Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I snigger.
Happy makes a move forward and stomps his foot as if he wants to charge at Damen, but my guardian doesn’t even flinch.
“Fine,” Happy says and steps back. Relief pools in my chest and my shoulders sag. “You’ll learn your lesson when the little bitch robs you blind,” he adds because of course he has to fuck things up for me.
“You’re the fucking thief and we both know it!” I yell as he turns around with a shrug. I’m glad he’s leaving, but it somehow infuriates me more that he didn’t stay to argue.
Two guys from the next booth turn around and pretend they saw nothing, but a part of me wants them to stare a bit longer. After all, it’s not often someone like me gets to be this close to a guy who could be one of those singers who are swoony enough to sell out whole stadiums. He has that energy about him, despite the neat haircut and conventional clothes.
Or maybe I’m just projecting because I itch for him to become my Christmas miracle?
He places his hand on my shoulder and guides me back into the seat. “That’s better, isn’t it? What’s your poison?” he asks, gesturing at the bar.
I smile as adrenaline melts out of me, replaced by the fluttering of butterflies. “Beer. Any. Thanks. Thank you so much.” I push back some of the green hair that fell on my face. Half of it manages to fit in a tiny ponytail, but the rest falls forward. I haven’t thought through that undercut. But I needed a change. Red hair was the past me. Now, I’m new and rocking my post-break up look.
“Don’t go anywhere,” Damen says and wags his finger at me.
I grow roots into the bench when he glides his fingers along my jaw as if I were his precious pet, before walking off as if he hadn’t just stood up to a guy who has everyone in his neighborhood shitting their pants.
I didn’t see it that well when he was in the booth, but my savior is really damn tall, with broad shoulders, an elegant back, and a gaze so swoony it’s like being protected by a dark prince.
I’m probably just a novelty, but who cares? For a guy like him, I’ll be on my knees the moment he points to the floor. Maybe I can even get him to walk me home, in case Happy is waiting there for me.
The beer he places on the table in front of me is one of the good ones, which I can’t normally afford, and he sits back next to me with a translucent glass that looks like the lovechild of a tumbler and a goblet. The liquid inside is a dark amber, and when he takes a sip, I watch him swallow. He has the most gorgeous profile, with a big nose and luscious lips. The slightly wavy hair falls on his forehead, making him look like a dark Prince Charming.
“You have an unusual name,” he says, setting the glass down on the sticky table.
“Oh, it’s short for Killian. And you’re Damen? You’ve got no idea how impressed I am. Happy’s a fucking asshole who can’t get it in his head we’re not together anymore.” I’m trying to work out if he genuinely thinks I’m attractive or bought me a pity drink ‘cause I’m shaken. I take a big gulp and melt into the seat with a smile.
“Wouldn’t the security throw him out?” Damen asks, and when he cocks his head and a bright beam passes over his features, I note that his eyes are the prettiest hazel.
I really am getting ahead of myself.
The most I can count on is him choosing to hook up with me tonight, and I am ready to drop my pants for the heroic way he stood up to my meathead ex. I hope he’s a top. He’s got top energy.
“They might, but then he’d just be outside,” I say with a groan and scoot an inch closer to smell him. I don’t know much about men’s cologne, but it smells expensive. Like he has good taste. Maybe his taste in men is worse though, and he’ll choose me. I might be a mess, but I’m cute. I’ve got cool ink, piercings, pretty lips, and eyes that promise a good time. “I’m sorry I roped you into this, but would you… be my boyfriend a little longer? I bet he has a few spies here, and I don’t think he’ll approach as long as I’m with you. Outside, I mean. If you’d be so nice to walk me home?”
His lips quirk, and I curl my toes when he slides his arm around my shoulders as he takes another sip of liquor. The scent he has about him, I think it’s wood, and grapefruit, as well as something powdery yet dark. I want to gorge myself on his skin and give him a whole-body tongue bath, finding each of the beauty spots peppering his skin.