More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Because the very last thing I need in my life is someone who makes me feel like there’s not enough oxygen in my lungs when I’ve only just caught my breath.
But I’ve always been a little reckless. “I
Winter rubs her temples like she has a headache. I consider offering her an aspirin from my truck, or an orgasm. I hear those help too.
“I don’t think I know what it’s like to be properly fucked.”
“Winter. I’d have properly fucked you in the back room of that gas station if you’d asked me.”
“I’m going to ruin you tonight.”
“I can’t wait to see how fucking pretty you look when you come with my name on your lips.”
It’s why I’m terrified of telling everyone this news and then losing the baby like last time. Having clothes and toys and plans. Everyone thriving on that excitement, only to have them pour on condolences that I couldn’t even cope with. If I’m going to grieve a loss again, I want to do it privately.
Thanks for letting me know.
I don’t need him. I never did. But he hurt me all the same.
I can resent him and still like his ass. That’s perfectly acceptable.
I have to confess I’m a little lost as to why Winter cares so much about this. I’m not mad about it though. If she wants to play doctor, I’ll be the patient.
It’s annoying that I have to remind my brain that he may be hot, but he’s also shitty.
“It’s just an Americano.” He gestures the cup to me again. I take it, realizing I’m staring at him, wondering why he’s bringing me coffee. “I didn’t know what you like.” I stare down at the lid, almost teary over the fact he’s here. Even though I dropped a bomb on him last night, he’s bringing me coffee. “Other than tequila and doggy style—fuck.” He swipes a hand through his perfectly tousled hair. “Sorry. Can you say something so I stop making awkward jokes to fill the silence?”
For me. That’s the final straw. Tears build in a way that is impossible to stop. All my life, not a single person has prioritized how things might feel for me. And here is this man I barely know, prioritizing me.
“I could fucking bury whoever made you believe you’re as unlovable as you seem to think.”
“Because I fucking adore you. Haven’t you been paying attention?”
He treats me like I’m perfect. Irresistible. Worthy.
That makes me want to burn the world down around us to right the wrongs people have laid at her feet over the years.
“He’s needy too. Requires a lot of hair petting. I think I told him he was handsome too much as a child.”
I know she wants me. I’m just waiting for her to stop freaking out and realize it.
And I just hold her. A woman who needs to be held so damn badly. And I’m the lucky one who gets to do it.
“You do know you’re in love with that girl, don’t you?”
And who knows if he’d mow your lawn for you the way I do. Pretending to garden would be boring and pointless without me to watch. Winter: I do not watch you. Theo: You only ever garden when I’m mowing the lawn. Winter: How do you know? Theo: Because I’m watching you back.
Theo Dale Silva?”
“Stop being so mean to me. It gets me hard when you’re mouthy. Makes me think of all the fun ways I could put that mouth to work instead. And I don’t need a boner right now.”
“He said, ‘Mom, I met her.’ And I said, ‘Who?’” Loretta’s lips curve up, her eyes taking on a faraway look. “He said, ‘The woman I’m going to marry one day.’”
Rude is me telling you that if you wanted a pearl necklace, I could have given you one. Winter: Extra rude. Theo: I’ll stop being rude when it stops making you turn that pretty pink color.
“I’m still a mess now.” I splay my fingers lower on her back, trailing them over the top seam of her underwear as I gaze out over the packed dance floor. “Maybe I don’t care. Maybe I want to be messy with you forever.”
“I promise I’ll never hate you.” I drag my lips over her cheek, my teeth back down along her jaw. “You can’t know that,” she whispers, a sharp intake of breath hissing from between her lips as I spin her and face us toward the mirror. Forcing her to look at us. My hands trail over the silk, tracing every curve, thumbs detouring down into that little dip beneath her hips. “I can. I’ll be too busy loving you.”
Just . . . disrespect me. Just for a bit.”
“You’d like to be my pretty little slut tonight?”
“Good. Now get on your fucking knees and suck my cock like it’ll end in a mouth full of that champagne you keep talking about.”
“Lapping up every last drop, aren’t you?”
“Begging for it like the good little slut you are.”
“No, Theo.” Her tongue darts out between her lips to wet them. “We both know I only come for you.”
“Take it, Winter. Come on my cock.” “Theo!” Her voice is loud now.
“I can’t believe I just fucked a bull rider at my sister’s wedding.”
“No, the quality of yours ruined me. Nobody else swallows my cum like it’s Dom Perignon.”
For the first time in my life, my father appears to be at a loss for words. For the first time in my life, someone has come to my defense.
“Dr. Hamilton in the streets, filthy slut in the sheets.”
“Yes. I’ve grown to hate you being next door when I wish you were next to me. We should try this thing out.”
“Do you like me?”
“Because you make me like myself . . . and you’re the only one who ever has.”
I get the sense he’ll give me everything if I want it. I just need the nervous voice inside my head to shut the hell up. She sabotages me.
“I wish I’d been there.”
And that thought warms me from the tips of my toes to the little fizzy sensation behind my ears. Theo Silva barely knew me but never forgot me. He never gave up on me. He was coming for me with a single-mindedness that I can’t understand.
But I get the sense he isn’t only staring at Vivi. He’s staring at me too. His girls.
I’d like to remind you to sanitize this bench. Last time you used it”—his voice drops lower—“you came so hard that you soaked my face.”
He finds me. He kisses me. He belongs to me.
