Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
“We were just fucking with Sharp.” Silas shrugs, and I’m about two seconds from punching it off his face. "Making sure he knows we aren’t going to let him hurt our little sister."
Hudson nods, his wolfish grin widening. "It’s our brotherly duty."
I should be mad, but I know they're doing it out of love for me. "I don’t need you guys to fight my battles for me. I can take care of myself."
Cole wraps an arm around my shoulders, squeezing like the charming pest he is. "We know, Magpie, but screwing with Sharp is too fun to resist."
"You can't spoil all our fun," Tanner interjects.
"I just can't deal with you four," I say, placing my hands on my hips and giving them my fiercest sisterly death glare before turning my back on them.
Todd’s eyes meet mine, his intense look warming me from the inside out. My girly bits wake up and sing as I step closer to him.
His attention is locked on me as if I'm the only thing that exists in his world. Those blue eyes never leave me, and for a second, everything disappears except the sound of my heart crashing around in my chest.
He takes a step forward, and I quicken my pace. My lips smash into Todd's, and I hear my brothers gagging in the background. Silas hollers something about needing to wash his eyes out with bleach, and I flip him the bird behind my back. It’s easy for me to ignore the jerks as Todd pulls me closer, sending my thoughts scattering as my heart goes into overdrive. "I'm sorry, they're such jerks," I say when we come up for air, but Todd just laughs like he's a million miles away from caring about the four bozos.
"I can handle anything they throw my way," he declares, his eyes blazing blue with confidence. His arm wraps firmly around my waist, leading me through the throng as if he's claiming me with undeniable certainty.
We walk past cotton candy stands and carnival games, the festival a blur of color and noise around us.
The sweet smells of funnel cakes and popcorn hang heavy in the air, wrapping around us and making my stomach growl.
Todd instantly notices and stops to buy us each a hotdog.
After eating, we make our way to a shooting gallery, and Todd hands the man a few bills. His competitive streak is showing, and I watch in fascination as he picks up the rifle, a grin spreading across his face.
It only takes him three shots to win me an adorable pink stuffed unicorn.
"Thank you." I take it from him and our fingers brush, sending sparks shooting down my spine.
We meander through the bustling rows of booths, the air filled with the scents of popcorn and fried dough. Between the colorful displays of handmade crafts and local produce, we steal quick kisses, not caring if at least half of the town is watching our PDA.
Todd keeps me close by his side, his hand a reassuring presence on my back. The warmth of his touch is both possessive and protective, and instead of feeling trapped, it grounds me to him as if this connection is the most natural thing in the world.
It's ridiculous how much I want him, how every brush of his fingers or glint in his eyes stokes the fire already burning between us.
We lose track of time as the afternoon bleeds into evening. I'm amazed at how easy this feels, how each laugh and touch seem to chip away at the walls I'd built to protect my heart. By the time the sky starts shifting to purple and orange, I'm leaning into him, my head tucked under his chin as we stand in line for fresh-squeezed lemonade.
I’m in so damn deep. But I can't bring myself to care, not when his arm tightens around me and he whispers something about how much he's missed this, missed us, his breath a warm shiver against my ear.
Todd told me about my brothers’ stunt, and I’m relieved at the way Todd just rolled with it like he's rolling with me now, letting me steer but holding on tight. My heart's a traitorous idiot, skipping and jumping at the way he says my name like a promise.
"Want to get out of here?" I ask, holding my breath, clutching the pink unicorn like a security blanket.
He smiles, bright as the lights strung up around us. "Absolutely," he says, and his grip on my hand tells me he's not letting go this time.
"Would you like to join me for pizza and movies at my place?" My heart races with excitement as I dive headfirst into this relationship without hesitation.
"It’s a date," he says, the word full of promise and something deeper. “I’ll pick up the pizza and meet you at your place.” His hand's warm and sure around mine, and the way he holds on as we walk to our cars tells me I'm not the only one invested in our relationship.