Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Some sort of deity must be smiling down on me, because there’s no line and my makeup’s perfect—not a smudge or crease in sight. And my pride... well, she’s a little worse for wear, but still hanging in there.
Unfortunately, a certain jackass’s presence has all but obliterated my desire for a night out, and now, the only thing calling my name is a steaming hot shower, my pjs, a good book, and my bed.
I touch up my lip gloss before heading back out into the bar, winking at my reflection in the mirror. I may be heading home, but I damn sure want to look my best as I go.
I keep my shoulders back and head high as I saunter toward the exit, making sure to add an extra sway to my hips when I feel someone’s eyes on me, but I refuse to look back toward the bar and give him the satisfaction.
The door swings open right as I approach, revealing Clint, with a massive bucket of ice clutched in one hand. Like the gentleman he is, he holds it open, allowing me to step through before he enters.
“You heading out?”
“Yeah.” I nod, nibbling my lower lip. “Thanks for my drinks.”
He lifts his hand and then drops it, as if he was going to reach out for me but thought better of it. “Any time. You be safe, okay?”
“I will,” I murmur, before continuing down the steps. Luckily, I scored a parking spot near the door. I am ready to put this whole ass night in my rear view.
“Is that a freaking ticket?” I mutter as my car comes into view. “I swear to god…” I snatch the sheet of paper from beneath my windshield wiper, but it’s not a ticket… Not even close.
Has anyone ever told you your smile lights up a room? Well, it does. And don’t even get me started on your voice… The way you say my name makes me lose my breath. I can’t help but wonder how much sweeter it would sound for you to moan it.
-Your Sweetheart
“What in the…” I clutch the paper to my chest as I whirl in a circle, trying to catch whoever left this for me.
But there’s no one. The parking lot is quiet and still—too still for a Friday night.
My skin turns to gooseflesh, despite the unseasonably warm air, and I rush to get in my car, locking the door after me.
“It’s fine,” I say out loud. “Everything’s fine. It’s…just a note. A harmless note, and who knows, it probably wasn’t even meant for me.”
Yeah, that’s it, I think, as I start the car and put it in reverse. “It’s not like whoever wrote it mentioned me by name.”
And if I was the intended recipient, well… it’s kind of sweet. Weird, too. But sweet, in a secret-admirer kind of way.
TWO
ELLIS
“She yours?” Silas asks as I try—and fail—not to watch Scarlet as she stomps her way across the bar.
“Hell no,” I spit the words, even as my eyes eat up all the tanned skin she has on display in her short-shorts and tank top. It’s unreal how someone so unbearable can be so damn fine.
He hums under his breath, and I cut my eyes his way, only to find him trying to hide his grin behind his beer bottle.
“What?” It’s one word—one fucking syllable, growled out like a dog defending his bone, and I immediately wish I could take it back. Because I already know how I sound…
Defensive. And I hate it, but that’s Scarlet’s effect on damn near everyone. Her ability to get under my skin is unparalleled. She knows my every button and is an expert at pushing them.
From the literal night we met, here in this very spot, she’s done her best to drive me up the damn wall. She’s wild, reckless, a little rude, and a whole lot tempting. But she made it clear she wasn’t into me when she cozied up with my best friend the morning after we met.
And it’s fine. Totally fine. It’s not like I was into her either.
Fuck that.
“Just saying.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “You're awfully possessive over a woman who’s not yours. You want her to be?”
“Possessive?” My eyes nearly bug out of my skull as I try to make sense of what he’s saying. Because there’s no universe in existence where I’m possessive over Scarlet Armstrong. She’s nothing more than the devil in a dress. “You’ve got it twisted.”
“Nah, man, I don’t think I do. Only thing twisted is your damn panties. You watch her like a predator tracking its prey… like if you look away, even for a second, she might disappear.”
He’s wrong. Beyond wrong. It’s laughable how wrong he is. The only thing I want from Scarlet is for her to go away. I damn sure don’t want her to be mine. She’s barely tolerable on a good day, and good days with her are few and far between.