Total pages in book: 225
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
And I just can’t come to grips with the talent that man has with his mouth, that hypnotizing gaze, those ten talented fingers and Lord, that male appendage. The right shape and size to drive me wild – with an air of danger because it’s just a touch too big. Which seems to make it extra good for him, because the face he makes when he sinks in that final overwhelming inch? That expression he makes is tinder for the explosions he manages to detonate from the core of me.
When he’s not threatening people I love, he says so many of the right things. He does romantic things. And I feel like I might be slipping because I keep catching myself thinking about an alternate universe where I might let myself slip into the madness with him.
We pull up to the house and Derek gets out, leaving his SUV running.
I’m about to ask about that when he opens the door, so I follow him inside.
He disarms the alarm and turns to me, taking my face into both hands.
“I’ve got some shit to deal with. I’ll be back later. Be good.” He presses his lips to mine briefly, then wraps me up in a tight hug.
I stand still trying to ignore how warm and strong he feels, wondering why I can’t shut off the attraction despite all the crappy things he’s done.
“Am I under surveillance here?” I ask.
He smiles. “Maybe.”
I scrunch my face up. He pokes my nose playfully.
“It’s Tuesday, baby.”
“And?”
“And how about tacos tonight? I’ll get the fixings delivered.”
I shrug. “I don’t know if I want tacos.”
“But you always say every day should be Tuesday.”
I sigh and fold my arms.
He mocks me, copying my stance.
“Anyway…” I mutter.
“Okay, have food delivered if there’s something you want then? I’ll send you Carson’s details. He can arrange it.”
“Carson seems to be a busy guy. I’m sure I can manage groceries for us.”
He smiles. Wide.
I roll my eyes because I realize I’ve just said “us”.
“Oh,” he says, “I just remembered, the rest of your belongings from the rowhouse will be here at about 5:00. I’ll try to be back by then. If not, here, look.” He gestures to the security panel on the wall by the door and shows me how to let the delivery guys in.
“I put the app on your phone yesterday, too, so you can deal with it from anywhere in the house.”
“Are the movers bringing my Cherokee?” I ask.
“That’s already here,” he tells me, pointing over his shoulder.
“The garage?”
“Yep.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t go out though. Stay here. Nobody knows where we live yet. There was media outside the apartment by The Fifth this morning. Just a matter of time before this address gets figured out. Meanwhile, best you stay here behind the gates.”
We left his parents’ place via the service entrance so missed the camped out photographers on our way home. I mean here.
Here I am thinking in ‘us and ‘home’ terms, as if that’s my reality.
But it is my reality, isn’t it?
He kisses me again, then rubs his nose against mine. “Be back soon. Maybe think about paint colors. Other things you want to replace. If I don’t run out of time, I’ll be stopping by the bank today to get you copies of some cards.”
“Cards?”
“Bank and credit cards.”
“I have bank and credit cards.”
He smiles. “I know that, bunny, but you get copies of mine now.”
I roll my eyes. “Maybe I’ll take my frustrations with you out on your cards.”
He shrugs. “Won’t bother me a bit. Back soon.”
He leaves.
I’m not sure what to do with myself. I don’t have work since I’m technically on my honeymoon. And I’m not sure I even want the job anymore. I can’t imagine what Frank thinks of me. I don’t have work friendships with anyone else since everyone is remote and there’s no bricks and mortar office, but we do monthly team video calls and I can only imagine how surprised everyone will be when they find out the new owner of Cavalier who gave me a $10K bonus, married me, bought the company, then gave it to me.
I decide to crawl into bed with the shifter romance and finish the last chapter and epilogue.
I decide to make my first stop my bank to get cards for Chloe. I’ve already called my lawyer in Cleveland and told him of my marital status change and requested my will be set up for Chloe to inherit everything. My next stop is the drug store where I’ve had my pharmacist connection do some custom work, providing me with two birth control pill packages that consist of just the sugar pills. She’s got two packs in her bathroom bag, and I’d sent a photo text to show the package.
After this, I show my face at both clubs and get some shit done, talk to the managers, and when I’m ready to head out to pay a visit to Jeannie Gilligan, I see Alannah Fisher walking out of her office entrance in the Downtown nightclub building.