Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 157162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
And my resolve, my willpower, the promise I had made myself… All the reasons why not all faded away on my drive to the gym as I turned left instead of right and went to his cabin.
His truck was there. So, not at the restaurant or with his family or with some other woman. My ego was big enough to delude myself into knowing he wouldn’t be with another woman. If there was another woman in Jupiter who could sate his needs, he would’ve already been with her.
After parking my car, I didn’t get out right away. I gripped the steering wheel, gazing at the front door of the house, squinting at the windows, trying to talk myself out of such a rash decision. Though the time to talk myself out of being there was when I wasn’t within sight of the house. If he was home, then he likely could see me sitting there, staring at his house like a maniac.
Yet I sat there for another handful of minutes, my stomach churning. It was a choice, getting out of the car, knocking on the door. Elliot had made it clear that he was not going to allow some kind of fuck buddies situation. He’d made it clear that he had feelings for me. Real feelings. That he intended on pursuing some kind of real relationship.
By coming to him, I was cosigning on that relationship. On that four-letter word. The prospect of it being a reality instead of some obscure concept I thought I’d never actually feel nor have felt toward me by a romantic partner.
The two things I’d promised myself I’d never have in life, let alone in a city I was only staying in temporarily.
The reasons why not were infinite.
Yet I got out of the car, my heart slamming against my ribs as I reached up to knock on the door. It opened before my knuckles could meet the wood.
Elliot didn’t look surprised to see me. The hunch that he’d been watching me in the car from his window seemed correct since his face was relaxed, eyes twinkling with warmth and amusement.
“You decided to come in, I see.” His smoky eyes ran up and down my body with a hungry edge that conflicted with his charming tone.
My skin vibrated under his gaze, reflexively responding to the juxtaposition of this man who smiled easily and was polite yet also ordered me on my knees without a second thought.
My hands curled into fists, nails biting into my palms at the thought of being on my knees, with the hunger I had for him.
“Against my better judgment.” My voice was hoarser than I intended. I was angry. Angry for being so weak, angry at Elliot for being the cause of that weakness, for overcoming all of my barriers and looking so fucking smug about it.
He leaned against the door, not seeming in a rush to get me inside or get my clothes off. I knew he was attracted to me, could feel the intensity between us, saw the desire right there in his eyes.
Did he not have overwhelming urges like I did? Or was his self-control somehow stronger? The latter was definitely true since he was not the one who was at my doorstep right then.
“Against your better judgment?” He arched a brow.
I nodded. “This is a bad idea” I repeated what I’d already said countless times. I was a broken record, so annoying of me. I didn’t repeat myself.
“Yet you’re here,” he winked.
“I’m known to indulge in bad decisions on occasion,” I shot back.
His eyebrows danced, not affected by my tone, smiling. “I consider it an honor, Calliope Derrick, that you’re indulging with me.”
My breath hitched every time he said my full name, like it was somehow a sexual act yet reverent and special at the same time.
Our gazes locked, and neither of us said anything, birdsong filling up the silence between us. Though I was desperate for him, I was not going to make the first move. I’d already made the first move by coming there, hadn’t I? Admitted defeat, proving that I wasn’t strong enough to resist Elliot and stupid enough to engage in a relationship with him.
He blew out a breath, and I felt it on my face, smelling of mint and him. “Since you’re here, you can come with me.” He stepped out the door so our bodies were squeezed together on his front step.
I attempted to step back, but his hand flew to my back, holding me to him tighter as he closed his door.
He snatched my chin, lifting my face upward.
“Made my day.” His eyes searched my face as his thumb brushed my bottom lip. “And perhaps a lot more than that, seeing you pull up, trying to convince yourself not to get out of the car and doing it anyway.”