Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
I quickly push that last thought from my mind.
Unaware of my presence, they stop in the living room. She turns and presses her palms against his sculpted pecs and stares up at him. “I had a really good time last night,” she coos.
“Yeah, it was definitely fun,” Carter replies.
Is it me or does his deep voice sound like it’s been roughed up by sandpaper? Its raspy tone shoots straight to my core before exploding like a firework. I squeeze my thighs together to stop the ache from growing into something more.
I’m mad at this guy, I remind myself harshly. Not attracted to him.
Okay, okay…I’m attracted to him. For the love of God, I’m only human. And apparently, very weak. Not wanting to find him desirable should count for something. But I don’t think it does.
Little Ms. Hookup leans into him as she purrs, “The Sigma Taus are having a huge bash tonight if you’re interested in meeting up for an encore performance.”
I stare at them and shift slightly, feeling like a perv for watching a private moment unfold between Carter and one of his many conquests.
“I’ll have to see what’s going on,” he says evasively. “But maybe I’ll see you there.”
I’m sure Carter wants to keep his options open.
The guy is really something else.
This girl doesn’t realize it, but I’m about to do her a huge favor by outing this player.
Moving forward with the plan, I jump down from the counter. At the sound of my feet hitting the floor, they both turn and spot me in the kitchen. Interest flares in Carter’s eyes.
Getting into character, I plant my hands on my hips and stomp into the living room. Neither of them move. Hookup Girl’s eyes widen in surprise. Carter’s expression turns to one of curiosity. He’s known me long enough to realize that something is coming down the pike. You’d think he might try diffusing the situation by hastily introducing me, but he remains silent.
A smirk lifts his lips at the corners.
Trust me, it’s going to be a real pleasure to wipe that look off his smug face.
“What?” I say in feigned outrage, allowing just a hint of pathetic whininess to fill my voice. “You’re going out again? That’s four nights in a row.”
Caught off guard, Hookup Girl’s gaze bounces between us. “I’m sorry, who are you?”
I press a hand against my chest and repeat, “Who am I?” I laugh shrilly, adding just the right amount of bitterness, and jerk my thumb in Carter’s direction. “Did lover boy forget to mention that he lives with his girlfriend?”
Her mouth drops open. “Girlfriend?” She points at Carter as if there must be a mistake. “You’re his girlfriend?
I blink until moisture gathers in my eyes. “Unfortunately.” My voice wobbles. “Although, I’ll be honest, he’s not much of a boyfriend.” I shake my head sadly and swipe at a tear that has yet to fall. “He just can’t seem to keep his dick in his pants.” I sniffle. “My advice is to get tested right away. He came home with something nasty last month. I don’t want to be too graphic, but oozing was involved.”
Hookup Girl’s hands fly to her mouth as she gasps. Anger ignites in her eyes. “Is that true? Do you two live together?” She doesn’t mention the possible STD I’ve just alluded to.
Since she’s busy glaring at Carter, I flash him a full-wattage grin and wiggle my brows.
His gray gaze doesn’t waver from mine. “Yes, we live together.” Even though Hookup Girl didn’t ask, he adds, “And I’m disease-free.”
I almost lose it at this point, but somehow manage to keep it together.
Adding the pièce de résistance, I turn sideways and pooch out my tummy, settling a hand on the forced curve. “You’re always going out and leaving me and our unborn child home alone.”
Outrage colors her face and her eyes round until they look like they’re on the verge of falling out of her head. “What?” she shrieks. “You’re pregnant?”
Ignoring her, I stare at Carter with tears shimmering in my eyes, and wail, “Do you have any idea how much it hurts when you bring your one-night stands home to throw in my face?” I rub my belly and add, “And what about Junior? He’s going to need his daddy around at some point. You can’t keep acting like we don’t exist.”
Just as Carter snaps his mouth open to finally deny my accusations, Hookup Girl whips around and slaps his face. The resounding crack fills the charged air.
“You’re a real piece of shit, you know that?” She bristles with outrage. “How could you do that to the mother of your unborn child?”
I clap a hand over my mouth and gawk in shock.
Sure…I was expecting anger, just not violence.
“And you can forget about meeting up tonight!” she seethes. “Or any other night, for that matter! In fact, I never want to see you again, Carter Prescott!” She spins toward me and says in a softer voice, “I’m going to give you the number of my dad’s firm. He’s a lawyer who goes after deadbeat dads.” She glares at Carter like he’s the scum of the earth while rooting around in her purse and pulling out a crumpled receipt along with a pen. She scrawls on it and shoves the paper into my hands. “I have a feeling you’re going to need this. Just tell him that you’re a friend of Jackie’s.”