Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
I can’t walk away from this man. I’m in too deep. But he hasn't asked me to stay either. I think I’m holding out hope that he’s going to beg me to stay. What if this only turns out to be a fling for him, and I end up passing up an opportunity of lifetime? Normally I would lay all the cards out on the table. I would ask and want answers.
I’m afraid of those answers when it comes to him. So I keep on kissing him. I have right now, and right now his mouth is on mine, and I don’t want to think about anything else.
11
BARROW
“He’s a wild animal.” I glare at Leonard as Bells cuddles up next to him in our bed.
“He’s a sweetheart.” She scratches the top of his head as he stares at me with his smug feline eyes.
“He’s dangerous.”
“This little guy?” she asks in a baby talk voice that sends visions of actual babies dancing through my head. Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to see her stomach round with my child while love shines in her eyes. My heart seems to thump twice as hard just thinking about it.
“What’s wrong?” She sits up, concern on her face.
“What?”
“You got this look on your face, and it seemed like your eyes were watering a little so I—”
“What? No.” I swipe at my eyes. “Of course not.”
“Okay?” She doesn’t sound convinced, but she lies back and takes one of Leonard’s massive murder mittens into her hands and inspects it. “You need your nails done, young man. These are a mess.” She presses on the pad of his paw, and his claws shoot out, sharper than any knife I’ve ever had. “Yes, you need a pawdicure,” she coos.
He starts purring, and it’s like the motor of a beat-up Chevy. I roll my eyes. I need this cat out of my bed and away from my woman.
“Leonard.” I step closer to the bed.
His purr turns into a low growl.
“Noooo.” She kisses his whiskers right beside his nose. “Barrow’s our friend, okay? No growling among friends.”
He stops growling and flops back on the bed, stretching out beside Bells and closing his eyes.
I scrub a hand down my face. “He needs to be outside. He’s wild. He could claw your face off at any minute.”
“No way.” She scratches his belly, and his hind leg kicks a little bit like a dog. “See? He’s fine.”
I sit on the bed beside her and cup her face in my hands. “If he hurts you, I’ll have to put him d—”
“He won’t.” She gives me a decisive nod. “Please just let him stay for a little while?”
I sigh, finally relenting. “I thought you hated him.”
“I was a little mad, but he’s so sweet. I’m sure he didn’t cause that wreck on purpose. Besides, it’s what brought me to you.” She bites her lip, and her eyes lower, as if she feels she’s said too much.
“That’s true.” I tilt her chin back up. “He did bring you to me, so I guess he’s not all bad.”
She smiles, and I can’t get enough of it. The happiness inside her lights up the room and my entire world. I kiss her, gently at first. She answers and throws her arms around my neck.
“I knew you’d let him stay,” she whispers against my lips.
“I’d do anything you asked me to, beautiful. You should know that by now.” I pull her into my lap and kiss her more deeply.
Leonard stirs, gives us a look, then jumps from the bed with a huff and pads out into the hallway. I stand with Bells in my arms and walk over to kick the door shut. Good riddance.
“I thought you were going to let him—”
“Watch me worship your body? No thanks.” I lay her back down as a strangled scream comes from someone down the hall.
Bells tries to sit up.
I splay my hand on her chest and push her down. “You said he’s fine.” I smirk.
She tries to frown, but then I suck her nipple through the fabric of my shirt. “Barrow,” she cries and grips my shoulders.
“I didn’t get to finish our little discussion from the shower.” I pull her back up and strip my shirt away from her beautiful body.
Then I toss my clothes along with hers in a pile on the floor. Easing her back on the bed, I glance at the bump on her head. It’s gone down so much over the past few days that I’ve been leaving off the gauze wrap.
“Quit worrying over me.” She leans up and nips my chin. “It doesn’t hurt, my balance is a lot better, I’m all good.” She puts her palm to my cheek. “I’m ready.”
Ready? Something pops in my brain when she uses that word. My thought of putting a baby in her to keep her here resurfaces, and I swallow that idea back down. It’s not right. Even if it makes my dick rock hard and my heart pound, it’s not right.