Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“The night at The Black Cat was the first time I let myself go. Drinking and dancing with you … kissing you. But then I got home, and the guilt consumed me.”
“I can’t tell you how to feel,” I say. “But I know that if I were lucky enough to be with you and something happened to me, I would want you to move forward and find happiness. Maybe it’s because as a paramedic, I’m exposed to death more often than most, but it’s made me see how precious life is, and it shouldn’t be wasted. Every day, I wake up and try to live my life as if it’s my last because the fact is, it very well could be.”
Kinsley nods in understanding as she sniffles back her cries.
“I want to do that,” she admits. “I want to live my life. I just don’t know how.”
“Let me help,” I tell her, sliding my hand around to the back of her head and gently pulling her face toward mine. “Let me help you live again.”
“How?” she whispers, her mouth only inches from mine.
If I wanted to, I could lean in and kiss her, but I don’t want to do that. I want it to be her choice.
“Kiss me.”
“What?” she breathes, her beautiful blue eyes widening in shock.
“Kiss me, Sour Patch. Kiss me and let me help breathe life into you again.”
She stares at me for several seconds, and just when I think she’s going to tell me no, she leans in the rest of the way and presses her soft lips against mine.
We stay like this for a few beats, and as much as I want to take over, I stand still, letting her lead the way, needing for it to be on her terms.
And then her lips curve around mine, and her tongue slides between my lips, and I take that as my cue to take control.
Tightening my hold on her hair, I tug her toward me so our bodies are flush, and then I deepen the kiss. Our tongues tangle around one another, and when mine catches hers, sucking on it and getting a taste of her sweetness, she moans into my mouth.
The loud noise in the otherwise quiet bookstore has her opening her eyes and realizing where we are.
“Oh my God,” she breathes, her cheeks tinged that adorable shade of pink. “What is it about you that has me losing my mind and letting you kiss me in public places?”
She scrunches her nose up, and without thinking, I lean in and kiss the tip of it.
My hand lands on the wall, and my body presses up against hers.
“Actually,” I say, running my lips across her cheek and over to her ear, “you kissed me both times.”
I’m considering kissing her again because, fuck, I can’t get enough of this woman, but before I can, I see Taylor rounding the corner.
“There you guys are!” She huffs. “I’ve been looking everywhere for …”
She stops in her tracks, her perceptive eyes taking in the situation. With Kinsley leaning against the wall and me caging her in with my body pressed up against hers, it’s obvious what we were just doing.
“Oh, actually, I’m just going to go,” Taylor says with a knowing grin. “Continue on.”
“Not happening,” Kinsley mutters, ducking under my arm. “Let’s go.” She links arms with Taylor and glares back at me. “Your dad is trying to get us kicked out for PDA.”
Taylor barks out a laugh. “Who knew my dad had game?”
“Technically, we have one and a half movies left,” Taylor says on our way home, “since you totally passed out within the first half of the second movie. Plus, I took off today to go to the book signing, so I don’t have to be anywhere the rest of the day. I’m just saying, today would be the perfect day to finish the movies.”
I’m about to tell Taylor that it’s not happening and we’re dropping Kinsley off at home, that she’s given us enough of her time and she probably has things to do, when Kinsley says, “You’re right. And it’s probably best if we watch them during the day because I’m the worst at staying up late. But we’re only watching them on one condition. Your dad needs to make us ribs again because they were so good, and I’ve been craving them ever since he made them the last time.”
Taylor glances my way with a look that says I’d better say yes. So, of course, I have to give her a hard time.
“Sorry, kid. I was planning to order Chinese.”
Taylor glares, and Kinsley laughs.
“I’m kidding.” I glance over at Kinsley, who’s sitting next to me in the front seat. “You want my famous ribs? All you have to do is ask.”
“Oh my God, I’m so full.” Kinsley leans back and rubs her flat stomach. “Those are the best ribs ever. You should consider opening your own restaurant.”