Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“It’s only pathetic if you let it be. You’re driven, focused, and have objectives in mind. Not to mention you’re so damn gorgeous it threatens my confidence.”
“Disagree,” I counter.
“We’ll add modest to the list of never-ending wonderful traits of Willow Richards. They are almost negatives about you.”
“Almost,” Lucas hums. “You need to learn the word no.”
“Amen. Although if she’d turned down Koch’s patient load yesterday, she’d have never had Talon. That one worked out in her favor.”
“Want to know what I think?” He looks pointedly at me.
“Not really.”
“Go out with him, fuck his brains out, then make your decision.”
“That’s your advice? It’s such a guy thing.”
“Trust me.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s the only way to get ahead of this attraction that you have.”
“Who said I’m attracted to him?”
He arches his eyebrows. “I have three sisters and a zillion female cousins. Trust me when I say it’s better to skip the drama and go for it.”
“I’ve met a ton of hot guys I don’t want to sleep with.”
“Maybe this man is different. And seeing your reaction to him was an instant giveaway. Go out with the guy. What’s the worst that can happen? You get a meal and sex out of it. Maybe it would help your mood, too.”
I force a bite of food into my mouth to avoid this conversation. “You suck.”
“He’s right.” Bex is like a dog with a bone.
“Do I need to remind you he’s now a patient? There are rules in place for a reason.”
“Bullshit, you’re finding excuses.”
“It’s not an excuse to watch out for my career path. If it got out I was seeing a patient, my reputation would be crucified. Everything I’ve worked for is within grasp, and throwing it away for a quickie night with a hot guy is not worth it.”
“I highly doubt anything about Talon would be a quickie.”
“Bex! Focus on the big picture.” As hard as I try to stop it, my mind goes to the kiss and my body heats.
“What? I am thinking big picture. No one is saying marry him. Why not see where it could go?”
“Where could it possibly go? We’re complete opposites.”
“You don’t know that.”
“He’s a police officer.“
“Your hang-up is judgmental.”
“Gotta agree with that,” Lucas concurs. “What’s your hang-up with cops?”
I groan, knowing my reasoning won’t score with him either. “It’s not personal, but it’s not the occupation either. It’s the fact that jobs are usually an extension of the person.”
“Are you suggesting a job defines a person in every way? Because I love being a PT, but it doesn’t say shit about my personal life.”
“You’re wrong. You care about people, like the challenge of every new case. We have to have a certain level of compassion and personal drive to do what we chose.”
“I’ll give you that. But you could say the same thing about many jobs, even police officers.”
“Yes, but police officers, a lot of the time, are fueled by a different passion. They risk their lives and live off a form of adrenaline.”
“Gotta say, that sounds like bullshit. I’ll repeat, you could say the same thing about many jobs.”
“Yes, but I know myself. I’m seeking something different in a relationship.”
“This safety zone you’ve enacted is absolute idiocy. Willy-dick was safe and he turned out to be a douche-lord. That should be enough reason to step onto the wild side. Dark, dangerous, thrilling, sexy as hell—Talon is all this. His smile alone should disintegrate your panties.”
“Let’s skip the panties convo. I’d like to finish eating.” Lucas frowns at the sandwich in his hand.
“It’s not a safety zone, it’s practical. I know my limits, and dating a man who steps in the line of fire every day isn’t me.”
“Jesus, do you hear yourself?”
“Yes, Bex. My life is made of stability and consistency. I’ve been on the same path since I was ten years old.”
“Which is why you need to expand your horizons. Graduating top of your class, the dream job, excellent references—all of that is a slam dunk. Since the Joseph debacle, you haven’t so much as kissed a guy before the other night. Step outside your comfort zone and live a little.”
“Wait, you haven’t dated anyone since Joe?” Lucas’s eyes widen with shock when I shake my head.
“Nothing? In a year?”
I shake my head again.
“Jesus, Wills. Go on a date with the guy. Scrape the cobwebs off and get back in the game. You deserve more. ”
Everything they said makes sense and also makes me realize how truly closed off I’ve become.
“He has scars. Burns of some kind. All on his chest. I felt them,” I say softly, remembering the puckered skin against my fingers.
“Did he say what they are from?” Bex asks low.
“No, but I froze. When I felt them, my mind went berserk.”
“There’s probably a good explanation.” Lucas goes with logic.
“A good explanation for him to be burned? It’s not a fraternity hazing gone wrong. He was hurt. Something happened to him. I think it has to do with the other injury that put him in rehab with Koch. It had to be bad.”