Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Dean: Be a hell of a lot better if I were there with you.
Me: You wouldn’t hear me complain.
“Alright, I can’t overstay my welcome, and it’s getting late. We have two options as far as I can see. One, you can come back with me while I get ready for bed, and then I can bring you back over here for the night.” Scout lets out a little wail. “Yeah, I don’t like it, either.” His ears perk up. “So, that leaves the other option of you sleeping at my place.” I’m given a happy bark. He likes that idea, so do I.
“Well, I guess I need to text your dad and let him know.” I also need to leave my key on the counter for him. I left my apartment unlocked, so I won’t need it to get in there within the next few minutes. I sit up, holding Scout to my chest until he’s situated and won’t fall down. His energy came, and his energy went. He’s like a bag of bricks, and I’d bet he’d love nothing more than for me to carry him to my place.
Me: I’m stealing your dog. The key to my place is on the counter. There’s no reason for us to sleep alone
We go through the process of turning off a couple of lights, then I grab a couple of toys and a blanket of Scout’s, re-leash him because, as much as I wouldn’t mind carrying him to my apartment, I kind of have my hands full with his belongings.
Dean: Is that an invitation for me to join you in the morning, sweetheart?
How he’s able to come up with something so fast and on the spot is beyond me. I’m considering what I should type back when I finally tell myself to stop overthinking the situation and go for it.
Me: I’ll keep the bed warm for you. All it’ll be missing is you
Dean: Fuck, I like that, Kara. I like that a whole lot. Sweet dreams. The next time I see you, I’ll be waking you up with my mouth.
Me: The morning can’t come fast enough.
I back out of the message thread and put my phone in my pocket. Scout is right beside me the entire way, and I have my fingers crossed that Dean will use more than his mouth when the time comes.
9
Dean
The only damn thing I can think about is climbing into bed with Kara. We’ve busted our asses, finished out our last area faster than usual, and it had us all clocking out and heading home before the sun rose. I take the stairs double-time, keeping my ear out in case Scout starts barking but don’t hear a peep. A quick flick of the key in the door, and I’m inside my apartment.
A note greets me on the kitchen counter, and it has me moving even faster.
Dear Hot Guy Next Door,
I’ve got a surprise waiting for you.
Xoxo,
Pretty Girl Next Door
On top of the short but sweet letter is a set of keys. I keep them where she placed them, kick off my boots, leaving them near the door, and strip out of my clothes on my way through my place. I’m in the bathroom in no time, the water is steaming hot, and I’m moving at a record pace. It seems to be what I need and want when it comes to spending time with Kara.
I’m in and out within ten minutes, body washed, hair shampooed, and teeth brushed. I grab a pair of athletic shorts, slide my feet into a pair of slip-on shoes, walk out of the bedroom, snag both sets of keys on the counter as well as my phone, and head next door.
I make sure to be light on my feet as I open, close, and lock my door, Then take the few steps between our doors, where I repeat the process.
When I enter Kara’s apartment, a small lamp lightly illuminates the living area, and my eyes land on Scout. He’s snuggled on her couch, blanket half on top, half beneath him. He wags his tail, picks up his head, gives me a look asking why I interrupted his sleep, and goes back to sleep. I guess he doesn’t need to go out and wants to be left alone. My dog is helping me out in a big way.
I head to Kara’s bedroom. Another light is on inside, this one by her bedside, and that’s when I’m in for the surprise of a lifetime. One leg is cocked to the side, an oversized shirt rucked up near her hips, and not a stitch of fabric covers her bare pussy. It’s the scar on the backside of her leg that makes me take a deep breath. Everything she’s gone through—the wreck, losing Nellie’s mom, Nellie being born while she was in surgery, all the rehabilitation she went through, the repeated surgeries, and more rehab. Yet it didn’t knock her down. The hand she was dealt only made her pony up even more, and she came back swinging.