Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
She looks toward Guy. “It isn’t one date to him.”
My stomach flips. “How do you know?”
“He told me.”
My eyes jerk toward her. “What did he say?”
Skyler’s smile softens. “He said you’re different. That he can’t stop thinking about you.”
I look back at Guy. He’s talking to Eli now, helping him adjust his grip on the ball. “This is happening really fast,” I whisper.
“Sometimes it does,” Skyler murmurs.
I am not going to let her get my hopes up. I know this is just something in passing, and I’m not going to read too much into it. “I’m just someone he met. I’m not like the women he usually dates.”
Skyler nods. “You’re right about that. You’re nothing like them.”
I look at her, surprised by the answer, and I’m not sure whether to be offended or not.
She shrugs. “I’m not going to tell you there’s no risk. I’m just telling you my brother doesn’t bring women home. He doesn’t introduce them to us, and he definitely doesn’t look at anyone the way he looks at you.” Skyler smiles down at Grace. “I’ll be back. I got a hungry one.”
Before I can answer, Guy walks back toward us with Eli on his shoulders. Eli is holding the baseball over his head like a trophy. “I won,” he announces.
Guy rolls his eyes. “You cheated.”
“I did not.”
“I’m getting old,” Guy mutters. Eli laughs as Guy lowers him to the ground.
Lindsey calls him toward the house, and he runs off.
Guy stops beside me and slides his arm around my waist. “You okay?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
He searches my face. “You look overwhelmed.”
I could deny it, but I should be honest with him. “I am a little.”
His expression immediately turns concerned. “Do you want to go?”
I look around at his family. They’ve stopped staring at us and are talking among themselves now. His mom is holding the baby. Logan and Miller are giving each other a hard time. Ozzy is standing off to the side, but he doesn’t look as distant as he did earlier. It’s loud and crowded, but it’s also warm.
“No,” I say. “I’m okay.”
Guy studies my face. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
He kisses my temple. “Good.”
A little while later, everyone begins heading inside. Guy stays back with Ozzy while I walk ahead with Skyler and the other women.
I glance over my shoulder and see Guy shove his brother lightly.
“You’re an asshole,” he tells him.
Ozzy laughs. “You’re welcome.”
“I told you, I’m not thanking you.”
“You will.”
Guy looks toward me. Our eyes meet, and his expression softens.
He turns back to Ozzy and lowers his voice, but I can still hear him. “Thank you.”
Ozzy slaps him on the shoulder. “Anytime, bub.”
I turn away before Guy catches me listening.
By the time we leave, I’ve been hugged again by every woman in his family. Caroline tells me I’m welcome anytime, and Skyler makes me promise I’ll come back and hold the baby when she isn’t surrounded by everyone.
Guy takes my hand as we walk toward his truck. “Well?” he asks.
“Well, what?”
“Did they scare you?”
I smile. “A little.”
He groans. “I knew it.”
“But I like them.”
He stops beside the passenger door and turns toward me. “You do?”
“Yes. They’re a lot, but in a good way.”
His smile is slow and happy. “They liked you too.”
I put my hands at his waist. “They barely know me.”
“They don’t have to know you long to see what I see.”
I look away before he can see how much his words affect me. He opens the door, but I don’t climb inside. “Your house is in Whiskey Run, right?”
His eyebrows lift. “Yeah.”
I tug on his shirt, pulling him toward me. My heart is pounding so hard that I’m sure he can hear it. I hope this is the right decision. “Take me home with you.”
He goes completely still. “What?”
I look up at him. “I want to see your house.”
His eyes darken, and he takes a step closer. “Nicole, you need to be sure.”
I slide my hands up his chest and wrap them around his neck. “I’m sure.”
His hands close around my waist. “You know if I take you home, I’m not going to want to let you leave.”
I rise onto my toes and press my lips to his. “Then take me home, Guy.”
CHAPTER 11
GUY
I practically pick her up and put her in my truck. I’m only ten minutes from Ozzy’s house, and even though Nicole and I hold hands the whole way there, neither of us says much. The silence isn’t awkward, but it does feel like there is a charge of electricity between us.
I’m half hard when I pull into my driveway, and by the time I walk around the truck to help her out, I’m taking deep breaths and trying to get myself under control. “This is it,” I tell her.
She looks around the outside of my house, but my eyes stay glued to her. I’ve never cared what people thought about me or my house, but with her it’s different. I want her to love it here. More than that, I want her to be able to picture herself here with me. I walk with her to the front door, and by the time we get inside, I’m trembling like this is my first time or something. I show her through every room downstairs but don’t take her upstairs because I don’t want to just assume that we’re having sex. I’m happy just having her in my space. “Can I get you a drink?”