Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 736(@200wpm)___ 589(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 736(@200wpm)___ 589(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
‘That was the best thing!’ she announced, louder than her usual volume. I took off my own helmet and then helped her take off hers. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair mussed in the best possible way, reminding me of all the things I wanted to do with her that would give her that kind of hair, but even better. And she had such a big smile on her face that it was hard not to smile back at her.
‘I’m glad you enjoyed it, Charlie.’
‘I loved it. Should we go again?’
‘I think driving for the last hour was enough for your first time.’
She bit down on her lower lip and touched the handles on the motorcycle, then she was right in front of me and her palms were on my chest. She leaned up to place a kiss on my cheek and rested her face against mine. ‘Thank you for letting me drive in the parking lot, William.’
I put my hand on the small of her back. ‘You’re welcome, Charlie,’ I whispered softly. I felt her shiver in my arms and my body responded accordingly.
She leaned slightly back, but didn’t pull her hands off me.
I grasped the back of her coat to keep her near, because I wasn’t ready to let her go yet.
‘And thank you for taking me to a diner. I can imagine some people wouldn’t find that romantic, but considering we met at a similar place, it was perfect.’
‘I thought you’d like that.’
‘And the fact that you remember what I ordered that first night we met… mindblowing.’
I smiled.
‘What do we do now?’ she asked softly.
I kept my eyes on hers. ‘Whatever you want to do.’
‘Are you sleepy? It’s getting a little late.’
I shook my head.
‘And we can’t go for another bike ride?’
I shook my head again, but this time with a smile on my face.
She sighed. ‘It was worth a try.’
I laughed, somehow managing to pull her even closer, and went for her lips. She melted in my arms and opened her mouth so I could seek out her tongue. She let out a soft moan that sent fire rushing through my blood and I pulled back to get some fresh air to clear my head.
‘I love kissing,’ she muttered, her eyes half-closed, and touched her lips with her fingers. ‘But I think my lips are swollen.’
‘I love kissing you.’ My admission caused her eyes to open fully and her gaze softened. ‘And you wear it so beautifully. We’re making up for lost time, remember? Be prepared to have swollen lips every day from now on. Seeing you like this makes me want to kiss you even more.’
A group of five people walked past us on the sidewalk and we stood in each other’s arms until we couldn’t hear them any longer.
‘How do you make me smile so easily?’
‘Because I know you.’
‘Would you like to come upstairs for a cup of coffee?’ Charlie asked. ‘I know it’s a little late for coffee, but I… kind of don’t want the night to end just now. Is that weird?’
I took in every little detail of her features. From her beautifully pink lips to the small dot of a beauty mark below her right eye. ‘You know it’s not weird, Charlie. I never want to leave your side as it is, but tonight it’s worse. It was really hard seeing you at the office yet not realizing what was missing between the two of us was this. Being able to touch you. Hold you…’
She bit on her lip. ‘We’re really doing this, huh? My heart is racing.’
‘If by this you mean a relationship, then yes, we are definitely doing this. And you have no idea how much I love the fact that you’re so open and honest. I might be a little obsessed with you, just so you know.’
‘You don’t have to say that.’
She gave me a small smile and took a step back. I reached for her hand as we walked up the steps to her apartment.
‘It’s weird without Pepp welcoming me home.’
She let me walk in and then closed the door.
‘Do you want me to go get him from your neighbours?’
‘It’s past midnight. Antonio wakes up too early. I’m sure they’re already in bed. I’ll go get him before work. It’s okay.’
She locked the door behind us and slowly turned to face me. I could see the nerves playing on her face just as easily as I could see whatever she was feeling right in her eyes on any given day. She was like an open book for me to read.
‘So,’ I started gently. ‘Do I get to see your famous list?’
‘You want to see it?’
‘If I’m allowed.’
She gave me a small smile. ‘Of course.’
Pushing away from the door, she went into her room and came back with a single page in her hands.