Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
His gaze brushes over me as if he’s undressing me, and a tingling sensation tickles my nose. I can’t stop it, sneezing once, twice, three times before I clench my hands together and calm myself.
I’m digging for a tissue in my bag when he says in his southern drawl, “You okay there?”
Sucking in a breath to stop the next one, I hold up a finger for him to give me a minute, and he seems to understand. It would be better if he just moved away.
He takes my packages from me and sets them down in my cart. It’s a thoughtful gesture, and I think he does it because he knows he makes me feel out of sorts.
He’s just standing there, patiently waiting for me to speak.
“You make me sneeze,” I finally say.
“I hope you can find the antidote or we won’t be able to hang out together.”
“It’s worse when I’m surprised by someone, and you’re always sneaking up on me.” Not exactly true, but I’m making up all kinds of excuses.
“Is it because you think I’m hot, Delaney?”
“Doesn’t everyone think you’re amazing and wonderful and hot? Been there, done that with a football player, and not doing it again because all it got me was a broken heart.”
He rubs at the scruff on his beautifully chiseled jawline. “We’re not all cheaters, Delaney.”
“I’m not buying it.”
He gives me a serious look. “Challenge accepted.”
“What challenge?”
“Proving to you that I’m not like anyone you’ve ever met.”
“And how are you going to do that?” I cock my hip and lean against my cart, trying hard to be nonchalant, but it’s hard as hell with six feet four inches of solid muscle running his gaze over you.
“You can start by hanging out with me.”
“We do…in class.”
“No, more than that.” He thinks on it, his top teeth chewing on his bottom lip a little. “Definitely somewhere with a lot of other people.”
“And why is that?”
He sweeps his gaze over me. “I think we both know what’s going to happen if we’re alone.”
Oh. My. God. He is so infuriatingly arrogant that I can’t even…
“I’m not interested in you like that.” Total lie. My body definitely is; it’s my head that’s rebelling.
“Uh-huh.” He grins widely.
My eyes flare. “I’m not.”
“Are you denying what’s going on between us?” His blue eyes are hot as he stares at me, and I might have to step into the ice cream freezer to cool off.
I swallow. “Yes. Flat-out denying.”
He shakes his head and laughs a little, his face so self-assured and freaking confident that I want to scream…or kiss him. What? Where did that thought come from?
He shuffles his feet. “Maybe I’ve been waiting two years for you to be free so I could ask you out.”
What?!
His eyes go back to the packages of ground beef. He clears his throat. “You never answered my question—what’s with all the meat?”
He’s changing the subject. Thank God. “I cook for the upcoming week on Sunday nights. Monday’s taco night, Tuesday’s nacho night, and Wednesday is quesadillas.”
“She’s beautiful and she cooks?”
“Stop flirting,” I snip. “I’m not beautiful.”
“You are.”
My body tingles all over at his simple words.
He leans over into my personal space, and I smell him, dark and exotic with a hint of pure male. His finger tilts my chin up until we’re staring each other in the face.
I recall the sexy convo with He-Man, about us standing in a cramped bathroom having sex against the wall, only now He-Man has a face and it’s Maverick. He’s holding me up, cupping my ass as he slides into me, and I’m gasping his name—
I stop, my heart flying as heat rushes to my cheeks. I look down and realize how close we’re standing. One more inch and my entire body will be plastered against his, and it’s all I can do to stand perfectly still.
Tension crackles in the air as his piercing eyes stare into mine.
“In case you didn’t know it already, I like how you look.” His eyes slowly drink me in, drifting over my face and lingering on my chest. “All that blonde hair, and your green eyes. I dig how tall you are…and your curves.”
Oh, lord. I’m nowhere near as bosomy as most, but I do have nice B-cups.
I’m back in that bathroom fantasy and he’s kissing me, his hand on my breast—
I can’t breathe.
A soft voice brings us both back to the present. “Mav? I…found…you.”
I glance over his shoulder to see a delicate creature with long, flowing russet-colored hair and a heart-shaped face. With creamy, porcelain-perfect skin, she reminds me of the beautiful dolls Nana used to collect. She tilts her head and looks at us with interest.
My lips compress as I turn and mutter under my breath. “You’re here with a girl and you’re hitting on me?”
Ignoring my comment, he takes a step back and simultaneously reaches out a hand to her. “Hey, I lost you at the candy aisle. You find what you wanted?”