Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“Hard to fuck up when you spend every moment outside of school at the batting cage or pitcher’s mound.”
This surprised me. “You were a ball player?”
“I was.”
I glanced over his body, picturing the teenage boy in a baseball uniform. Having seen him in action a few weeks ago at the charity ball game gives my imagination a full understanding. “Were you perfect at baseball, too?”
He shrugs. “Got a full ride to LSU. Turned down the scholarship.”
“Why?”
“Because we had the money to pay for college. I wasn’t cool with taking someone else’s spot who needed it more.”
“That’s modest.”
“It’s decency. I knew I wasn’t taking the money or a permanent spot on the team. Even when the coaches said scouts were coming for me.”
“As in the Majors?”
“That’s what they said.”
“What happened?”
“I tried school a while then joined the Marines.”
I stopped walking, gawking at him. “You gave it all up?”
“I don’t see it that way. But others did.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing happened. I considered my options. For as long as I could remember, I wanted to be a Marine. The decision to enlist won out.”
“How’d your parents take it?”
“Would they have loved to have me attend school and stay close? Sure. They knew where I stood and it wasn’t a surprise.”
We started walking again, both of us quiet but my mind reeling. Finally, I spoke, my voice low and clogged with emotion. “My brother was a baseball player. He lived for the game. But he knew he’d never go forward, and when the time came, he hung up his cleats and followed his other dream to become a doctor.”
“To me, being a doctor is a fuck of a lot better than a ball player.”
“Maybe, but I think the only time I’ve ever seen my brother cry was the night of his last game.”
“I understand that. I made my choice, but that last game was still tough.”
“Did you cry?” I tease to try and break the seriousness hanging in the air.
“What do you think?”
“Of course not. Big, bad, soon-to-be-Marines don’t shed tears at the end of an era.”
He grinned, switching Wolf’s leash to his other hand, sliding his arm around my waist to haul me to his side.
“Once I made the decision, I was at peace with it.”
“Guess I understand the whole sliding into home base during the charity softball game. You couldn’t help yourself.”
He flashed me a smug grin that should set off warning bells, but instead, it fueled me.
“Little boys around the world put on their first uniform and dream of the chance to play professional ball. You gave up the chance at millions of guys’ dreams to join the service. That’s noble.”
“I was born to be a Marine.”
My heart skipped a beat and then melted as so many things bounced around my brain.
In no time, we were back at my townhome. He handed me the leash and brushed his lips across my temple. It was a simple move, not an iota of romance, but my skin tingled where his lips crossed.
“Enjoy your studying.”
“You’re not coming in?”
He tipped my chin up, his eyes boring into mine. “No, because I made you a deal. If we go back into that house, I can’t promise to control myself. You need to study.”
I hated he was right.
I also hated I didn’t want him to be right.
Even though he irritated the shit out of me less than thirty minutes ago with his bossiness, I didn’t want this to end.
Which was B-A-D. He was wearing me down way too easily. I needed to remind myself why we weren’t going to happen.
He’s a risk-taking, thrill seeker.
A man who puts his life on the line for others without blinking.
Kind, funny, sweet, selfless, attentive, the hottest guy I’d ever met, and absolutely the best kisser in my life.
Talon Simms might be a unicorn among men.
The kind of man I could fall head over ass for.
Also, the kind of guy who could break me.
I nodded, stepping away. “Thank you for lunch. I owe you.”
Surprise crossed his gaze, his lips forming a hard line.
I kept backing up toward my door. “See ya on Tuesday. We’ll probably increase the weights, so be ready for discomfort. And ummm, maybe stock up on some muscle cream and ibuprofen. The topical pain relief works well.”
Jesus, Willow, stop yammering. My back hit the railing and Wolf looked at me like I was insane.
Talon’s mouth curved into a slow, lazy grin. “Topical pain relief?”
“Yes. That’s the best. I’m not going easy on you.”
“I have no doubt nothing is easy with you.”
“T-t-that’s my job.”
“You nervous, Willow?”
“No. I just want to give you a heads up.“
“You going inside to raise that wall of denial about what’s happening here?”
“Nothing is happening here. We’re friends.”
“Friends… for two more weeks.”
“You keep saying that, but I do hope you understand that nothing is happening.”
“Go inside, Willow, before I take you inside and remind you what it’s like when my tongue is—”