Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Probably. I don’t know. Would I even notice anymore?” he says, his tone matching his sourpuss expression.
I smooth a clean bandage over the wound, and eye him suspiciously. His pout is ridiculous, but I can’t help myself. “Do you want me to kiss it and make it all better?”
His eyes light up. I roll my eyes, kissing the tips of my fingers before pressing them to the bandaged wound. “You’re all good again.”
He reaches up, a subtle flinch from his shoulder to his eye, when the arm that is his saving grace and still fully works is lifted to touch his lips. “What about here?”
I really hate how handsome this man is. So distracting. He really makes it hard to look away. “You got that charm of yours working overtime.” If he keeps this up, he’s going to get more than he bargained for when I kiss him smack on the lips, just to determine whether it’s as good as I always imagined.
Not that I ever imagined kissing Brandon Culver. Why would I want to kiss someone who once pressed his lips to mine and then was seen later that night with Chantilly Flic—Don’t wind yourself up over stuff that no longer matters, Autumn.
“Believe it or not, it comes natural.”
“I believe it alright. Dolly used to warn us girls about guys like you.”
His grin grows into a full-tilt smirk. “Yeah? What was that warning?”
“Don’t let them go.” I laugh under my breath. “She’s not the best for advice when it comes to men.”
Chuckling, he says, “I always heard she was a flirt.”
“Her reputation precedes her.” I anchor a hand around the side of my waist, and ask, “Now back to your lips? What’s going on?” Other than me being drawn to the fullness of them.
“I think I have a boo-boo that needs kissing, too.”
With his hair hanging over his forehead and some blood dried on his chest, he couldn’t look more rugged and masculine. I’ve waged this war before. Last night, I wanted to kiss him so badly that I had to leave the room altogether to get myself under control. “I can do you one better.”
“Oh yeah?”
Tapping his nose, I say, “I can call your mom to do it.” I toss the wipes and trash in the kitchen.
He stands with his shoulders dragging as much as his head. “I’m good.”
“Are you? You don’t seem good.” Why is beating him at his own game so entertaining? I’m not usually one for the antics, but it’s kind of fun since no one is getting hurt.
“I’ll live. I’m going to shower.” Leaning against the corner that leads to the hall, he stops. When our eyes connect, he asks, “Want to join me?”
The answer is no, but for some reason, I can’t get myself to say it. “Can I ask you something first?”
“Anything.”
I come around the peninsula and walk toward him, not wanting to shout across the room. But even more, I want to see the truth in his eyes, because that will determine how everything goes from here. Stopping just two feet in front of him, I ask, “Earlier, when you asked me to stay, were you talking medical fraud, or do you really need me to stay for personal reasons?”
“What answer would get me the response I want?”
“The truth.”
He comes to me, taking my hand in his and angling his head to the side while he looks at me. There’s no joking in his demeanor or even a residual grin hanging around like a groupie after a concert. It’s just him and me.
“I’m not looking to go to jail, but I’m also not opposed to breaking a few rules to get you to stay with me a few more days.”
My swallow tightens my throat, but my heart feels wide open, exposed in a way I’m not used to. I take a long overdue breath and then say, “What would have happened if I hadn’t been here?”
“I would have bled out.” He winks.
I dropped the line, and he picked it right up. “Lucky for you, I was here to help.” I wink right back. I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m tired of trying to figure it out. Don’t I deserve nice things? Staring straight into his eyes, I accept my fate. “About that shower . . .”
CHAPTER 19
BRANDON
The player just got played.
Who knew that five-foot-four, kindhearted nurse of a woman had it in her? She acts innocent, but Autumn Season is a tease who knows exactly what she’s doing. I never stood a chance.
I’m still not sure how I got tricked into showering alone, but she also managed to talk me into running errands with her. There was mention of a reward for good behavior, and I was seat-belted in before she reached the vehicle.
I have no idea what her errands include, but she’s cruising down this dirt road like she drives it every day. Glancing at her casual grip on the steering wheel, I clench my stomach through the more treacherous parts, but she takes these mountain curves like an F1 driver. I put my life in her hands, though I’m certain a Corolla is not built for off-roading.