Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Grinning, I do the same with mine.
We eat in comfortable silence until she finally groans and pushes her paper plate away. “I am full.” She places her hand on her stomach. “And despite what I said, I will hit the gym after this because I feel overfed.” She laughs out loud, a sound that goes straight to my cock.
“I go to the gym nearly every day,” I tell her.
She raises her eyebrows. “Really?” She looks me over, her eyes darkening. “It shows, even though you’re dressed.”
“Sounds like it’s my turn to say thank you,” I say.
Her blush gets redder. “Do you like the gym? Because I despise it,” she admits.
“I do.” I run a hand over my face, realizing it’s about to be more revelation time. “After it happened—”
“What you told me about earlier?” Her voice is low and soft.
“Yeah. That incident was the final straw after a bunch of smaller incidents. After I came to live with Jacinda and Matthew, I was a little shit, causing problems in school, getting into fights. I didn’t hang out with those guys because they were my friends. They had issues, too. Like me.” My hand goes to the skin above my heart, the skull tattoo on my left pec that bears evidence of those days. Dark times and darker themes, I think to myself.
“I know you went through a hard time, but you should be proud of where you are now,” Rainey says.
I raise an eyebrow. “You know? Or you assume?” I ask because I’m well aware her parents didn’t want Jack to be friends with me. Plus, Jack knows a shit ton more about my past than I normally reveal to anyone. I never thought about him repeating it to anyone, especially his sister, and I stiffen at the possibility of him sharing my darkest days.
“I… I know Jack and my parents used to argue about the time he spent with you. And back then, they warned me to stay away from you. But that was the past. They’re proud of what you, Jack, and Tristan have built,” she rushes to say.
I doubt her parents are proud of me, but I appreciate her trying to save her mother and father with the admission.
I merely nod. I need to change the subject and think back to what we’d been talking about when things felt lighter. “Well, once that night happened, Matthew taught me to redirect the anger and frustration I carried about my past, my present, and anything that was bothering me into working out.”
Her gaze softens. “I like that for you. I’m sure it helped.”
I think back to the first time my fist struck the punching bag, how those blows freed me from the buzzing anger that had always been with me. Especially after I’d learned how my parents died. “Boxing helped a lot. I liked getting stronger, feeling more in control.” And that’s why I keep it up to this day.
“Makes sense to me. And Lucas?” she asks, as she gathers our plates. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed about where you came from. It formed the man you are today.” She rises from the bench without meeting my gaze. “Besides, bad boys have a certain appeal.” Without another word, she strides to the already overflowing garbage pail and pushes our plates inside.
No doubt she rushed off because she didn’t want me to catch her blushing, but all I can think of is her admission that tells me this attraction isn’t one sided. Not at all.
We walk to my car in charged silence. The warmth from the sun beats down on our heads, but I grew up in Florida, as did Rainey. We’re used to the heat and humidity.
I open her door and she slides in. It’s not my fault if my stare lands on her tanned legs beneath her skirt, and my cock gives another jolt of awareness inside my slacks.
Ignoring the desire sliding through my veins, I shut her door, jog to my side, and settle in so she isn’t sitting in the sizzling vehicle for too long. Turning on the ignition, I get the AC going on high and drive us back to the club.
Once I walk her to her car, she turns to face me. “Thanks for a delicious and fun lunch.”
“I enjoyed it, too.” A warm breeze floats through the air and a lock of hair blows across her cheek. Reaching out, I tuck it behind her ear, the tips of my fingers grazing her cheek. She shivers, a tremor racing through her, and I glance down to see her nipples, hard peaks visible through her camisole.
She tilts her head up, her lips parted in what looks like a silent request for a kiss. I stare into her eyes, and I’m so fucking tempted to cross the invisible boundary I’ve erected… but I can’t. I wasn’t smart during the early years of my life, and I’ve worked too hard and come too far to screw up again by kissing my business partner’s sister. The woman I have to work with on a party important to both Rainey and the club I own.