Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
“You didn’t hit your eye, did you?”
“Barely missed. Fuck,” I moan, a throb already taking over.
Her fingers are cool against the heat of my head, and as her body blocks the light, I finally open my eyes and look up at her. With her dark hair twisted on top of her head and held by a bright pink wrap, I get a full view of her face, causing my breath to choke in my chest. Not a lick of makeup hides her natural beauty, although concern rankles through her forehead.
Dropping to her knees in front of me, she rubs her fingers gently over the pulsing injury while her eyes stay fixed on it. When her gaze slides down to mine, she says, “I’m sorry. I thought you were an intruder.”
“Guess I know why you leave the key out front. No one stands a chance against you.”
Her hands fall to her lap as she rests back on her legs. “What are you doing here?” There’s no anger in her tone, only curiosity, the lines of worry finally smoothing.
“Long story.”
“I think we have time.” She stands and offers me a hand. “But we need to get ice on your head.” I don’t need the help, but I accept the offer anyway so it’s not wasted. She gasps, covering her mouth. “You’re naked!” Oh . . . right. Her eyes fix on my lower half before she turns her back to me. Visoring her eyes, she squeaks, “Why are you naked?”
Naked is the least of my worries right now, not that she has much room to talk. Judging by the buds poking against her oversized T-shirt, I assume she doesn’t have much on underneath either. Though I wouldn’t swear an oath on it. I’d need a closer inspection for that . . . fuck.
What am I doing?
It’s Lauralee. Not some woman coming on to me.
Maybe I have a concussion? That would explain having these thoughts about my little sister’s best friend. Though there’s no hiding that she’s all grown, especially with that cotton fabric swinging lightly around her hips as she heads for the living room.
“I didn’t know anyone would be here.”
“Do you always sleep naked?” she asks, her voice traveling from the other room.
When I get up, I hit the nightstand with the bottom of my fist like it offended my family’s name. “Are you taking notes or just curious?” I hear a scoff that makes me laugh as I spy my suitcase through the door. Shit. I walk to the door. I’m not shy about my body. I work hard enough on it, but I’m not looking to make this more awkward than it already is. “My clothes are in there with you.”
“I’ll turn around.”
I stroll out of the bedroom to see her twisting a tray to crack free the ice. Bending down, I grab a clean pair of boxer briefs and slip them on. “All good,” I announce. She didn’t seem too bothered to see my bare body, but it’s best if the entertainment ends the show on a high note.
She slowly turns around with her hands over her eyes. I can see the brown of her eyes as she peeks through the cracks of her fingers. And then she releases a heavy breath as relief washes through her, and a smile graces her face. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I say, stepping closer to the peninsula of a counter separating us.
“I wasn’t expecting someone to break in and enter tonight.”
“No one ever does.”
Her lips tighten as she looks down at a sandwich bag of ice. Wrapping a dish towel around it, she says, “I don’t have food here, like peas or steak, to keep the swelling down. Only ice.” She reaches over the counter to rest it gently on my head. “It’s going to get cold.”
“I can handle it.” I cover her hand with mine, thinking I’m replacing it, but she doesn’t pull away.
Her eyes fall to mine again, and I see the moment something snaps her to reality, causing her to blink twice. She pulls her hand back as she shakes her head. “I should get you ibuprofen.”
She’s gone before I can argue otherwise. When she dips to dig through her bag on the floor, the shirt rides up just slightly. I’m an asshole so I more than check out the smooth curve of her ass. There’s more than a handful to nip if we ever happen to find ourselves in a compromising position. Not that we would . . . It’s Lauralee.
And I know she wants nothing to do with me, or we would have made the move back at that reception. I bend my neck to the side but straighten my spine when she stands. Rattling the bottle in her hands, she grins. “Found them.” Seemingly pleased with herself, she sets the small bottle in front of me, then swings around the counter into the kitchen again.