Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Taking hold of her hand, I bring it to my mouth and kiss the top twice before asking, “Will you come see me in New York, Lauralee?”
Her smile is worth the directness. “So formal, Mr. Greene. What happened to Shortcake?”
I chuckle with a slight shake of my head. “I can’t win.”
“You’re winning. Trust me, you’re doing everything right.” Her hand squeezes mine, and she adds, “I’d love to come see you in New York, but only on one condition.”
“Anything,” I reply, kissing her hand once more.
“I can stay with you.”
Leaning over the console, I kiss her cheek, and whisper in her ear, “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Shortcake.”
When I drop back to my side of the car, she’s still leaning back against her seat, with a dreamy look in her eyes that usually comes after her release. This time, it’s for me. Totally worth putting myself on the line and risking rejection.
She says, “If we stay here much longer, Deputy McCall will have a problem.”
I shift into Drive and pull off the property and onto the road again. But I’m not letting her off the hook from my previous curiosity. “As for your earlier suffering.” I chuckle, and ask, “How long has it been?” She hums, and her eyes face ahead as if deep in thought. “I may be jumping to a certain conclusion but one that I have no right to judge, but selfishly, I’m hoping twenty-four days.”
“Why twenty-four—ohhh.” She laughs. “That jump’s not so off because, sadly, you’re right.”
“Do you mind me asking why that is?”
“You can ask anything you please.”
Since there seems to be no embarrassment attached, I ask, “Why haven’t you come?”
She doesn’t avoid eye contact, but I only receive it here and there as she keeps redirecting her attention outside the vehicle. “I don’t know . . .” She readjusts in her seat and then says, “Truth?”
“Absolute.”
“I’ve been struggling in that area, which I’ve mentioned before, but I think you’ve tainted me.” A playful shove to my arm is followed by a nervous laugh. “I shouldn’t have admitted that.”
“It’s okay,” I say, not laughing at all. “I feel the same about you.”
“You do?”
I nod, but then I remember a few times. “Well, almost.”
“Almost?” she asks, her voice pitching.
“Don’t worry, baby, I haven’t been with any other women. But I didn’t have trouble getting off to the memory of you and me together.”
Her shoulders ease, and she sinks into the chair again. “Really?”
“Really. You give quite the show. I love watching you come.” Just when it seems her heart is in my hand, we reach the entrance to the ranch, which puts our time alone on the back burner until later.
Begrudgingly, I slide my hand to my side of the car as we cross through the open gates with large oak trees standing tall on either side. Pretending not to be attracted to her mind and body is becoming harder, making me regret ever agreeing to hiding whatever this is we have going on between us.
I don’t know what’s come over me. The Texas summer heat, the hottie next to me, or that this place has started to feel more like home again every time I visit. Probably all three.
But really, I know the real answer is just one. Shortcake.
Stealing one last glance before we must put on the “just friends act,” I ask, “You ready?” I park the car outside my dad’s house under another oak and crack the windows, hoping to keep the temps inside the car from melting the dash. It’s brutal out today.
“As I’ll ever be.” She pops the door open before I have a chance to even offer.
My sister stands on the front porch, reaching the railing and leaning forward with a huge smile on her face. “Lauralee! I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Your brother talked me into it.”
Christine’s eyes dart to me and then to her friend again. “That was nice of him.”
“Very nice,” she adds, looking over at me. “He drove and all.”
“Hey, Bay,” my sister says, now smiling at me. “Welcome back.”
“It’s good to be back.” I adjust my jeans now that my hardness has subsided.
Lauralee climbs the few steps up to the porch and gives her a hug. Just like family, she asks, “What can I help with?”
“You’re the guest. Make yourself at home, and I’ll get you an iced tea. It’s too hot to be outside for too long without a drink in hand.”
“Baylor?” When I hear my name, I find Tagger coming toward me from the barn. “Come take a look. I moved the car up here. Thought you’d like to see.” When he spies Lauralee, he smirks. The fucking bastard. “You guys ride out together?” He’s going to give it away before I’m ready to explain.
Lauralee laughs. “Hello to you, too, Tagger.”
“Sorry,” he replies, taking his hat off and holding it over his heart like a true Southern gentleman. “Hello, Lauralee.”