Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
That loser’s name has my fists tightening under the table. “Finchy Boy better not be calling you too.”
She tips her head, a minor twitch to her lips. “No. And even if he did, I wouldn’t answer.”
Exactly what I wanted to hear.
“She looking for places here?” I ask, taking a swig from my bottle.
Her nod is subtle. “She is.”
My gaze locks and holds. “And how do you feel about that?”
She toys with her water glass, stroking the condensation. “Good, actually. I think Passion Falls is where she needs to be, especially right now. It’s quiet, safe…and selfishly, I like the idea of having her close. I want us to have a relationship again, to mend what’s been broken, and I want to be there for her and for the baby.”
“She’s lucky to have you,” I say, meaning every damn word. “You know that, right?”
Her mouth softens into a smile. “Yes, I do. And I’m lucky to have you.”
She reaches across the table, weaving her fingers through mine like it’s second nature.
“Thank you for giving us this time together,” she adds, voice quieter. “I hated not getting to spend your days off with you.”
My grip on her hand tightens with a squeeze.
“Not gonna lie, Goldilocks. I was bored out of my fucking mind. Felt like I didn’t have a single friend.”
The laugh that explodes from her is exactly what I was aiming for, the sound filling every quiet space of me.
ease back in my chair, mouth curving. “I’m glad you two had the time together, and I hope it all works out for her.”
Her amusement fades into something softer. “Thank you. I did tell her she could stay with me as long as she needs.” The confession carries a thread of guilt. “Sadly, that means sex is restricted to the bedroom for a while.”
My cock stirs at the thought of all the places I’ve taken her. Every inch of her condo has known us—our heat, our breath, the sound of my name breaking on her lips…and still, it’s not enough.
“There’s always my place, Goldilocks.” I tip the bottle toward her, my mouth curving with the thought.
That spark flashes in her eyes, playful and wicked. “True. And your kitchen table is even bigger than mine.”
It’d be a hell of a time, but the best part would be just having her in my place more, around my shit, waiting for me when I got home, like she belongs there. “Maybe we should get you a key.” The words are out before I can stop them.
She goes still, the shift so slight most wouldn’t notice, but I do, and it lands sharper than I expected.
Not the reaction I was going for.
She aims for casual but misses by a mile. “Why would I need a key?”
I shrug. “In case you ever need to stop by and I’m not there.”
She pastes on a smile that doesn’t touch her eyes. “But why would I come over if you’re not there?”
Annoyance tightens my chest, my pride bruising with every beat. “I don’t know, Harlow. Maybe you need something. Maybe you just want to be there. It was a suggestion, not a fucking proposal. If you don’t want the key, don’t take it.”
She stiffens, eyes narrowing. “I never said I didn’t want it. I asked why I’d need it.” Her hand slips from mine, the space between us cooling as she leans back with a low mutter. “Geez, sensitive much?”
The dig snaps something in me, my brows shooting up. “I’m being sensitive?”
She folds her arms, chin tipping high. “Yeah. You are.”
My palm hits the table with a solid thud. “Well, slap a fucking sticker on me and call me fragile.”
Her eyes roll, but my temper’s already burning.
“You’re the one acting like the key to my apartment is some kind of death sentence.”
Her mouth parts. “I am not!”
I grunt at the bold-faced lie.
She shakes her head, frustration cutting through her voice. “Fine. If it means that much to you, I’ll take the stupid key.”
A laugh snorts out of me before I can stop it. “I don’t think so, sweetheart.”
She jerks back. “What do you mean?”
“The offer’s been revoked.”
I’m being fucking ridiculous, and I know it, but I’m too pissed off to care.
“You can’t just take it back,” she sputters.
“I can. And I did. So, let’s just fucking drop it.”
She throws her hands up, a bitter laugh under her breath. “Fine.”
“Good.”
But it isn’t. Because I’m still too pissed off.
I shift forward, elbows braced hard. “Does it scare you that much?”
She angles back toward me, that attitude still intact. “What are you talking about?”
“This.” I gesture between us. “Me. You. Us. Does it terrify you that fucking much? Because if it does, then what are we even doing here?”
Her jaw ticks, shoulders wound tight. “I’m not scared. I was caught off guard, that’s all. You’re the one who said we’d take it slow, and now you’re handing me a key—what am I supposed to think?”