Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Great.” Rafferty grabs his beer, shoves money at the bartender and steps back from us. “I’m going to circulate. I’ll be ready to head out in about an hour.”
I lift my chin in acknowledgment and Rafferty spares a glance at Farren. “That okay with you? Leave in about an hour?”
I don’t think he automatically assumes she wants a ride, as she knows several of the players and their significant others and she’s hung out with them without her brother on prior visits.
As evidenced by the fact that twice we hooked up after Rafferty had gone home.
Farren nods. “Sounds great.”
The moment he’s out of earshot, she asks in a low murmur. “Rain check?”
I meet her gaze, torn between frustration and amusement. “Guess it’ll have to be.”
“I suppose you could wait for Rafferty and Atlas to get drunk and pass out and then sneak into my room,” she says playfully.
“Yeah… not about to take the risk of your brother finding out and killing me.”
“Party pooper.” She hums and then laughs huskily. “Have fun with your bromance.”
And just like that, she’s gone, leaving me standing there, wondering how the hell I’m supposed to keep this up.
CHAPTER 4
Farren
The day dawns in a haze of late December light streaming through the guest bedroom window, and I lie in bed for a few extra minutes, scrolling aimlessly through my phone. A small smile plays on my lips as I reread my text exchange with North night before last. He reached out to me after he got home from Stone and Harlow’s wedding reception.
Nothing too risqué, but there’s no doubt where North and I are headed soon.
North: You awake?
Me: Yup. What’re you doing?
North: Lying on the couch. Watching some dumb action movie. You?
Farren: Thinking about you right now?
North: Oh yeah? What exactly are you thinking about?
Farren: Let’s just say it involves you, me, and that couch you’re lying on. Except you wouldn’t be just lying there.
North: Go on… I’m intrigued. You sure you’re not trying to distract me from this incredibly deep, thought-provoking film I’m watching?
Farren: If your movie is more interesting than me, then we have a serious problem. But something tells me I’d have your full attention.
North: You always have my full attention. What would I be doing on this couch instead of lying down? Enlighten me.
Farren: I can think of a few things. But for starters… I’d be sitting on your lap. And you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands to yourself.
North: You’re assuming I’d even try.
Farren: You’d try. I like it when you’re hands-on.
North: Noted. Now let me paint you a picture: You’re on my lap, and I’ve got my hands on your thighs. What happens next?
Farren: Depends. Are you going to behave?
North: Absolutely not. I’d slide one hand higher while the other pulled you closer. You wouldn’t be able to get away.
Farren: Who said I’d want to?
North: Good answer. Now stop teasing me or I’ll lose all patience.
Farren: Who’s teasing? Just laying the groundwork for later.
North: Later? Don’t leave me hanging like this.
Farren: Relax, Paquette. You’ll get everything you want… eventually.
North: “Eventually” better be soon, Abrams. You’re making it real hard to focus on anything else right now.
Farren: Good. That’s exactly what I wanted. Sweet dreams, North.
North: Sweet dreams, Farren.
It was sexy and sweet all at the same time, and the fact that I’m smiling about it is concerning. I don’t do sweet, but North has that tiny bit of cinnamon roll thing going on. I know that he can be domineering when we’re naked and I get off on that, but outside of the heat of passion, he’s almost a little hesitant.
He hasn’t pushed to make plans with me the last few days and I can only assume he doesn’t want to pin me down because it’s the day before Christmas. He probably assumes I’m going to be spending it with Rafferty, but after going out for drinks with Tempe last night and seeing that she has feelings for my brother, I’m making an abrupt change of plans.
I swing my legs out of bed and head to the kitchen to find Rafferty scrubbing the sink. It’s adorable the way his tongue sticks out the side of his mouth when he’s concentrating. He’s invited Tempe over for dinner tonight and if I’m reading the situation right from the vibes I’m picking up from both of them, I think things are heading to a new level.
He glances up at me, his face softening in that brotherly way that always makes me feel like a kid, even though I’m a grown woman.
“Morning,” he says, setting the sponge down to grab a mug from the cabinet. He pours a cup of coffee and passes it to me. “I’m surprised you’re up so early after your wild night out with Tempe.”
I snort at the implication. “It wasn’t wild and I was back home and in bed long before you even got in from your game.” The Titans had an out-and-back game against the Florida Spartans, and Tempe and I watched from a downtown Pittsburgh bar. Rafferty got home long after I was in deep sleep and I didn’t even hear him come in. “Tempe and I had a nice, quiet evening watching the game. She’s great, by the way, since I haven’t said it directly. I approve.”