Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“You’re kidding, right?” I say, staring up at him in shock. “No way I can climb up there. I’m wearing a dress.”
“Nobody is standin’ underneath us, so don’t worry about that. Now, come on, take my hand and I’ll pull you up.”
I hesitate, and then with a deep breath I get up onto the stump, use the old window frame on the shed to put my foot and then I take Flick’s hand and he pulls. It’s a little awkward, and very uncoordinated, but somehow he manages to hang onto me as I scramble around. I finally get my footing and climb into the big tree. There is a large, thick branch going out quite some way.
“Climb onto that first and sit with your legs either side of it. Don’t look out in front of you yet, though. Just look down until I’m there.”
“Okay,” I say, scooting out onto the branch. I have to look down anyway to make sure I don’t bloody fall.
I put my legs either side of the branch and put my hands down in front of me to hold on. I’m glad no one is in front of me because they’d get a good dose of my panties. I feel the tree shuffle and move and then Flick settles behind me. For a moment, my whole body tenses up as he hooks a hand around my waist and pulls me back so my body is pressed into his.
Oh, god.
I swallow and try to stay calm, but it’s really hard when I can feel his hard body against my back. His legs are flush with mine, both hanging down either side of the branch. He leans in close, his breath tickling the back of my neck, his arms coming through either side of my waist and settling on the tree trunk where mine are. “Look up now.”
I finally look up and gasp.
The way the club is positioned up high, and the branch coming out, means that I can see the entire city lit up like the fourth of July. It’s utterly beautiful. Lights go on for miles and miles and a soft breeze trickles my face. “Oh, wow,” I whisper. “That ... I never knew we were up so high.”
“Yeah,” he murmurs, his breath making me shudder with complete delight. “The club is in a different area and it’s actually uphill quite a bit where we are right now. All that bushland that breaks us from the city goes downhill.”
“That’s amazing. It’s so beautiful.”
“I used to sit up here all the time. Never told anyone about it, was my spot. My place. You’re the only other person who knows it exists now.”
My heart swells, and I take the plunge and reach for his hand. For a moment, his body goes stiff and we both fall into deep silence, and then in a low husky voice he growls, “Briella ...”
“I’m not the only one that feels this. Tell me I’m not.”
I don’t know where my courage comes from, maybe it’s so long hanging onto this connection I have with him, wondering if it’s real or if I’m just imagining it. It’s always been there, from the moment I met him, and as the years have gone by it has only gotten stronger.
“You’re too young.”
His voice is heavy, and husky and god damn I want him so bad it hurts.
“I’m eighteen, Flick.”
“Which is still a fuck of a lot younger than I am.”
“It’s not,” I whisper, linking my fingers into his. “It’s not that much different. What I feel when I’m with you, I’ve never felt anywhere before. It’s different, it’s so strong. You were the last man I kissed because you ruined me for all others. Because of that, I haven’t even ...”
I trail off, and clamp my mouth shut.
“Haven’t even what?” he growls, his voice low and so dangerous I shiver.
“I’m a virgin, Flick.”
He makes a sound in his throat, pleasure, displeasure? I don’t know. All I know is it sends shock waves through my body, making me want him so much more than I already do in this moment.
“Briella,” he growls.
“You’re all I can think about. I haven’t wanted to give it to anyone else. I’ve just been waiting to turn eighteen so I can give it to you.”
“Briella, stop ...”
I can’t see his face, but his voice is so strained and so heavy I know it’s hard on him. I know what I’m saying is hard on him.
“I want you.”
“It’s not right.”
“How? How is it not right? We’re not related. I’m not underage. I don’t understand how it’s not right.”
“My job is to protect you, not fuck you.”
He’s hurting my feelings.
Maybe my fragile eighteen-year-old mind is weak, or maybe it’s the alcohol I’ve had, or maybe it’s my pride, but my charred feelings make it very hard for me to think rationally right now. “Wow,” I snap. “Way to make a girl feel fucking good about herself.”