Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
She gave me a dirty look, but I caught a half a smile when she turned away.
Maybe she’s not as pissed at me as I thought.
I get out and she’s already racing toward the door, trying to get away from me, cheesecake in hand.
I catch her by her empty hand just before she gets it to the doorknob and turn her around before getting her jaw in both hands.
“Jason, don’t,” she whispers, looking panicked.
“No kiss goodnight?” I ask. “You mad about that girl, because Bay…”
“I don’t care about that, Jase.” She looks about ready to cry.
“Don’t give it another thought. The only female I’m interested in is you.”
She swallows and looks at me, eyes coasting over my face in a way that I really fucking like.
“Been dying to kiss you since that basement,” I say softly, thumbs grazing her cheeks.
“Well, I’ve got you beat on that one,” she mutters.
And I’m flying high right now because she’s talking in the present tense instead of like she was, as if all her feelings for me are gone. I want to whoop and punch the sky in victory right now that she’s thinking about how long she’s wanted me to kiss her.
“We don’t have to keep waiting.” I lean in.
She backs up and now her back is against the door and I’m no longer touching her face.
“Please let me kiss you.”
She shakes her head.
“No?” I check. “Because of that unfortunate interruption at dinner?”
She rolls her eyes. “What happened at dinner wasn’t a surprise, Jase. I’m sure it won’t be the last time, either, since you evidently sown those wild oats all over the general geographical area.”
“That’s not fair, Bay. Forget her; she means nothing to me. Let me kiss you goodnight.”
“Please don’t,” she whispers.
“Okay,” I say, blowing out a breath and stepping back.
And fuck me, but she looks torn. Wait… disappointed?
She pulls in a big breath and lets it out slowly.
“You want me to bring the books in or should I drop them at our place?”
She frowns and looks unable to make a decision.
“They can stay in the truck tonight. Let me know tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“I have plans for us tomorrow, too.”
“I don’t get a chance to catch my breath?” she asks, looking exasperated.
“Do I make you breathless?” I ask, smiling, about to offer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
“A thousand dollars worth of books, a neck tattoo of my name, and my favorite restaurant? You’re laying it on a little thick, Jason.”
“You just wait n’ see how thick I lay it on you,” I rasp.
Heat flares in her eyes and other places besides.
It sure isn’t easy to hold back. What would she do if I kissed her anyway? Would she pull away? Would she melt?
I talk myself out of it.
“And I’m gonna work hard to keep you breathless. I promise.” I lean closer, close enough to kiss her. I say, “I’ll dream about that kiss tonight. Maybe I’ll get to have it tomorrow.”
“Maybe not,” she counters.
“Tell me one thing,” I request.
“What’s that?”
“Tell me if it’ll be your first kiss.”
Her gaze narrows. “Don’t be cocky.”
“You’re not gonna answer?”
I shouldn’t have pushed my luck.
“How many times did you kiss Chantal?” she asks.
“Don’t think I ever did,” I say with a shrug.
Bailey looks disgusted.
“Don’t remember. Don’t care. She’s in the past. You’re my future, Bay.”
“Don’t be corny. Sorry to disappoint you, Jase, but… actually no I’m not sorry to disappoint you.”
I bristle as I search her face. Disappoint me by not answering or disappoint me, meaning I’m not her first?
“Goodnight,” she says. “Thank you for the books, though we know you were, in fact, trying to buy my affection.”
“No, babe. Thank you. Because I got almost as much joy out of watching you forget your problems while you picked them out as you did doin’ it. Maybe more.”
I step back, preparing to leave, though I fuckin’ hate it and everything inside me is fighting, telling me to take what’s mine, telling me it’ll fix everything. I know better. I know I’ve got to play smart here despite my itchy gums and the way it feels like my wolf is pacing, rattling my ribcage because instinct wants to take over.
She looks at me and seems like she’s about to say something, but changes her mind.
“I have no right,” I say. “No right to be upset if I’m not your first kiss or the first to touch you the way I’m dying to touch you. I’ll get over it because I’ll be your last. You’re my last and you’re the only one that matters. I really want to kiss you, Bailey, but I’ll let it go for tonight. Pick you up at the library at five tomorrow.”
She sighs, looking aggravated.
I turn and leave.
***
The instant I’m out of my truck, I’m shedding my clothes and shifting. My cock hurts. My nuts feel like they weigh a hundred pounds apiece. And my gums are itchy as fuck. I need to run this off. I need to howl at the moon. I need to summon patience. Because there was definitely a minor thaw tonight. I have to take that as a win so I don’t drive back there, drag her home, and rut her until we’re both half-dead from exhaustion.