Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“I’m working on it.”
“I know you are, and I know it’s not easy, but for her sake and yours, you’re going to have to work a little harder.” With my jaw tight, I jerk up my chin and watch him stand. “I’m going to wake up my wife. You should go for a run before Hanna gets up.”
I don’t respond. I watch him head into the house, and then I turn toward the water.
Even knowing he’s right, that I need to relax and loosen my grasp I have on her, I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that. I keep waiting for the fear that has got a hold of me to subside but it hasn’t, not even a little. Hearing the sliding glass door open, I turn, and my muscles relax when I watch the beautiful woman who owns ever single inch of me step outside, looking rumpled from sleep and absolutely adorable in my shirt.
“Hey.” She walks toward me slowly with a soft look of concern on her face. Leaning back in my seat, I make room for her, and she turns, settling on my lap with her head on my chest under my chin.
“You’re up early.”
“You weren’t there, and I hate being in bed without you.” She grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together before resting them on her stomach. “I got up and opened the bedroom window to let in some air before it gets too hot. I… I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but heard my dad’s and your conversation,” she admits softly, and my muscles tense. “He’s wrong, you know.” She pulls her head back, and I dip my chin to meet her gaze.
“You don’t make me feel stifled, and my wanting to go back to work isn’t because I need to get away from you. I just want us to find normal again. And I want you to stop living every second feeling like something is going to happen to me if I’m out of your sight.”
“I don’t like you being far away.”
“I know, and I’m willing to compromise with you for a little longer.” Untangling her fingers from mine, she moves her hand to my jaw. “But I am gonna go back to work at least for a few more months. And I know it won’t be easy, but I think in the long run it will help, and eventually, you’ll feel better. Then we’ll get back to arguing over things like what to name our baby, since you don’t like Luna or Draco.”
“I love you. You know that, right?”
“I know, and even though your protectiveness is annoying from time to time, I get it, and I’m not going anywhere. So don’t let what my dad said get in your head.” She leans up and touches her mouth to mine, then asks when she pulls back, “How many houses are on your list for today?”
I had about a dozen, but if I’m going to give her what she needs, I need to start doing that now in the ways I can.
“You said you loved the first house we looked at—the one with the pool?”
“The pool you said would be a hazard when the baby started to walk, you mean? Yes. I adored it.”
“How about we go look at that one again?” I ask, ignoring the sarcasm in her tone.
“You’re sure?” She raises a brow.
“When the time comes, I can add some door sensors and other precautions around the pool, so it’ll be safe,” I mutter.
“See?” She grins, patting my cheek. “We’re going to be just fine.”
“Where are you going?” I grab her hand when she starts to slide off my lap.
Looking down at me over her shoulder, a sexy smirk touches her lips. “I thought you said you needed to shower.”
“Right, I forgot I mentioned that.” I fold out of my chair and follow her into the house, where I fuck her in the shower up against the tile while I swallow her moans so her parents won’t hear.
CHAPTER 28
walker
Outside, I stand with Hanna tucked up against my side and watch my sister and her man, Tucker, who has my nephew on his hip, walk down to greet my parents after they park their large motor home in the driveway of his lake house here in Tennessee. It’s a spot that had me questioning my decision to settle in Florida, even with the contract signed on the house Hanna fell in love with. It’s the same house that was at first glance a firm no for me, because of the location of the pool, surrounded by glass doors, in the center of the home.
Watching Miranda look up at her man while my nephew talks his ear off, I smile at the three of them. When she told me she’d started dating so soon after getting a divorce and that the man was a police officer like her ex, I had serious reservations about her new relationship. But after spending the last twenty-four hours with them and seeing them together, I’m happy as fuck for her.