Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“It’s a Vegas wedding. It’s…tacky,” he scoffed.
“Well, I’m happy for them to be able to squeeze it in with his hectic schedule.”
Bodie ran his hand through his shaggy hair. The dirty blond waves slicked back, and I remembered how much that same move had drawn me to him in the first place. I liked that his hair brushed the collar of his shirt. I’d wanted to feel it against my fingertips when I ran them along his neck. I wanted to know if it was as soft as it appeared when I fisted my hands in it while he ate me out. I’d wanted to know if he was as muscled all over his body as his arm looked when it flexed across the club. The exact same move as now.
Except now, I looked at that same move with dread—realizing it hinted at his agitation more than anything else.
“I know, I know.” He took a deep breath before facing me, showing some effort to calm down. “It’s just hard thinking of you in Vegas without me. It’s so risqué. Especially with Austin there.”
He sneered Austin’s name, unable to hide how much he hated him.
“You know there’s nothing going on.” How could he not when I’d explained that Austin and I were just friends about a million times?
“I just don’t like the way he looks at you.”
Obviously, he didn’t take the time to notice the way I looked at Austin. I couldn’t help but ogle all his muscles and brooding sexiness that poured off him. Not that I’d ever do more than look. Austin was my best friend—sometimes closer than the girls. He was my Instagram boyfriend who took all my photos. Austin was my Netflix and literally chill. No amount of sheer sex on a stick could ruin that.
When Bodie went back to pacing and took another swallow from the glass, I took the opportunity to go in the kitchen and snag a water bottle. I lived in a decent-sized apartment in New York, but his attitude took up too much space, making it feel as cramped as a tiny loft. “You have nothing to worry about,” I explained, struggling to keep the exasperation out of my voice.
I was tired of the conversation.
I was tired of Bodie.
I just wanted him gone—preferably forever, but I said I’d stick it out a little longer. At least until the end of my dad’s campaign. I knew my dad didn’t care if I was single, but everyone knew family played a huge role in voters’ thoughts. I could be wild, but with a steady boyfriend by my side, it was more acceptable.
I turned back to put my bags by the door when I collided with Bodie’s lean chest. My heart jumped into my throat, choking back the yelp of surprise—only to start beating a mile a minute. He wasn’t as tall as Austin, but the way his brows slashed down his angled face created a sinister look—one I’d come to avoid at all cost.
One I couldn’t get away from now as he cornered me. With every step forward, I took one back.
Shove past him and tell him to fuck off, a lingering voice from before Bodie encouraged, but I’d learned to ignore that voice, and slowly it faded to almost nothing.
“It would make me feel better about our relationship if you supported me more. It was embarrassing how you didn’t speak up at dinner.”
I wanted to say that I didn’t think his volatile attitude was a good choice for my dad. Instead, I dug deep for calm and said, “My opinion isn’t going to change his mind about your offer.”
“A little effort wouldn’t hurt either way.”
His gritted words were my only warning before he gripped my arms too tightly. I tried to jerk back, but my back hit the counter, and I was trapped as he closed the space between us to nothing. I hated that I winced, having no doubt his fingers were leaving bruises.
Despite the show of weakness, I held his stare. I might have fallen from the fuck-you-woman I’d been and avoided him when I could, but I didn’t cower. I made sure he knew I saw him and what he did.
The crease between his brows softened, and he sighed. His grip loosened, but he didn’t let go, instead rubbing over the sore spots. “I just…I don’t want you to go, and I’m being touchy about it.”
“I get that, Bodie, but I am going.” I infused steel into my words, making sure he knew I wouldn’t back down.
Like the flip of a switch, his grip tightened even more than before. “Maybe you could care a little that I’ll miss you. That would be nice.”
Nice? He wanted nice?
The sharp pain radiated up my arms and into my chest, sparking to life a dangerous flame. A flame I’d once grown to a beautiful fire until he came along and squashed it. Until he came along and slowly sprinkled it with water until it could be cowed into submission before I even knew what was happening.