyone else.”
I stepped back and pointed across the lot at the Bronco.
“So here’s my proposal,” I said, crossing my arms with a decisive nod. “Maybe we both try easing up a little.”
He followed my gaze to the car.
“Maybe this is step one.” I bumped his shoulder. “Buy the damn Bronco, Braden. You can afford it. And you deserve it.”
His throat constricted, Adam’s apple bobbing hard with his next swallow. “Why do I feel like I’m about to jump off a fucking bridge?”
I laughed. “Well, choosing yourself when you’re so used to putting yourself last can feel like that. Come on,” I said, linking my arm through his. “I’ll jump with you.”
His nostrils flared, and I would have sworn his eyes misted a little if he hadn’t put his sunglasses back on so quickly I couldn’t be sure. Before I could take a step toward the Bronco, Braden tugged me to wait.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “For listening.”
I nodded. “Thanks for listening to me, too.”
“I’m surprised you told me as much as you did,” he admitted as we started walking.
“That makes two of us. Don’t expect that to become a habit.”
“Back to sex jokes?”
“I was actually just going to make one about christening this sexy new car of yours… what do you think?” I nudged his shoulder. “Back seat, or should I ride you cowgirl style in the front?”
Braden shook his head, groaning a bit as he reached down to adjust himself in his shorts. “Pain in my fucking ass.”
“What? Embarrassed by how often you’ve had to hide your boner around me?”
“You won’t be laughing when I call you on it one day,” he said, arching a brow. “I bet all that talk would disappear the moment I slid my hand up your skirt. Bet I’d find you dripping before I even got you undressed.”
A muscle tightened low and hot in my belly at his words, at how they rumbled low and deliciously dirty out of that perfect mouth of his.
“I pray I see that day,” I shot back.
And I meant it.
Emily
I loved being a girl.
Sure, we faced more than our fair share of shit — lower wages than men, subpar healthcare, lawmakers who didn’t even understand female anatomy trying to make regulations on our body. There were an infinite amount of reasons to be pissed at the system and to continue fighting for women’s rights every day.
And also, there were infinite reasons why being a girl was the fucking best.