Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“Good,” I tell her.
She glances back at Cressida again. “I should go.” Maya’s voice is small and quiet.
“You should,” I agree.
She gives a stiff nod, then turns and leaves. There is a part of me that wants to feel sorry for her, but I don’t. My only concern right now is the woman whose hand is still in mine. I need to work out how I can keep her, how to make her mine.
“I should go too,” Cressida says, and tries to pull her hand away, but I don’t let it go. Instead, I tug her into my chest, our bodies pressing together, and slide my hand up to her cheek. I love touching her face. This woman expresses so many emotions every time I do it. Like right now, her blue eyes are locked on mine, wide with surprise.
If I cracked her head open, could I see what she’s thinking?
Probably not.
And to be honest, her head is way too pretty for that anyway.
“Stay,” I say.
“I can’t.”
“We need to talk about us,” I tell her.
Her hands lift and cover mine, where they rest against her cheek. “We probably should,” she agrees.
At least she isn’t telling me no.
That’s a start, I guess.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” I admit.
“Maybe you should take me out for dinner first,” she says, her perfect lips curving up into a smile.
“Dinner?” I ask, raising a brow. “That I can do. When are you free?”
“How about tomorrow night?” she asks.
“Done. I’ll pick you up.”
“We’re not going to your house either. It needs to be somewhere public, so you can’t have your way with me.”
I stroke her cheek with my thumb. “But I like having my way with you.”
“I know,” she says, then steps from my arms.
Okay, no kissing tonight.
But tomorrow night, I plan to kiss every part of her.
If she allows me, that is.
FORTY-ONE
CRESSIDA
“So, are you officially seeing Soren now?” Noah asks as he waits for Oliver to run and grab his iPad.
I’m dressed and ready to head out for my date with Soren. When I spoke with him a little while ago, he said he’d be here in twenty minutes to pick me up. I was hoping Oliver and Noah would be gone before then.
“It’s just a date,” I tell him.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I actually like him. Even if he has a crazy sister who should be locked up.” He chuckles, I wrap my arm around him, and he hugs me back. “I would say I’d beat him up if he doesn’t treat you right, but we both know I would lose.”
I laugh as we end the hug, and when I look over Noah’s shoulder, Soren is standing there. He eyes Noah suspiciously but says nothing.
When Oliver turns the corner and sees Soren, he runs straight to him. He holds a fist out, and Soren bumps their knuckles together. I can’t help the warmth that blooms in my chest at seeing them interact like this.
“Hey, little man. Where are you heading off to?” Soren asks Oliver.
“With Dad. Are you here to see Mom or me?” Oliver asks.
“You, of course. Just wanted to check in on how your practice is going,” Soren replies, giving him his full attention.
“It’s going good. But Mom yelled at me for practicing by hitting the wall.” He shrugs his shoulders, and Soren shakes his head.
“No walls, just a punching bag or practice with me, okay?” Soren tells him.
Oliver doesn’t waste a second as he turns to Noah and me and says, “Can we go to practice? I want to practice.”
“Oliver, you know we’re meeting Taylor for dinner,” Noah reminds him. “Maybe another night.”
“Let’s make plans,” Oliver says to Soren, his eyes lit with excitement.
“Okay, I’ll schedule it with your mother,” Soren agrees.
Noah rests a hand on Oliver’s shoulder. “Come on, time to leave. Say goodbye.”
Oliver gives us both a wave before he runs to Noah’s car and climbs in, Noah trailing behind him.
“You’re early,” I say to Soren.
“And you look beautiful,” he replies as he gives me a once-over. “Though I’m getting a little jealous of your dresses,” he adds.
“What?” I ask, confused.
“Because the dress is lucky to be hugging you so tightly,” he deadpans.
I throw my head back and laugh. “Who knew you were funny?”
“Funny? I was being serious.” And I can see by his expression that he was.
“Well, I’m jealous sometimes too,” I tell him as I grab my purse, then shut and lock the door.
I descend the three steps until I’m standing in front of him. He takes my hand, and to be honest, I expect nothing less.
“Pity I can’t ravish you tonight,” he says. “You know, because we’ll be in public.”
I laugh again, not able to help myself as he leads me to the car and opens the door for me. I climb in, and when I look up, I find his gaze locked on me. He winks before he shuts the door and goes around to the other side and gets in. His driver starts the car, and we take off down the street.