Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“You think I haven’t thought of that myself? Dude, I’ve been trying to write those damned lyrics for six days. But everything I come up with is lame and stupid, compared to what Ruby’s thinking it says. I’d rather give her nothing than something that softens her lady boner about the whole thing.”
“Something is better than nothing.”
“I don’t think so. Ruby’s a way better lyricist than me, so whatever she’s imagining this dirty song says is a thousand times better than anything I could possibly write. Keeping the mystery alive and letting her continue turning herself on with her own imagination is better than letting her read something that falls short of her expectations.”
“Yeah, you wouldn’t want it to be anti-climactic.”
“Literally.”
“I could write the dirty song for you.”
“No, Savage.”
“A dirty song called ‘Spank’ would be right up my alley. I’m sure I could whip something up in fifteen minutes.”
“I can’t let you write sexual lyrics intended for Ruby—ones designed to lure her into my bed. That’s not only morally wrong; I think that’d legit be a sex crime.”
“Yeah, probably.”
“No, definitely. I’m more than willing to turn myself into a half-naked, dripping wet Doberman to get Ruby to see me as a potential sexual partner, but I’m not going to pretend your sexual thoughts and fantasies are mine.”
“Wait, dripping wet? This is new information. When did this little nugget happen?”
“The other day. Ruby was on my couch watching TV, and I waltzed out of my bathroom, dripping wet in nothing but a towel, pretending I needed to grab some shampoo I’d mistakenly left in the kitchen.”
“And?”
“She ignored me. Completely. Didn’t take her eyes off the TV for a split second.”
“What?”
“Now you see what I’m up against. At this point, I’m fairly convinced it’s hopeless. A total dead-end. She’s just not into me, Savage, and she never will be. That’s the only possible conclusion at this point.”
“No. No way. I don’t even swing that way, and if you waltzed past me, dripping wet and wearing nothing but a towel, I’d be tempted to attack you like a cheetah versus an impala. At the very least, I’d catcall you. What good friend wouldn’t at do that?”
“Right? It’s the polite thing to do, for fuck’s sake! I’m shocked Ruby didn’t roast me for walking in front of the TV, half naked, while she was trying to watch.”
“That’s a fantastic point,” Savage agrees, leaning forward with energy. “The Ruby I know would have said, ‘Jesus, KC! I’m trying to watch a show here, and I can’t concentrate with all those dripping wet, rippling muscles assaulting my eyeballs!’”
“Yes! That’s exactly what Ruby normally would have said to me, in that situation. But nope. Not a word. Not a glance. She gave me no reaction whatsoever.”
“This makes zero sense,” he whispers. “For years, she’s called you ‘hot stuff.’ And she couldn’t be bothered to call you that at the perfect moment?”
“Apparently not.”
Savage twists his mouth. “It’s unbelievable. And I mean that literally.” Suddenly, his face lights up. “What if Ruby did react to you, but she didn’t want you to see it? What if her eyeballs popped out of her damned head so much at the sight of you, she tried her best to overcompensate and act like a robot so she wouldn’t give herself away? And by playing it that cool, she actually did the opposite?”
My heart leaps in my chest. “You think that’s possible?”
“No, I think it’s probable. In fact, the more I think about it, the more it’s the only logical conclusion.” Savage smirks. “You’ve got her, baby. Right where you want her. I’m sure of it.”
“Holy shit.”
“She’s teetering right on the edge. Clinging to the friendship cliff with white knuckles while her body screams at her to let go and jump her bestie’s hot-ass bones. I’d bet any amount of money on it. Laila’s money, to be clear. But, still, that’s a lot of money that’s half mine.”
I know he’s being funny, but I’m too wound up to laugh with him. “If you’re right about this, then how do I get her to loosen her grip and stop playing it cool?”
“First of all, you need more time with her staying at your place. Another week, at least. I know you said no to bribing the building manager, but—"
“I’ll do it. What else?”
“You’ve got the perfect opportunity today, thanks to the show. Don’t miss out on what this situation has to offer you, Kendrick.”
“I won’t.”
Savage points at me intensely, like a coach explaining the next play with two seconds left in a game. “No matter what, you have to find a reason to kiss her today, KC. Do it at the press conference. Or better yet, at the party tonight. Or both. You’re supposedly her hot and heavy boyfriend for the show, right?”
“Yep.”
“So be that guy, at every turn. Don’t forget, Cooper’s going to be around, watching her like a hawk, which will get Ruby’s motor running. So, use all of that as an excuse to kiss the girl and kiss her right.”