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)
The heat from his hands sears my hips as he pulls me close, my middle tight against his. Breath rushes from my lungs when he tilts my head up with his fingers. “You’re telling me.” His eyes spark with desire, causing butterflies to flutter to life in my stomach. Leaning down, he kisses me. This time just as quick, but only so he can hold his hand up for the bartender. “Two tequila shots, please.”
CHAPTER 20
Griffin
Cricket Dover is unequivocally the most captivating woman I’ve ever met.
Her laughter is music, her body a map I want to travel every inch. Those green eyes are electric when she’s happy and softer when she’s deep in thought. That smile, though . . . it had my attention the first time I ever saw it. It made my heart ache to leave her behind when I walked out of that hotel room, and seeing it now shining for me, because of me, I’m already too deeply invested in this woman.
I don’t have the strength or desire to take my eyes off her. Me and half of Whiskey’s. She’s owned this bar since the moment she walked in. She didn’t notice how everyone stopped to look at her, how conversations altered to the topic of her entrance, or the way men were about to line up to talk to her. Did I stake a claim? Fuck yeah, I did.
The way she can’t keep her hands off me, she’s done some staking herself tonight. I even caught her giving a nasty glare to Maple Thornton, who works down at the feed store. The crime? Maple had the nerve to look at me. Granted, it was a certain way that gave her intentions a specific direction, but no one stands a chance with me when I’m standing next to the prettiest woman in two counties. I can easily say two countries. And since I’ve traveled so much of the world, I can confidently back that claim as well.
With her arms around my neck, she sways to the right and then the left with her eyes closing as she takes in the music. It doesn’t matter that it’s a line dance. Cricket is happy just slow dancing with me without a care for what’s happening around us. She’s not alone. I don’t even like dancing, but I like doing it with her. She spins away, raising her arms in the air. I swear the world just shifted beneath my feet as I watch her skirt twirl away from her legs. The long strands of her hair are sent flying around her shoulders, but it’s the lights reflecting in her eyes that have me wanting to make sure that light never leaves them, not when she’s this carefree and happy.
Fuck, I’m sunk.
Not sure when it happened because I was blindsided, but I’m in way deeper with her than I realized.
She does a quick toe-tap dance step and rushes back to me. Falling against my chest, she grabs my shirt, laughing like nothing can dampen her mood. “Let’s get a beer,” she says, looking up at me like this just might be the best idea she’s ever had. Just as she pulls away, I capture her around the waist, bringing her against me, her back to my front, my lips to her neck as a slew of giggles escapes her. “Why do I get the feeling you’re craving something else, Greene?”
My hat falls off, but I don’t care, I’m exactly where I want to be—with my lips pressed to her skin. I move higher just behind her ear to steal one last kiss before whispering, “I’ve been thinking about you more than would be considered healthy . . . or legal.”
Her laughter quiets, and she leans into me. Taking a breath, she bends to pick up my hat and turns around. Setting it on my head, she gives it a little tug into place, then admires her work, or maybe it’s me that puts those stars in her eyes. A guy can hope. Arching into me, she says, “I don’t know what you did with that guy I met earlier in the week, but I really like this one.”
Wrapping my arms tight around her waist, I lean over her, ready to kiss those tempting lips once again, but tease by replying, “Same guy. You just get the real version now.”
Her hands brush against my cheeks, and her smile ascends into place. “The real version is dangerous to my heart, Griffin Greene.”
“Don’t worry, Cricket Dover. I won’t hurt you.” I kiss her as a promise to both of us.
This time, she leans back, and says, “I think I need water.”
“Come on.” I take her hand and lead her to the bar to order two cups of water. Cricket promptly takes one and starts sipping. Guess she’s feeling the heat as much as I am. I’m left wondering if it’s this overcrowded bar or the chemistry between us. Though I already know the answer, it’s fun to pretend that she isn’t the best thing to happen to me since the last time I spent with her.