Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
“Yes, it does,” I agree and snuggle against him.
He laughs, a low and infectious sound that makes me laugh too, before dragging himself to a sitting position. “Feel like a little breakfast?”
“Heck yes, I’m starving.” I watch him, catching my breath. He’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen. How the hell did I get so lucky?
After a quick shower, we make French toast and bacon along with a big cup of coffee. Working side by side with him turns my heart to mush. There’s no more denying that I’m in love with him.
We settle in at the table, and I can’t help the rush of butterflies that swarm through my stomach as I stare at him. He's in his sweats and concert shirt, impossibly perfect. He catches me watching and winks. “If you keep staring at me like that, I’ll be forced to throw your gorgeous ass up on the table and eat you for breakfast.”
Is that an option? I wonder as my sore inner muscles protest that we might not survive another round.
“Can I take a raincheck?” I wink at him. “I still need to recover from rounds one and two.”
“Definitely.” He reaches for my hand and brings it to his warm mouth for a kiss. “I’d never do anything to hurt you, baby.”
I reach for my coffee cup and take a big sip of the much-needed caffeine. His smile hits me in all the right places, but then he speaks, and his words catch me off-guard. “I’m going to miss this when I go back to work tomorrow.”
Work. Right. That part of reality is about to crash in again. My smile fades, just a little, and I pretend to focus on the coffee while I try not to be a complete drama queen about it.
“What’s your schedule like?” I ask, attempting casual, though the reminder of him being away is tugging at me.
“Twenty-four-hour shift, then I’m off two days.” He meets my eyes, and I can see the reluctance there, the same hesitation I’m trying to hide.
“So, I have to share you with the fire department?” I tease, nudging him under the table with my foot.
“Believe me, I’d much rather be here with you.” He grins, and my heart skips like a schoolgirl as he changes the subject. “You busy today?”
“Nope,” I answer, not caring that I sound exactly like the desperate girl I am. “I’m free for the whole summer.”
He pushes away from the table and grabs my hand. “Let’s move my stuff into your room.”
The next thing I know, we’re in my room, stuffing my closet with his clothes, laughing and teasing until there’s no doubt that this is where he belongs. It feels amazing to have him here, to know it’s real.
As I drive to Dallas for the late afternoon baseball game, Eloise chatters away with excitement. We’ve barely seen each other over the last few days since I worked an extra twelve-hour shift in the middle of my regular schedule. Beckett needed someone to pick up extra, and I needed a big favor, so it was a win-win. I covered the shift, and he arranged for me to get tickets to the Dallas Sentinels game.
“Are we going straight to the game?” Eloise glances over and asks, breaking the silence.
“No.” I lift her hand up to my mouth to place a soft kiss on her knuckles. "I’m hoping we have time to check in at our hotel before the game.”
“I can’t wait.” Eloise buzzes with energy. “Do you think we’ll have good seats at the game?”
“Beckett says they’re great,” I reply, hoping they’re as great as his idea for the trip. I want everything to be perfect. But being in this car with Eloise makes every moment feel that way. Her body moves closer as she giggles at something I’ve said. Her excitement is infectious, and the drive to Dallas flies by.
Checking into the hotel feels like a whirlwind. The front desk clerk efficiently processes our check-in with practiced speed, and before I can even gather my thoughts, we’re stepping into the elevator. I glance down at my watch and notice that we’re running out of time.
As we enter the room, I push open the door and let it swing wide, dropping our bags on the plush carpet beside the single, inviting bed. The room is cozy, with warm lighting and soft, neutral tones enveloping us in a sense of calm. I turn to Eloise and ask, “Are you ready to head to the stadium?”
She takes a moment to survey the room, her eyes dancing over the elegant furnishings and tasteful artwork adorning the walls. Her cheerful smile lights up her face, instantly soothing the tension that had been coiling within me. “Sure,” she replies with a carefree shrug.
The stadium is jam-packed when we arrive, a sea of bodies shifting and swaying, and I grip her hand tightly, determined not to lose her in the throng. “Let’s grab a hot dog before we find our seats,” I suggest, steering her toward the concessions.