Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
I examined the edge of the slat in my hand. “Anyone who wants to wear a cape should wear a cape. Doesn’t matter how old you are.”
Dex smiled. “Really? So you wouldn’t think twice if your teenage son or daughter waltzed out of the house in combat boots and a cape.”
“Not at all. I would advise them to stay away from elevators, escalators, and heavy machinery, but otherwise, have fun.” I pointed at the rough wood in his hand. “Watch the grain.”
“And what if they got teased at school? Kids can be vicious.”
I furrowed my brow threateningly. “I would pay a visit to the offending kid and their parents.”
He waved a piece of sandpaper in front of his face. “Christ, that’s kind of hot.”
“You’re very strange, Dexter.” I snatched the square of sandpaper from him and shook my head. “Always sand in the direction of the grain. Like this.”
“Got it.”
We continued working in silence for a while. Coltrane gave way to Sonny Rollins, but Dexter wasn’t humming.
“You’re worrying again.” I mumbled under my breath in Swedish, and translated, “It’s making your brain full of cheese tonight.”
He huffed as he set the sandpaper down and brushed off his palms. “My mom called today. She has questions. All I can say is, I preferred the radio silence.”
“What kind of questions?” I prodded.
Dexter leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he massaged his temples. “Just thinking about her gives me a headache. It’s easier to deal with constant disappointment. At least I know what to expect there.”
I wanted to tell him not to think of her, but I was curious. “Dex…”
“She wants to visit me. In Wood Hollow. That’s code for ‘I want to judge you and see if you’re capable of parenting.’ Like I need her permission. She’s unbelievable. I mean, that takes a lot of fucking balls.”
“Or maybe she just wants to apologize in person.”
“That’s cute,” he huffed. “My mother doesn’t apologize. It’s been weeks since that debacle in Michigan, and I haven’t heard a peep from her.”
“Has she ever been to Wood Hollow?”
“Never. Not once. She’s never seen the shop, my house, doesn’t know or care about flag football. A guy could take that kind of thing personally.”
“She might not know how to say things…nicely, you know?” I pointed at my chest. “I’m guilty of this too sometimes.”
He turned his head and offered a breathtaking smile. “Yeah, but I don’t think your end goal is to take over my life.”
“As a clear-minded, capable adult in his thirties, I believe you have the final word as to how you live your life.”
“Gee, you make it all seem so simple.”
I set the tool aside and rolled my stool closer to his. “Family isn’t simple, and your mother is not the most pleasant person I’ve ever met, but she’s the one you have, so you deal with her or establish boundaries. Whatever makes sense for you and the baby.”
Dex straightened, nibbling his bottom lip as he swiveled to face me, his knees brushing my inner thighs. “This is what I mean about the cranky curmudgeon act. I don’t buy it. You’re just too good at being…very cool.”
“I never said I wasn’t cool.”
“That’s true.” He leaned his head on my shoulder and sighed. “Are we finished for the night?”
“You have a headache?”
“Just a little one. Thankfully, it’s the kind that’ll go away with a little sexual healing. And I think you owe me a BJ,” he singsonged.
I rubbed his temples and kissed his nose. “You’re a nuisance.”
“You don’t mind.”
Not even a little bit.
We cleaned up before crossing the lawn to the house. The kitchen lights were on and the pot of chili I’d made for dinner was cooling on a back burner. I reminded myself to put it in the fridge…later. I had other priorities now.
I hooked a finger in Dexter’s belt loop, pulling him to my chest. The kiss went from tentative to urgent in seconds flat, the way it always seemed to with us. Dex morphed into an octopus, pushing me against the wall, grabbing at my T-shirt, and wrapped his leg around mine. I captured his face and took control, sucking his tongue, licking his neck, and nipping his jaw. I wanted to taste every inch of him, and I didn’t want to wait.
I undid his belt and zipper and lowered his jeans and boxer briefs. I squeezed his butt, chuckling as he swayed forward, no doubt in a quest for friction.
“Not so fast. I thought you wanted me to blow your mind.” I curled my fingers at his base and stroked him. “Through your dick.”
Dex dropped his head with a moan. “Ungh! Yes.”
“Where are your manners? Say please,” I teased, smacking his ass.
“Please. And hurry the fuck up. I’m dying now.”
One rough kiss later, I was on my knees, swallowing him whole. Dex’s breath hitched as I sucked him to the root. His hands were in my hair, and he was babbling incoherently. “Fuck, yes. Fuck, yes…yes, yes, yes.” I tuned him out, too engrossed to come up for air. And when I finally did, I pumped his shaft and twirled my tongue lazily, lapping up precum like a cat.