Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
He narrows his eyes at me like he might argue but then decides against it. As he recalls a story of his youth about a “dickhead” coach he had, I listen with rapt attention. His voice is comforting, but I’m also unnerved by it. It soothes my raw chest while simultaneously setting it on fire.
What the hell is wrong with me?
You know, man.
I do know. Earlier, while on lunch, I scrolled through the dating app. Not one woman did it for me. Not a single one. So, out of curiosity, I browsed through men who matched up to me. While I found a few attractive, there wasn’t this visceral feeling I get like when I’m around Riko.
It’s him.
Something about him turns me upside down and shakes me up.
I’ve never felt so scattered and confused in all my life. It feels good. Like life isn’t as predictable and boring as I’d imagined. For once, I don’t know what will happen and it’s exhilarating.
Riko flirts. A lot. I could flirt back, more so than my sad, previous attempts. Hell, I could put the moves on him, and I’m sure he’d reciprocate. I don’t think he’s the type to make fun of me if I totally suck at fooling around with a guy.
It’s a terrible idea, and yet, I fucking ache to see where this could go.
Riko’s not an experiment, though. That’s not fair. Behind his loud, zany personality is someone with real feelings. Men jump aboard his crazy train for the fun time and then hop off when they’re over it. I’m not wired that way. If I get on a ride, I stay for the duration.
Like with Casey?
Look how well that turned out.
I glance out the window briefly, and suppress a grimace when I see Casey and Clara walking the trail. Tearing my gaze from them, I set to cutting the pizza. It smells divine and my stomach grumbles audibly. I can already tell this will beat delivery pizza by a mile.
After tossing an extra oven mit on the table, I set the pizza pan on top and then fetch our plates. By the time I sit, Riko is filling his plate with slices of cheesy pizza.
“I don’t understand how you made this,” I tell him as I grab my own slices. “You’re like a magician in the kitchen.”
He snorts out a laugh as he chews on his bite. “You’re the second person who compared food to magic today.”
“Just speaking the truth.” I take a bite and the savory, gooey melted cheese makes me groan in pleasure. “I love you, Riko Valentine.”
His smile is my undoing. I have to tear my gaze from his to focus on the pizza because I like the look on his face a little too much. It was just a playful way to thank him for his pizza-making efforts, but I sort of feel those words scratching at my cold, dead heart.
“Mom taught me a lot,” he says after he inhales his first piece. “She makes a bunch of bougie shit for her friends and Dad, but when it was just us two, she would make comfort food like this.”
“Remind me to thank her whenever I see her.”
He arches an eyebrow. “You planning on meeting the parents?”
Here we go again with the flirting.
“Yup.”
“We haven’t even had our first date,” he jokes. “My, my you move fast, sir.”
“You called me your hubby last night. I thought we’d moved on to the next level of our relationship.”
Fuck, this is dangerous teasing, and yet, I don’t want to reel it back.
Riko’s joy is erased when he mutters, “They don’t approve of my lifestyle.”
“Meaning…”
“You heard me last night. They want me to marry one of their country club friends’ daughters and pump out a bunch of babies to carry on the Valentine name.”
“Most parents would just want you to be happy.”
He devours another piece of pizza before muttering, “Are yours like that?”
“They are.” I groan when I take another bite. “This is really fucking good, man.”
“I know,” he says, preening. “If you all of the sudden started liking dick and brought one home, they’d be cool?”
The thought of Riko’s dick has me nearly chocking on cheese. I’ve spent the better part of the day trying not to think about it to no avail.
“They don’t care. As long as I’m happy.” I blot at the grease on my lips with a napkin.
“Do I make you happy, Dere-Dere?”
I stare at him, unable to look away. This is all teasing and joking and flirting, but there’s a realness pulsating throughout every word. I feel it. Does he?
“Now that I’m getting to know you, yeah.”
He sobers up and intently focuses on his pizza. Did I say something wrong?
“Linda made a pass at me,” Riko says, his smile returning. “Wants me to be Eloise and Topher’s new daddy.”