Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Beck’s lips curved, and he nodded. “Sounds like it was a good call.”
“I could probably eat,” I mumbled as he tugged me off the bed and kept hold of my hand as we walked into the hallway.
My gaze darted around the clubhouse as we made our way downstairs and into the lounge. I was surprised by how tidy everything was. With the black leather couches, pool table, big-screen televisions, poker table, and bar, the open space had a masculine vibe, but it was tempered by feminine touches like the red pillows and throw blankets on the couches.
The kitchen was empty when we got there. And huge.
Beck grabbed a container from the fridge, handed me a fork, and pointed at the nearest table.
I sat, and he set the food in front of me. I dug into the Italian pasta salad before I could overthink it. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until the first bite hit my tongue.
My skin tingled and heated, feeling his eyes on me.
“You’re watching me eat,” I muttered between bites.
He grabbed a couple of Cokes from the fridge, popping the tab on one before handing it to me. Then he dropped onto the chair to my left and flung his arm over the back of mine. “I like seeing you in my space, enjoying something I gave you.”
“Oh.” I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so I shifted my focus back to the food.
A thought occurred to me, and I swallowed my bite before asking, “Will you take me back to get my car tomorrow?”
I wasn’t excited about being away from Beck, but I didn’t want to be clingy. And I couldn’t leave my car in the hospital parking lot too long or it would be towed.
“Car’s already here, baby.”
I swiveled my head around to stare at him in surprise. “How did—”
“Eat, baby,” he murmured, pushing the food closer, his expression making it clear that he wasn’t open to talking until I’d filled my stomach.
When I was done, Beck took the empty container from me and tossed it in the trash. He didn’t ask if I was ready to go back to his room—just tilted his head toward the door.
I followed without a word, too tired to argue and too aware that every step brought me closer to a bed I very much needed.
I lingered in the doorway, unsure what to do now that my stomach wasn’t screaming for attention.
“Get some sleep,” Beck said, crossing the room to grab a laptop off the desk. “I have work to do.”
I probably should’ve asked if what he had to do was connected to the community center, but now that my belly was full, I was feeling the adrenaline crash. “Okay.”
He quirked a brow. “You definitely need some rest if your sass is gone.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry, it’ll be back.”
“Good.” He captured my mouth in a deep kiss that left me weak in the knees before stalking over to the closet to grab a big T-shirt that he tossed to me. “You’ll be more comfortable in this.”
“Thanks.”
It was still light outside, but after he left, I used the en suite bathroom to get ready for bed. Then I sent a quick text to my mom.
Me
Hey, I won’t be home tonight. Staying with a friend.
Since she always complained about me being too serious, I wasn’t surprised by her reply.
Mom
Thanks for letting me know. Have all the fun!
With that done, I walked over to the bed and climbed in, curling on my side with the blanket pulled tight around me. The sheets smelled like Beck—warm and clean, with a hint of something woodsy underneath. It brought more comfort than it probably should when I’d only known Beck for a day.
I thought I’d lie there for a while, eyes wide and thoughts racing. But my body had other ideas. I was asleep before I could second-guess it.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when I woke up warm. Like really warm. And my whole body shook as if I were on the brink of exploding.
I felt something hot against me and immediately tried to push closer, my hips rotating to hit just the right spot between my legs. Then my eyes fluttered open to meet Beck’s hazel ones looking down at me. I blinked hard, trying to pull away, my body heated for a whole different reason now as I tried to hide my face flushed with embarrassment.
“Having a good dream, baby?” He pushed my hair out of my face, even as I tried to bury my head in the blanket.
His fingers slid under my chin, forcing me to meet his heated stare. “You don’t need to be shy with me, Lindsay.”
I bit my bottom lip, trying to look away, but every time I tried, I found my gaze trailing back to his.