Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“I’m surprised knowing you.” She laughs. I’m thankful for the sound as it cuts through the silence of the night. There’s my fiery little chirp. I’m not sure she knows me as well as she thinks, but she’s definitely onto me and might have me figured out more than most.
I like the easiness we’ve fallen back into together and run my thumb over my bottom lip while studying her. “I have to admit this isn’t my kind of foreplay if this is the angle you’re going with to seduce me, Dover.”
Walking to me, she touches under my chin with her finger. “If I were seducing you, you’d know it.” She flicks her finger off my chin like a match against the striker. Turning on her heels, she leaves flames in her wake. So fucking sexy.
That tight jersey of hers made it hard to look away, but her backside is giving a damn good show of its own. As if she knows she’s left like a dog with his tongue hanging out and tail wagging, she stops and looks back over her shoulder. I’m given a glimpse of a playful smile toying with her lips. “You going to hang around here all night, Greene, or are you going to drive me home?”
“I’m coming.” I catch up, taking her hand like it’s mine to hold. “But you’re making me think twice.”
She doesn’t pull her hand away. Her fingers wrap around mine as she walks next to me, our arms brushing against each other. “Too late. You had your chance. Now I’m ready to pull on some pajamas and call it a night. No offense.”
“None taken. I only have myself to blame.” I peer over at her to catch her nodding. Her eyes connect with mine just as we approach the truck. Instead of separating and returning to opposite sides of the truck, our arms stretch between us with our hands still clasped.
Standing there, neither of us in any hurry, she asks, “Would it be so wrong to make a night of it another time?”
“I like the way you think, Ms. Dover.”
“I’m matching your energy.”
“No doubt about that.” I’ve never met a woman like her. It’s damn attractive. I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her once more, knowing it’s the last time I’ll get to do it tonight. “Listen, I can respect that you have a comeback quip on the tip of your lips ready to fire at the first opportunity.” The way the moon shines in her eyes and her smile is carefree when I’m holding her like this, it tempts me to kiss her again. I’ve been dying to, actually. I don’t because I’m not going to escalate things between us again when we just wound them down. “But instead of teasing, I’d rather kiss and make up.”
She bursts out laughing. Covering her mouth, she mutters, “Sorry. I’m not laughing at you.”
“Considering I’m not laughing, I’m figuring it’s not with me either.” She’s downright irresistible.
“No. No.” She pats my chest. “No, for real. You do make me laugh, but in a good way.” Reaching up, she runs the tip of my fingers over my bottom lip, then replaces them by lifting onto her toes and kissing me. It’s gentle and probably placating a bit, but I’ll take anything she’s willing to give me.
This time when she pulls back, I say, “I’m really trying to be good here, but you make it really fucking hard.” I regret the reference as soon as I say it.
Her eyes go lower, and with a smug little grin on her mouth, she leaves me standing there, growing erection and all, and tugs the door open. She takes a step up and then drapes her arm over the top of it. “Disappointingly, you’re being a perfect gentleman, Griffin.” Only a short distance separates us, but I can see the genuineness. It’s also the first time I think she’s said my name. I liked hearing it from her. “I’m the one stirring things up. Since we’ve slept together before, it seemed like an easy habit to form.”
“Hooking up every four years?” I ask, walking to the driver’s side. I duck inside just as she drops into the seat next to me.
“Giving myself permission every four years.” She reaches away to grab the seat belt, but I’m still stuck on what she just said. Is she saying . . .? Surely not. Maybe? Oh shit . . . Before I can say anything, she adds, “It’s definitely time for me to go home. I don’t make the best decisions when I drink.” She waves me off. “Just ignore me. I’m talking nonsense.”
Cricket Dover is impossible to ignore. Not just because of her beauty, but I’m attracted to how clever she is. Quick-witted and snarky. A slightly dry sense of humor layered under a landing pun. I haven’t smiled this much in a long time.