Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 23865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“True,” he concedes. “But you’re of age now, so there isn’t anything stopping you from living with me. Is there?”
I mull it over for a minute, thinking about my tiny studio apartment in a not-so great neighborhood. Do I really want to turn down the opportunity to live in a gorgeous beach house just to go back there? “Okay, I’ll move in.”
“I’m glad you see it my way.” His smile turns triumphant, even though he tries to hide it. “Now, what else from the addendum is bothering you?”
“I don’t have a problem with the part about not touching other men.” His dark eyes burn into mine, and I have the feeling that I’d better change the topic fast because any talk of other guys is a hot button for him. If he knew how inexperienced I am, he’d understand how much of a non-issue it is. “But the guardianship thing is pushing it.”
“Will it really be so bad, letting me shoulder the burden for you? I know it sounds kind of extreme, handing a lot of decisions over to me. But I would never do anything that isn’t in your best interests. Your safety and well-being are all that matters to me, little starlet.” He sweeps his arm in a half-circle in front of him. “Now that I’ve finally found you after searching for so long, all this doesn’t mean shit without you by my side.”
“Whoa.” I’m so blown away by his declaration that I’m not sure what to say. He scoots over and pats the middle of the lounger. Heaving a deep sigh, I drop down next to him. “Do you really mean that?”
“Every single word,” he confirms as he tugs me closer. “I know I’m coming on strong—”
“Strong?” I snort. “More like a bulldozer.”
He swings a leg over my head and wraps his arms around me, pulling me close until I’m sitting between his spread legs. My back is pressed against his chest, and he rests his chin on my head. “Yeah, well it worked for my brother when he found his wife, so I guess I figured it could work for us too.”
I tilt my head back to look up at him. “Did your sister-in-law move in with him the day they met and let him decide everything for her?”
“Yup.”
My eyes widen in shock. “For real?”
“Theo basically didn’t let Shelby leave the house until she had his ring on her finger and his baby in her belly.” His hand slips down to cover my stomach, and it feels like butterflies take flight inside me. “Once that was accomplished, he eased up on her a little.”
“Wow,” I breathe. “That’s a lot to take in. Kinda like your demands.”
“I’m only ever going to be open, honest, and real with you, Nicole. In this crazy world we live in, it’s the only chance we have to make it as a couple.”
A couple.
Austin Hayes is talking about the two of us...in a relationship. He’s handing me a leading role in a major motion picture and him as my boyfriend on a silver platter. It’s everything I’ve ever fantasized about, and here I am arguing with him over the details. As drastic as the terms he added into the addendum are, it’s not like they’re forever. Just for the term of the contract. I can live with most of what he’s asking of me for that long. And afterwards, hopefully we’ll have built something lasting between us that will have made the risk well worth it. “Assuming I’m cool with everything else, what’s this about you being able to punish me however you see fit?”
He grasps me by the waist and easily lifts me, turning me so that I end up straddling his legs which are spread wide with his feet on the ground. Which means, I’m completely open to him and if my skirt bunches any higher, he’ll be able to see my panties.
Once he has me settled where he wants me, he looks deep into my eyes. “Like I said before, you’re all that matters to me. I’m not going to fuck that up by hurting you. I’m also not going to let you do anything to put us at risk either. If you mess up, there’ll be consequences. But they’ll be ones you’re willing to take from me.” He flashes me a devilish grin. “Give it a chance. You might find you like what I dole out so much that you break a smaller rule on purpose just to feel the smack of my hand on your pert little ass.”
He’s talking about spanking me. To my surprise, the thought of it turns me on instead of making me want to run in the opposite direction. Austin’s eyes darken with desire, as though he knows exactly what’s going through my head. His hand slides down to my butt, and I shiver when he squeezes a cheek. “Oh, yeah. You’re more than okay with the methods of punishment I’m going to choose. Aren’t you?”