Page 121 of Vows We Never Made

I wonder if she’d notice if I manhandled her thigh.

Would she keep talking books if I hiked up her skirt and fucked her with my fingers right here on the deck?

My dick throbs, demanding an answer.

“Booktok,” I snarl it like a curse, pulling her closer, turning her so my body shields her from view. “What’s your plan? And don’t tell me these are coloring books?”

She laughs, giving me a suspicious look.

“No, a lot of them are romance and thrillers. Some fantasy. Fast-paced reads with a bit of action and spice gets a ton of attention and—um, what are you doing?”

“Listening intently to my fiancée’s business plans. What does it look like?” I slide my hands around to her ass and squeeze. “Keep talking. I’m all ears.”

“Like hell.”

“Hanging on every word.” I squeeze her lush cheeks again for emphasis, watching as her eyes darken with delight. That ass is a masterpiece made for the sweetest insanity. “You were talking about your pulp fiction? How readers like their smut? Fast and hard novels?”

Laughing, she shakes her head.

“Well, close enough. There’s no controlling reader tastes. The books go viral and get millions of views for good reason. They’re not just smut, though. They’re well written and exciting.” She licks her lips as my hands dip to the hem of her dress, then crawl up under it. “Anyway, I thought maybe if we pivot and feature popular books, we’ll bring in younger readers and help support authors too. We could even stock up on fancy special editions or host signings and book clubs for more attention.”

“I see.” I gently ease her thighs apart. “So, you’re going to fill the store with books no reader over forty has ever heard of?”

“Not exclusively! I mean, Mr. Sneed left quite an inventory behind, so we’ll still be selling everything from ancient history to old-school mysteries and science books for the college kids. But viral fiction, it’s a big market with a lot of leverage.” Her head tips back as I slide a finger over her clit. Her pussy quivers as I drag my finger down. She’s so fucking wet for me my breath stalls in my throat. “We… we might niche down more if this works out. Not sure yet.”

“Sounds like it’s worth a try.”

Same for the way I tease her cunt, pushing two fingers into her wet heat.

“I have big—big plans!” she gasps, gripping my shoulders. I feel her tremble. “A grand reopening, when the time comes.”

“And the name, Pages? That’s your biggest problem. Sneed’s out of the picture.”

“Um, we’re… we’re working on it. Margot’s helping me brainstorm. Right now, we’re leaning toward something like Pages and Sage.”

“Very personal.” I blow on the shell of her ear, holding my fingers in her, stroking her walls so slowly. “Are you excited?”

“Yes! Oh God.”

Her voice ends in a squeak as my hand thrusts deep. My cock jerks like mad, watching her redden.

“I’d like to reopen once we’re back from our honeymoon, before it gets too cold and the tourists drop off. If we’re back by fall, I mean…”

The honeymoon, fuck.

I haven’t given it much thought—the wedding planner suggested we come up with something on our own, and we’ve been too busy working to think about it.

“We can be back then if you want.” I fuck her slowly with my fingers, watching as her eyes turn glassy.

No one sees what I’m doing, no one but me, and it makes my blood molten.

I can smell her scent.

“Ethan,” she moans, shifting her hips restlessly against me.

“Let’s talk about the honeymoon now,” I demand, adding more pressure with my thumb. We’ve been fucking long enough for me to know exactly how to play her.

All the secret buttons that get her off.