Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
She intended to roll her eyes, but instead they fluttered, which resulted in a chuckle from the man doing things to her body that only he could do. He could make her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world when he looked at her, but also make her feel like a vixen when they were together like this. He knew how to make her body do things she’d only read about in books.
They peaked, and as they came down from their euphoric high, sunlight blasted through their window. Reid looked toward the beam of light and gasped. “The curtains were open this entire time!” She scrambled to pull the comforter over her body.
Grayson looked over his shoulder and chuckled. “Oops.”
She slapped his chest. “Oops?”
He shrugged and pulled her to his body. “I’m sure no one saw anything, and if they did, they’re definitely jealous.”
“Of you or me?” Her eyebrow raised.
“Definitely me.” Grayson kissed her and seemed ready for another round until his phone rang. He groaned and covered her body with his while he searched the floor for his phone.
“Who is it?”
“Kiran,” he told her as he silenced the call. He moved back to his side and tucked her in next to him.
“That’s the best friend, right?”
“Yeah, nice guy. I like him. I’m helping him do some stuff around the house—fixing some loose boards, cleaning out the gutters, and doing basic maintenance. Things her brother should’ve done but hasn’t. Which I honestly don’t get.”
“Maybe he’s not handy.”
“Maybe, but figure it out.” Grayson shrugged. “I can’t wait for you to see the neighborhood they live in. It’s cute and something I’d like us to work toward.”
“You want to move out of the city?”
He nodded. “Eventually. We want to start a family, and while I enjoy what we have, I think kids need a place to play. Yes, there are parks, but yards are nice to have as well.”
Reid ran her fingers through his hair. “We should get going.”
Grayson groaned again. “Honestly, I’d rather be a tourist today.”
“Tomorrow,” she said as she kissed him.
“Tomorrow it is, then.”
They dressed, grabbed breakfast, and then headed to Nadia’s with a dozen doughnuts. Reid was nervous to meet the girls. Grayson was all about the kids and had stressed how important they were to him, which also posed a problem because he still hadn’t told Nadia why he was truly there.
Grayson parked along a curb but didn’t turn the car off.
“Are we here?”
“No, their house is up the street,” he told Reid. “I’ve been thinking about what you’ve said and how I need to tell Nadia. I agree with you: she needs to know, but I’m not sure if I can do it alone.”
Reid reached for his hand. “You’re not alone, Grayson. I’m here, and we can do it together. But it has to be done. No more secrets; no more hiding. Remember what you said to me last year, how you felt like you have a second chance?”
Grayson nodded.
“Don’t be upset with what I’m about to say, but you’re only taking the ‘second chance’ part to heart when it conveniences you. That’s the same thing the old Grayson did. That guy, he used to hide his feelings and push me away under the guise that he was protecting me. And then you had this miraculous gift given to you, and you wanted to make a change. This part needs to change, Grayson. If you tell me how much those girls mean to you, then be the type of man their father was. Be someone who’s open and honest with the people he loves, and accept that they can handle the truth.”
Grayson gripped the steering wheel and looked forward.
“Can I ask you something?”
He nodded.
“Besides fearing she’ll tell you to take a hike, what are you afraid of?”
Grayson turned and stared at Reid for a long moment. His mouth opened and closed. He went to speak, but his voice cracked. Another minute passed, but it felt like an eternity while Reid waited.
“Rejection,” he finally said. “I remember when we first met, I thought you were out of my league.” He laughed. “Strike that: you are out of my league. But you liked me, and yet, I was a ticking time bomb. You know there was never the right moment to tell you about my heart. It’s not something you bring up when you first meet someone or after you’ve fallen madly in love with them. I couldn’t ever tell you, so I hid it. It was easier that way.
“Now, here I am, hiding it again, because I’m afraid they’re going to reject me or find me unworthy of their love or not want mine in return.”
Reid brushed her fingers through Grayson’s hair. “Want to know something?”
“What’s that?”
“They love you without knowing how you came to be in their lives, and something tells me they’re going to love you after you tell them. The bond you share will only strengthen.”