Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 114793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
"You're up early," came Eddie’s voice—easy and casual—followed by the quiet rustle of him sitting down cross-legged on the grass beside me.
I glanced over my shoulder. “Didn’t peg you as the sun yoga type.”
He smirked and eased into the same stretch I was in with way more grace than I expected. “Darlin, no one pegs me.” Ignoring me choking on air, he continued, “My sister runs a horse sanctuary out in Oklahoma. She teaches yoga to the staff, which helps alleviate the stiffness caused by riding and mucking out stalls. I go sometimes when my back’s tight or when I need to get my head on straight.”
“Seriously?”
He nodded, settling into the stretch like it was second nature. “Yep, it works.”
We moved in silence for a while, side by side on the grass, surrounded by trees and the hum of morning insects. It was peaceful, almost meditative. Until Eddie glanced over at me with that look that said I’ve got something to say, and it’s going to make you blush.
“I was doing a perimeter check early this morning,” he said, casually wiping his palms on his thighs.
I stayed quiet and cautious. “Yeah?”
“I heard something, some noises coming from the house. I thought maybe you were being attacked or needed help or something.”
My stomach dropped, the dread crawling in.
He smirked. “Got closer and realized real fast that wasn’t the kind of help you needed.”
Heat flooded my face instantly, and I stared at the grass like it might swallow me whole.
“I didn’t look,” he added, hands raised in mock innocence. “Just turned right the hell around.”
“God,” I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “You would be the one to hear.”
He bumped my shoulder with his. “Relax, I’m glad. Webb’s a good man. He deserves someone who makes him sound like that.”
I snorted and shook my head. “He’s amazing and not really my usual type.”
That caught his attention. “No?”
I could already see the gears turning in his head.
“Let me guess,” he began, his face breaking out in a huge grin. “You go for the pretty-boy types. Clean-cut with a military fade, who wear button-down shirts and khaki pants.”
“Basically,” I shrugged. “Teachers, paramedics, and accountants mainly. Guys who look like they’d file their taxes early.”
Eddie laughed, tipping his head back. “And now here you are, sleeping with a guy covered in tattoos, who has gauges and wears boots that could kill a man.”
I grinned. “Yeah, and it all works on him. Weird, right?”
He gave me a pointed look. “You’ve got tattoos.”
“Mmhmm.”
“And I count five piercings in your ears.”
“Six,” I corrected, smiling as I twisted to show one hidden behind a curl. “There’s a sneaky one.”
“So, what you’re saying is, you’re just as chaotic.”
“Exactly. I never claimed to make sense.”
We sat there, the sun rising higher, with the golden light dappling the grass between us.
Then, completely out of nowhere, Eddie tilted his head and asked, voice full of curiosity, “Do you ever worry about poking your finger through the hole in Webb’s gauges while you’re kissing? Or, you know… having sex?”
I turned to him in slow motion, eyes wide. “What the hell, Eddie?” He was already grinning, clearly proud of himself. “Why would you put that in my head? You know what happens when you put shit like that out into the world, right? It makes it happen.”
He laughed so hard he nearly toppled backward onto the grass. “It’s a valid concern!”
“No, it’s not!” I snapped, feeling flustered now and covering my face. “At least, it wasn’t until now.”
“Well, now you’ll be careful,” he wheezed between chuckles.
I stared at him in horror, then snapped, “You are the worst.”
Still laughing, he leaned back on his hands, eyes twinkling as he looked up at the canopy. “Yeah, but I’m memorable.”
I leaned in toward Eddie and hissed, “You’ve ruined it. It’s all ruined now.”
He was still chuckling, breathless from his own joke. “C’mon, don’t be dramatic.”
“I’m serious. I’m going to panic about that every time now. Like, what if I slip? What if I poke the gauge, and he flinches and breaks his nose on my face?”
Eddie let out another laugh snort, clutching his side. “You’re picturing it clearly now, aren’t you?”
I glared at him. “I don't like you.”
That’s when we heard the low crunch of boots through the grass again. Webb stepped into the clearing, looking relaxed and unfairly attractive in a plain black T-shirt and loose joggers. His hair was still damp from his shower, and the sight made me forget my own name for a second.
“What’s got you laughing like a lunatic?” he asked Eddie, his brow raised.
Before I could stop myself, my eyes locked onto the black gauges in his ears, and my mouth betrayed me.
“Me accidentally fingering your holes.”
There was complete silence. Webb just blinked, and then his mouth dropped open, but no sound came out. Eddie rolled onto his back in the grass, howling so loud the birds scattered from the nearby trees. His face turned red, and I saw actual tears slip from the corners of his eyes as he gasped for air.