Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 86(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 57(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 86(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 57(@300wpm)
“Just Pretend,” she told me, opening her eyes.
I grinned at her. “Really? That’s one of my all-time favorite songs.”
She nodded, a real smile tilting her lips this time. Something tight in my chest loosened. “I love rock music. Something about it soothes the soul.”
I shut the truck off. “Agreed.” After pushing open my door, I pointed a finger at her. “Sit still. I’ll come around and open your door.”
She laughed, her beautiful smile getting wider. My soul finally settled. “Yes, sir.”
This was bad. So bad. And if I had any sense about me, I’d part ways with her after this date and cut my losses. But I could barely even entertain the thought.
I was so fucked.
four
Mikayla
The date with Beau the night before was incredible, to say the least. Conversation with him was easy, and he was so sweet and attentive. Then other times, he looked at me with this look… like he was thinking about eating me. And fuck, every time, it got me all hot and bothered. I lost count of the number of times I thought about dragging him out of that booth and to the bathroom to let him do the nastiest things to me imaginable.
And I had a feeling that man would do them without question or shame.
Groaning, I rolled over in bed and grabbed my phone off the charger, squinting at the bright screen. It was still dark outside, but I needed to get up and shower so I could head to the gym, take over for the night shift, and get things ready for the classes today.
Beau’s name was the first thing to greet me on my screen, and a smile tilted my lips. The man had already shamelessly texted me this morning, and I loved it. Couldn’t get enough of it. I adored a man who wasn’t afraid to go after what he wanted hardcore.
Beau: Good morning, goldie. I know it’s early, but I was wanting to know if you’d be interested in another date? Your choice this time.
I beamed at my phone, my heart fluttering in my chest. This man…. Oh, this wonderful, gorgeous, confident man. I couldn’t get enough of him. I was going to fall head over heels in love with him, and I wasn’t even afraid of it.
Even if things ended badly between us, I couldn’t help but want to chase this with my arms wide open, even if only for the experience of a man openly wanting me so much and not being afraid to show it.
Mikayla: Good morning! I’d love to go on another date with you. Not sure what time I’ll be finished with work, but we can just do fast food and my place after?
Beau: Sounds good, goldie. I’ll see you in a bit.
Mikayla: You will?
Beau: Yes, ma’am. Not missing out on an opportunity to see you. ;)
“Lennox, I’m going out to get lunch!” I called as I walked out of the classroom. I’d just finished doing a beginner’s boot camp class, and my clothes were clinging to my skin and my stomach was rumbling. I needed food ASAP or I was going to wither away into nothing. Probably a bit overdramatic, but that was how it felt.
“I want a salad!” she called.
“Really?” I questioned, making the guy on the treadmill snicker. “Are you sick?”
“Screw you, Mikayla!” she called from the office with a laugh.
Chuckling under my breath, I walked out of the door and began the walk down the sidewalk to the fast food chicken restaurant up the street. I could’ve taken my car, but I wanted the fresh air. And it was actually still kind of cool outside with Fall moving in and making its appearance, so I wanted to savor it. What better way than to go on a small walk?
The inside of the restaurant was calm compared to the drive-through line that was almost out into the road, but that was typical for the lunch time rushes in this small town. Walking up to the counter, I put in two salad orders and then moved to the side to wait for them.
“Oh, hey, you’re the new gym owner, right? Mikayla?”
I turned to look at who had spoken to me. A beautiful, curvy woman was smiling at me. She was wearing black scrubs with colorful butterflies all over them, her reddish-brown hair up in a ponytail. She held her hand out to me with a beaming smile, and I quickly returned her energy and her handshake.
“Yeah—I’m Mikayla,” I told her, my own smile tilting my lips.
“I’m Harbor Augustine. My husband is the Sergeant at Arms of the Storm Hogs MC. Beau’s mentioned you a couple of times.”
My cheeks colored the slightest bit, and I felt suddenly shy at the thought of Beau liking me enough to talk to what was basically his family about me. “I, uh…”