Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
She crosses her arms like a shield across her chest, but I see the way her eyes darken with the idea. The hesitation that battles her curiosity. “I don’t know.”
The last thing I want to do is spook her.
It’s slowly that I lift my hand to her face until my fingers can graze her cheek. She doesn’t even realize it when she leans into my touch.
But I do.
I see it.
I feel it.
And it gives me the tiniest sliver of hope.
“Take some time,” I murmur, “and think about it. It’s your choice, Lilah. It always has been.”
Her lips part to say something, but I don’t give her the chance.
I lean in, brushing my mouth over hers just once. It’s barely a kiss. Just enough to taste her. Just enough to destroy every bit of control I have left.
I keep my eyes locked on hers. “If you want this,” I whisper, “I can give it to you. I’ll give you all the pleasure you can stand.”
She goes still.
And so do I.
It feels like we’re suspended in a moment.
My thumb traces the corner of her mouth. “And then I’ll give you even more.”
Her pulse flutters beneath her skin.
Instead of pressing for an answer the way every instinct demands, I force myself to take a step back and let her go.
The next move needs to be hers.
And if she says yes?
She’ll never want anyone else again.
Not after me.
Not after this.
I’ll make damn sure of it.
25
LILAH
Iwake to the faint scent of coffee.
Not the rich, earthy aroma from the kitchen kind of coffee, but the close, immediate kind. The kind that means someone set a fresh cup beside my bed.
Sure enough, I roll over and find a steaming mug on the nightstand. My favorite blend, the one Steele hunted down last week after I casually mentioned it.
I melt.
God, that man.
How am I supposed to make a decision when this is the baseline?
I sit up and then wrap my hands around the warm mug. I’m bombarded with a thousand emotions I can’t even begin to untangle. Because Steele Sanderson isn’t just the guy I’m staying with. He’s become an important presence in my life.
And now he’s offered me something that’s threatening to change everything.
Friends with benefits.
That’s what he called it.
But let’s be honest, I’ve known Steele too long. I’m afraid that if we enter into a casual arrangement, it’ll end badly.
Why would I want to jeopardize our friendship over a meaningless fling?
And yet, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being tempted.
I barely slept last night, my mind refusing to shut off. Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered the way he sounded when he whispered that he could give me what I wanted.
That he’d worship me.
That he’d know exactly how to touch me.
I’d nearly combusted on the spot.
With a sigh, I clutch the mug tighter.
What I need is help.
Backup.
I grab my phone and tap into the group chat with Callie, Rina, and Sloane.
Me:
Emergency girl huddle. Can we meet at Lakeshore Sweets? I need advice. 10 a.m.?
Rina replies instantly.
Rina:
Count me in. Unfortunately, I gotta deal with my problem child first and then I’ll be there.
Callie follows seconds later.
Callie:
Been at the bakery since 5. Come on by.
Sloane:
We’ll have a table and sugar waiting.
I drag myself out of bed, toss on leggings and an oversized sweater, and try to make my hair look less like a tornado. After swiping on a little mascara and lip balm, I slip on my sneakers, grab my bag, and head to the bakery.
Lakeshore Sweets is bustling with activity when I walk in. Delicious scents wrap around me like a hug. It’s cozy and warm. A welcome change from the storm raging inside me.
Callie is behind the counter, helping a customer, while Sloane wipes down a nearby table. I wave, and they both grin before nodding toward the corner table where a giant carafe of coffee and a plate of cinnamon rolls already waits.
Moments later, the bell above the door jingles again. Rina blows in like a hurricane in heels, with oversized sunglasses covering half her face. She yanks them off with a dramatic sigh as she slumps onto the chair beside me.
Callie eyes her. “You look like you could use a large Dirty Cinnamon Hustler.”
Rina moans. “Yes. Immediately. And make it extra dirty, please.”
Sloane snorts. “Let me guess. Oliver?”
“When isn’t it Oliver?” Rina mutters. “That man has zero boundaries and even less common sense. I swear, one more stunt and I’m going to strangle him with his own jockstrap.”
She takes the offered coffee from Callie and sips before letting out a blissful sigh. “Okay, I think I seriously just orgasmed. What did you put in it? Crack?”
Callie laughs. “You’re welcome.”
Rina turns to me with narrowed eyes. “All right. Spill. What’s the emergency?”
I hesitate, toying with the edge of a napkin. “It’s Steele.”