Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 106797 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106797 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
I pulled a smooth, red scrap of fabric from the bag. It was the top to a swim suit. Which meant there was a bottom. Which meant it was two pieces, not one.
Willow smiled wider, pointing at the string dangling from my fingers. “And this weekend, when you’re celebrating the Fourth of July with Rhodes, be sexy as fuck.”
I choked out a laugh. “I can’t wear this. It’s a two-piece.”
“And you’re a fox. I mean it,” she said, lowering her head to meet my gaze. “Just promise me you’ll try it on. Please?”
I nodded. “Okay.”
Even though the thought terrified me, maybe it was time to start finding comfort in my new skin. Willow’s words played over and over in my head, growing in volume each time. I didn’t know if what I had with Rhodes would last. I could end up in a blissful heaven or I could fall to the floor and break into a million tiny pieces. Either way, I wasn’t going to waste any of the moments I did have with him.
Pulling Willow in for a long hug, I let my eyes brim with tears knowing she was leaving in just twelve short hours. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’ll do without you here.”
“Don’t sweat it,” she said, squeezing me in return. “And something tells me Rhodes and his wang will keep you busy.”
“Don’t say wang ever again.”
“No promises.”
The first days of July flew by in a heated frenzy. Rhodes trained me harder during the days and loved me longer through the nights. If I thought the heat I felt from him was dangerous before, I was practically jumping into a volcano at this point. But I craved the burn.
Standing in front of my full-length mirror in nothing but a tiny swim suit on the Fourth of July, I felt particularly sweaty. Rubbing my palms against the tops of my thighs, I turned to the left, inspecting my exposed skin. The cherry red top and bright white bottoms blazed against my tan, though my stomach was a few shades lighter. I was far from being able to walk without jiggling, but at the same time, my curves were more defined than before. My waist was smaller, the skin around my hips more taut — I felt like maybe I could pull it off.
Blowing out a long breath, I threw on my navy blue cover up and beach hat before I could talk myself out of it. Just as I was about to walk out the door to meet Rhodes, my phone pinged.
“Hey guys!” I said when the video of Mom and Dale came into focus. They were spending the holiday in the Hamptons with Dale’s friends from New York.
“Oh sweetie!” Mom squealed, her hands flying to her mouth. “You look so great!”
“Mom, you just saw me last week.”
“It feels like longer.”
Dale laughed. “She’s right though, Natalie. How did the weigh-in go?”
I filled them in on Willow’s party and my milestone weigh-in. I left out everything about Rhodes other than our training sessions, of course. I knew they’d find out eventually, but I still wasn’t sure how Mom would take me choosing Rhodes over Mason. That was definitely an in-person conversation.
Dale high-fived me through the screen for standing up to Shay and Mom swatted at him, but she seemed to be proud, too. Dale went into detail about their planned day out on the yacht, too, which made me miss them more than I realized. In a way, I wished they were home, even if I was enjoying the time alone with Rhodes.
Mom nodded along with Dale as he talked, her blonde hair blowing slightly in the breeze from the porch where they were standing. She was smiling, though she looked more tired than usual. I noted the dark skin above her cheeks and the tensed edges of her eyes. I wondered if Dale was still working on his addiction, but I didn’t chance asking. After blowing them each a kiss, I ended the call and sprinted out the door to the Rover.
I was still nervous each time I knew I was about to see Rhodes. When he bounded out of his apartment, his backpack slung over his shoulder and a wide smile on his lips, I faltered, nearly revving the engine. He swung open the door and tossed his bag in the back before grabbing my face between his hands and kissing me like he hadn’t spent the night before in my sheets.
“Nice hat,” he said, flicking it with his finger as he pulled back and fastened his seatbelt. He was dressed in black and gray, simple swim trunks and a white shirt that I knew would eventually be pulled off to reveal his god-like abdomen. Realizing I would be showing my own midriff soon, I swallowed.