Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“You’re worth losing a few hours of sleep.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
“Keep me?” I suggest, making her laugh.
“Kiss me and go home and get some rest.”
Not needing to be told twice, I lean over the counter and kiss her. “Use that key, Rams,” I whisper against her lips.
“Are you sure?”
“If I had it my way, you’d come home to me every night. Yes, I’m sure.”
Her eyes soften. “Drive safe.”
“I always do. You got my bill?” I ask her.
“It’s already taken care of.”
Pulling two twenties out of my wallet, I reach over the counter and shove them into the tip jar with her name on it. She tries to stop me, but I’m not having it. “That’s too much.”
“You’re my girlfriend. It’s the same as me keeping it in my wallet.” I toss her a wink and head out the door.
It’s just after eleven, and I’m awake in bed. I can’t sleep because I can’t stop thinking about Ramsey and wishing she were here with me. I also don’t want to miss her text, telling me that she got home safely. I hate her working late hours. Sure, Willow River is a safe town, but there are all kinds of people in this world who do bad things. I can’t help but worry.
I’m holding my phone, waiting to hear from her, when my bedroom door creeps open. I don’t know how in the dark of the room, but I know it’s her. “Ramsey?”
“I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“You didn’t. I was waiting for you. Is everything okay?”
“You said I could use my key, well, the key you gave me, and I missed you.”
“Come to bed, baby.”
“I really need to shower.”
“You know where everything is.” I hear her moving around the room and then her arm patting mine.
“It’s so dark in here,” she whispers as she leans over and finds my lips in the dark.
“I can turn on the light,” I say after getting my kiss.
“No, it’s fine. Try to go to sleep. I’ll be quick.”
I listen as she walks back around the bed and disappears into the bathroom, with a soft click of the door closing. The light comes on, and a few moments later, I hear the water turn on as well. I’m tempted to join her, but I’m exhausted, and I don’t want her to think that I gave her that key so I could use her as a booty call. Not that we’ve gone that far yet. The past week, anytime we’re together, my hands are all over her, and vice versa, but I have yet to feel her pussy wrapped around my cock. We’re taking it slow, and that’s okay. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
I want this to last.
I want us to last.
As she promised, her shower is quick. Not five minutes later, the light under the door disappears, and the sound of the door opening filters through the room. The covers lift and she slides in next to me, her bare, freshly showered skin against mine.
“You sleep naked?” she asks as she settles in next to me.
“Yes.”
“Always? Or did you do this because I was here?”
“Not always, but I took a shower when I got home and just bypassed underwear.”
She’s quiet for several minutes. Her breathing evens out, and I’m sure she’s fallen asleep at least until she asks, “Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?”
I tighten my arms around her. “It’s more than okay. There is nothing better than you sleeping in my arms.”
More silence. I close my eyes and start to drift when I hear her voice. “Deacon?”
“Hmm?”
“I never want this to end.”
“Me neither, baby. Me neither.” I kiss the top of her head, and together we let sleep take us.
nineteen
Ramsey
“How are you so good at this?” I ask Palmer.
She shrugs. “It’s a natural talent.” She follows up with a teasing wink.
“I feel sorry for your future husband,” Deacon says. He’s standing next to me with his arm casually thrown over my shoulder.
Palmer wags her eyebrows at him. “Damn right.”
“You need another beer?” Deacon asks.
“No, I’m trying to pace myself.” What I don’t tell him is that I want more than just heavy petting from him tonight, and I know if he thinks that I’m the least bit drunk, he’s going to shut me down. “A water would be good.”
“You got it.” He kisses my temple. “Palmer?”
“I’m good. Thanks.” She holds up her half-empty water bottle. She waits until he’s out of earshot before turning to me. “How’s that going?”
“Good.” I don’t bother to hide my smile.
“Just good?”
“He’s… everything, Palmer.”
Her grin matches mine. “I’m happy for you. For both of you. I just wish you two stubborn asses would have let me fix you up with each other sooner.”
I laugh. “I don’t know that I would have been ready sooner. He might not have been either.”