Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Even so, the boat has a certain charm aside from Ares.
The steel railings are warm under my arms as I lean forward, letting the wind rush over my head and my hair. The deck rocks slowly under me as we ride the shallow waves, cruising gently not far off the shore.
Sometimes, I still want to dive in, even knowing how cold the water gets.
Gramps used to take me swimming with the rest of the kids. We’d cannonball off the side of the yacht into the water and do quick laps around offshore rocks and shallow areas. It was always refreshing to feel the frigid bite against my skin in the summer heat.
Like clockwork, my mind goes to Hattie. The way she leaped off the side of this yacht because I told her a legendary author was just a quick swim away.
Impulsive little dork.
And a dick move by yours truly.
I shake my head again, trying to clear it as Ares abandons his chew and trots over to chase off a stowaway seagull on the deck.
The old hound never comes close, bellowing a couple low woofs before the bird takes off, but you’ve got to admire his effort.
“Hey,” Hattie says, sliding up with drinks in her hands. A cocktail for her—a green martini, by the looks of it—and plain whiskey for me.
“Hey yourself.” I swirl the drink, wrapping a grateful arm around her waist.
Being with her feels weirdly natural.
Another problem, even if I can’t believe it’s a dire one.
“Having a nice time out here?” I ask. “Ares has guard duty covered. No worries about stepping on any bird shit.”
She laughs and her head falls lightly against my shoulder, leaning into me.
She’s wearing a yellow sundress today that shows her cleavage and incredible legs. It’s damnably hard not to rip it off her and fuck her through the floor.
Aside from a couple crewmen for navigation at the helm, we’re alone, which makes the thought of getting that sundress off impossible to ignore.
“It’s nice to be out here again. I forgot how relaxing this boat could be,” she says dreamily. “How was your morning? Seems like you were busy.”
“Well, there’s good news.” I reach down and kiss her shoulder, then her ear until her breath stutters. My cock hardens, wickedly tuned to her every breath by now. “I’ve had some long discussions with Daley about that lodge he had planned. If everything checks out, we’ll be breaking ground on it next year.”
“See? I knew he wasn’t so terrible,” she teases.
I nip at her warningly.
“He’s still too fucking smarmy for his own good. We’re taking this one small step at a time.”
“You’re just saying that because his teeth are whiter than yours.”
“I’m saying that because I need to put him in his place. And I don’t need my fiancée having anything to do with his horndog ass.” I trail my other hand down her waist.
I’m well-aware I’m being overprotective and idiotically jealous.
Sue me.
She’s my fiancée, dammit.
If I’m not allowed to flex a little, then who am I allowed to be overprotective with?
She giggles, turning in my arms so she’s looking up at me.
“You could just admit I was right. It isn’t hard.”
“You know that goes against my principles, Pages.”
“What? Admitting I was right for once?”
“Admitting I’m wrong,” I growl, stroking over her bottom lip with my thumb. She’s adorably makeup free today, freckles dusting the bridge of her nose and cheeks. “Perhaps I could be persuaded it isn’t the end of the world.”
“Ethan.” She laughs again.
I can’t believe how much it thrills me.
Everything about this girl is insatiable.
“You’re impossible,” she whispers, but she wraps her arms around my waist so her breasts push against my chest. “So things are going that well with Cooper? I’m kind of surprised.”
“Well enough. Like I said, no big deals overnight, but the odds that there’ll be one are growing,” I confirm. “And yes, you can take credit if and when the place opens—if we get that far—so stop smirking at me, brat.”
She grins. “You love it.”
“Let’s not get carried away.” Although I would like to get carried away. Ideally, right here on the deck with far less clothes, if only we didn’t have the slight risk of an audience. “What about you? Good morning?”
“Actually, yes!” She breaks away to take an excited drink of her martini while I savor another look at that dress. Honey yellow, which might be my new favorite color as long as it’s on her.
That low square neckline suits her so well.
It’s an effort to keep my gaze pinned to her face.
If she’s noticed how rock hard I am or that feral glint in my eye, she doesn’t show any sign of it, just beaming at me when she meets my eyes again.
“Oh, forgot to tell you, I think I’m close to figuring out our theme for the store—viral books!” She announces it like she’s just solved world hunger. Her enthusiasm is infectious.